GonaCon
The wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) have been the guinea pigs for TWO GonaCon experiments. Park management worked with Colorado State University from 2009-2020 on two different experiments on these horses. These experiments were funded largely by the BLM. The park has released the past GonCon schedule for the horses that are still alive in TRNP as of October of 2024 when they rounded the horses up with helicopters and once again hand injected mares with this sterilant. You can view all of the roundup reports here: https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/nature/feral-horses.htm
This page will give you links to documents that discuss GonaCon on wild horses and also show the impacts that GonaCon has had on the TRNP mares over the years.
We have also set up a “one-click” Call to Action for you so that you can let management at the National Park Service and Senator Hoeven’s office know that you oppose the continued use of GonaCon on this herd! You can send this email every day if you choose! You can send the email here: https://secure.everyaction.com/7exTfk62vU6c0On_NDNIfA2
The page will be updated regularly, so be sure to check back.
CHWHA hosted a horse talk with Dr. Dan Baker, lead researcher from Colorado State University. You can view the talk on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/kdLHvgVmIuw
Watch Ginger Fedak’s presentation from our 2025 virtual summit on GonaCon: https://youtu.be/H0iigWwM9WE
In 2018, a research paper was released entitled “Genetic Diversity and the origin of the feral horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park” You can read the entire report here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200795
In 2023, another research paper was released entitled “Reimmunization intervals for application of GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-roaming horses (Equus ferus caballus) using syringe darts” You can read the report here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6067756/
Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, was a researcher on both papers.
Written testimony from Erik Molvar from Western Watersheds Project at the committee hearing for North Dakota SB 2331. WWP does not take a stance for or against wild horses BUT they do have concerns about the “heavy handed” use of GonaCon on this herd. You can read Erik’s full testimony here:
AWHC’s report on GonaCon updated 1/2024
Colorado State University’s Project Proposal to the BLM for 2015-2020.
WH&B SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE/PROGRESS REPORT from CSU/TRNP 4/17-10/17
BLM Wild Horse and Burro Research Background Materials for Advisory Board, June 2021
FOIA Documents obtained by AWHC regarding the use of GonaCon in the TRNP herd
TRNP Mares and their GonaCon stories
Dr. Jenny Powers, was Dr. Baker’s right hand during the experiment and coincidentally was also an employee of the NPS during the GonaCon experiment. In the Civic Engagement meeting hosted by Theodore Roosevelt National Park on 3/30/2022, the question was asked: “Is there actual proof to the public that any of the horses have been in any way sterilized by the GonaCon?”
Dr. Jenny Powers was asked to respond to this question, which she did rather eloquently:
“Good question. We do have a couple of published papers showing that GonaCon is reversible, meaning that animals return to fertility post vaccination. However, with any individual animal it is possible that they could be permanently sterilized, and it is unknown at this time if our current herd has sterilized individuals or not. We’d have to play out the rest of their reproductive lives to know that.”
By the park’s own definition, we have separated the TRNP mares into mares who have lived out their reproductive lives that we KNOW the park sterilized with GonaCon. We also have a section of mares who appear to currently be “infertile” and a section of mares who are non-responders to GonaCon. The last section are mares that the park has taken off future GonaCon treatments.
Mares that were permanently STERILIZED through the use of GonaCon
Mare Molly was born in 2002. In 2009 she became part of the original GonaCon experiment. She was hand injected with GonaCon during the round up in 2009. She was hand injected with GonaCon again during the 2013 round up.
Molly last foaled in 2014 to a filly that was given the name Opal.
Molly died in September of 2020 and never returned to fertility. By the park’s definition above, Molly was permanently sterilized with GonaCon.
FUN FACT: Molly’s daughter – Mare Opal was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Mare Tanker was born in 2001. In 2009 she became part of the original GonaCon experiment. She was hand injected with GonaCon during the round up in 2009. She was hand injected with GonaCon again during the 2013 round up.
Tanker last foaled in 2012.
Tanker died in February of 2025 and never returned to fertility. By the park’s definition above, Tanker was permanently sterilized with GonaCon.
