Dobbin Summit Wild Horse Territory

The Dobbin Summit Wild Horse Territory (WHT) is administered by the Austin/Tonopah Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Location/Habitat

The Dobbin Summit WHT is located in Nevada approximately 50 miles southwest of Eureka. The territory consists of about 51,000 acres of National Forest land and lies in the middle of the Monitor Mountain Range.

Topography is steep canyons, rocky ridges, open meadows. There are good springs and creeks supplying water in the territory. Elevations range from 7000 to over 10,000 feet. The climate is represented by hot, dry summers and cold winters. Temperatures range from below zero in the winter to 90°+ F in the summer. Average annual precipitation is 5-12 inches.

Vegetation includes wet and dry meadow communities, sagebrush communities, pinyon-juniper communities, and aspen communities.

Wildlife include elk, mule deer, coyote, and mountain lion.

Livestock grazing is permitted within the territory.

History

Although Spaniards brought horses with them to the Nevada area in the 16 th and 17 th centuries, it is believed that most of the wild horses in Central Nevada are descendants of horses that strayed or were abandoned by their owners during the mining booms and the settlements of homesteads in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Prior to the passing of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, it was common practice for local ranchers to periodically release studs with “good blood” to “upgrade” the herds. Roundups would occasionally be held and suitable animals would either be sold or kept on the ranch, trained, and used as cow ponies.

Herd Description

Wild horses in the Dobbin Summit WHT are primarily bays and sorrels.

For More Information

Contact the Austin Ranger District at 775-964-2671.

Last modified: Monday, 05-Dec-2005 12:18:27 EST