Health Canada has granted approval for the testing of a birth control vaccine on free-roaming horses in Alberta. The Alberta government deems it necessary to control horse populations to prevent overgrazing in certain areas. One of the strategies outlined in the province’s feral horse management framework is the use of contraception, alongside removal and adoption.
In late August, Health Canada confirmed that the Alberta government obtained a “research authorization” to use the SpayVac-Equid contraception vaccine on feral horses. This authorization is for study purposes and does not permit general use. Alberta is currently reviewing the approval details related to horse contraception and is working with stakeholders to implement management actions in a safe and science-based manner.
A recent feral horse survey identified 2,072 wild horses in Alberta’s equine management zones, the highest count ever recorded. The province considers these horses as stray animals rather than wildlife. To address the population issue, a new strategy is being developed in collaboration with the Wild Horses of Alberta Society.
In 2014, a contraception pilot project was initiated to assess the effectiveness of birth control in population control. The previous vaccine, ZonaStat-H, was found to be costly and challenging to administer due to rough terrains. Research suggests that a large percentage of female horses would need to receive contraception for a noticeable reduction in population.
The new plan involves capturing horses, administering the vaccine manually, and releasing them back into the wild. The SpayVac-Equid vaccine has a high success rate, prevents conception for several years, and does not impact herd dynamics. Unlike the previous vaccine, SpayVac-Equid does not require booster shots.
The Wild Horses of Alberta Society aims to launch the contraception project this fall as part of a comprehensive population control strategy, which may also involve removing a limited number of young stallions from the wild. The society has been actively rescuing and rehabilitating horses since 2002, with over 200 horses taken in for adoption.
