Health Canada has given the green light for a birth control vaccine trial on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The Alberta government is concerned about the escalating horse populations in certain areas, deeming them “unacceptable.” To manage this issue and prevent overgrazing on cattle and wildlife territories, the province has included contraception as part of its feral horse management plan. Alongside contraceptive measures, strategies such as wild horse removal and adoption are also outlined in the framework.
In late August, Health Canada granted a “research authorization” for the use of the SpayVac-Equid contraception vaccine on feral horses. This authorization allows for the study of the product’s effectiveness but does not constitute general approval for its widespread use. The Alberta government is currently assessing the specifics of this approval concerning horse contraception.
The most recent feral horse survey in Alberta revealed a record 2,072 wild horses across six equine management zones, with populations in certain zones considered unsustainable. The province views these horses as strays rather than wildlife. In 2014, the province and the Wild Horses of Alberta Society initiated a contraception pilot project using a vaccine called ZonaStat-H, which showed some success but posed challenges due to high costs and rugged terrains.
The new strategy involves capturing horses, administering the SpayVac-Equid vaccine manually, and releasing them back into the wild with visible markings for identification. This method, according to Wild Horses of Alberta Society president Jack Nichol, boasts a success rate of 85 to 95%, prevents conception for several years, and maintains herd dynamics without necessitating booster shots.
Nichol expressed that the goal is to launch the contraception project in the upcoming fall as part of a comprehensive population control plan, which includes capturing select young stallions for removal. The Wild Horses of Alberta Society continues its efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses that stray onto private properties, with over 200 horses assisted since its establishment in 2002.