Mare Flicka was born in 1996. In 2009 she became part of the original GonaCon experiment. She was hand injected with GonaCon during the round up in 2009. She was hand injected with GonaCon again during the 2013 round up.
Flicka last foaled in 2014.
Flicka died in July of 2021 and never returned to fertility. By the park’s definition above, Flicka was permanently sterilized with GonaCon.
Mares that were part of the ORGINAL GonaCon experiment.
These mares were all hand injected with GonaCon in 2009 and 2013. When the experiment FINALLY ended in 2020, these mares STILL had not returned to fertility. We expect them to be added to the STERILE list when they reach the end of their reproductive lives.
Sundance was born in 2005 to the Mare Shale and the late, GREAT, Stallion Double Trouble.
Sundance is one of the original mares that were given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and then again in 2013.
Sundance will be 20 years old in 2025! According to records the park shared with the public, Sundance has had 5 foals since 2009. One ONE remains: Mare Firefly. All of the others were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Sundance has not foaled since 2014, after the second dose of GonaCon kicked in. The park felt it necessary to give Sundance additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 & 2024.
FUN FACT: Sundance’s daughter – Mare Firefly was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Meet Winter!
Winter was born in 2004 to the Mare 95 Gray and Stallion Lindbo Blue.
Winter is one of the original mares that was hand injected with GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013 and is one of the 19 of 24 mares that STILL has not returned to fertility.
According to park records, Winter foaled in 2010 and 2012. Neither of those horses are in the park today.
Winter received additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Winter has not foaled since 2012.
Spotted Blue was born in 2005 to Mare Sweetheart and Stallion Singlefoot. She is the late Mare Sweetheart’s ONLY offspring still in the park.
According to records released from the park, Spotted Blue was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Spotted Blue gave birth to 5 foals from 2009-2014. Of those 5 babies, only Mare Taylor still remains in the park today.
Spotted Blue has not foaled since 2014.
FUN FACT: Spotted Blue’s daughter – Mare Taylor was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Snip’s Gray was born in 2001 to Mare Gray Lady and Stallion Snip.
According to records released from the park, Snip’s Gray was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Snip’s Gray gave birth to 5 foals from 2009-2014. Of those 5 babies, only Mare Valentina still remains in the park today.
Snip’s Gray has not foaled since 2014.
Meet Busy Blue!
Busy Blue was born in 2000 to Mare Piebald Black and Stallion Lindbo Blue.
Busy Blue was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment that received a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013.
According to park records shared with the public, between 2009-2014, Busy Blue foaled 5 times. Of those 5 babies, 2 remain. The others were all captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Busy Blue has the following offspring in the park:
2006 Mare Escape
2007 Mare Maddie
2010 Mare Maiden
2013 Stallion Trooper
Busy Blue has received 2 additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024. She has not foaled since 2014.
Meet Blue!
Blue was born in 2007 to Mare Small Star and Stallion Red Face.
Blue was also one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment she received a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013.
According to park records shared with the public, Blue foaled in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. ONLY ONE of those “babies” is still in the park today – 2014 Mare Velvet.
Blue received additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024. Blue last foaled in 2014.
FUN FACT: Blue’s daughter – Mare Velvet was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Blondie was born in 2005 to The Rose Gray Mare. Her sire has never been identified.
According to records released from the park, Blondie was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Blondie gave birth to 3 foals from 2009-2014. They were all captured and sold and Blondie has NO offspring that remain in the park.
Blondie has not foaled since 2013.
Mist was born in 2005 to Mare Old Bay Roan and Stallion Embers.
According to records released from the park, Mist was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Mist foaled in 2020 for the first time since 2014.
According to records released by the park, Mist gave birth to 4 foals from 2009-2014. NONE of those foals are still in the park today. Mist’s ONLY offspring is her 2020 baby Mare Misty Blue.
Mist has not foaled since 2020.
Escape was born in 2006 to Mare Busy Blue and the late, Great Stallion Cocoa.
