Health Canada has granted approval for the testing of a birth control vaccine on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The province’s concern over high horse populations impacting grazing areas for cattle and wildlife has led to the consideration of various population control strategies, including contraception, removal, and adoption. The recent approval for research on the contraceptive vaccine SpayVac-Equid was received by the Alberta government in late August, with Health Canada clarifying that the authorization is for study purposes and not general use.
A recent feral horse survey in Alberta identified a record-high count of 2,072 wild horses in six equine management zones, with some zones showing unsustainable population levels. The province views these horses as stray animals rather than wildlife. In an effort to address the population issue, a new strategy involving a contraception pilot project with the Wild Horses of Alberta Society aims to administer the vaccine manually and release the horses back into the wild with identifying marks.
This updated approach, supported by Wild Horses of Alberta Society president Jack Nichol, boasts a high success rate of 85 to 95 percent, prevents conception for several years, and maintains herd dynamics. Unlike previous methods, the SpayVac-Equid vaccine does not require booster shots. Nichol emphasized the importance of managing horse populations without drastic measures and highlighted the society’s efforts in rescuing and rehoming horses that stray onto private property. The upcoming contraception project is part of a comprehensive population control strategy that includes capturing young stallions for removal from the wild.