Escape is one of the original mares that were hand injected with GonaCon in 2009 and 2013. According to park records, Escape has had a total of 5 GonaCon injections. Park records show that Escape foaled in 2010, 2011 and 2012. ONLY Stallion Ollie Jr remains as Escapes ONLY offspring. Her other injections of GonaCon came in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Escape never foaled after the hand injection of GonaCon in 2013. She is one of the 19 of 24 mares who has not returned to fertility.
Escape is the model for what the park is aiming for. Blake also told us that although they used GonaCon so aggressively in 2024, they plan to be back at it in 2025 as they plan to “Halt reproduction of this herd.”
Meet Cedar!
Cedar was born in 2007 Mare Rain and Stallion Thunder.
Cedar was part of the original GonaCon experiment. That means she was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and another hand injection in 2013. She is one of the 19 mares out of the 24 that were treated this way that has NOT returned to fertility.
Cedar had one foal that was born in 2013. That foal was captured and sold. Cedar has not foaled since.
To make sure she doesn’t, the park gave her 2 additional GonaCon injections in 2020 and 2024.
Meet Flame!
Flame was born in 2000 to the Mare Light Red Roan and Stallion Smokie.
Flame was one of the original mares who was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013. Flame also received additional doses of GonaCon in 2020, 2022 and 2024. She was one of the mares who DID return to fertility. She gave birth to Mare Little Mo in 2020 and has not foaled since.
Flame has 6 offspring still in the park: Mare Diamond, Mare Emmylou, Stallion Flax, Mare Little Moe – AND Mare Pretty Girl – you remember – the one with the “special” DNA!
Flame has had other foals over the years. They have all been captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Little Brother’s Girl was born in 2004 to Mare Pale Lady and Stallion Little Brother.
According to records released from the park, Little Brother’s Girl was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Little Brother’s Girl gave birth to 4 foals from 2009-2014. Of those 4 babies, only Stallion Remington still remains in the park today.
Little Brother’s Girl has not foaled since 2014.
Meet Diamond!
Diamond was born in 2006 Mare Flame and Stallion Embers.
Diamond was part of the original GonaCon experiment. That means she was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and another hand injection in 2013. She is one of the 19 mares out of the 24 that were treated this way that has NOT returned to fertility.
DIAMOND HAS NEVER FOALED!
To make sure she doesn’t, the park gave her 2 additional GonaCon injections in 2020 and 2024.
Meet Shale!
Shale was born in 2002 to the late Mare Lacey and the late Stallion Double Trouble.
Shale is one of the original mares that was hand injected with GonaCon in 2009 and given a second hand injection in 2013. She was given additional doses in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Shale foaled in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2021. Four of her “babies” still remain in the park: TeePee, Sundance, Nicols and Finn. The rest were auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Shale IS one of the 19 out of 24 mares that DID briefly return to fertility. The continued use of GonaCon has changed that. Shale has not foaled since 2021.
Shale has shown how the use of GonaCon changes the behavior of the mares. While in Stallion Teton’s band with her then 5 year old “baby” Nicols, Shale chose to leave the band with Nicols when Teton was finally successful kicking Nicols out of the band. We have seen the same behavior from other mares who have not had babies.
Daisy was born in 2006 to the late Mare Chubby and the late Stallion Curious George. For those of you who ask – Daisy is the half sister to the late Stallion Circus – who has NO OFFSPRING left in the park after DECADES of mismanagement of this herd.
Daisy is one of the 19 of 24 mares who have NOT returned to fertility! She was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013. She had her last foal, Mare Eagle, in 2013 and has not foaled since. The park has recently decided to take Eagle off birth control. Mare Lakota is also another Daisy “baby” in the park. Lakota has no offspring and has not foaled since 2013 and her baby was captured and sold.
Daisy also received 2 more injections of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Maggie was born in 2007 to Mare Flicka and Stallion Curious George.
According to records released from the park, Maggie was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Maggie gave birth to 3 foals from 2009-2014. ONLY Mare Mischief still remains in the park.
Maggie has not foaled since 2013.
FUN FACT: Maggie’s daughter – Mare Mischief was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Maddie was born in 2007 to Mare Busy Blue and Stallion Cocoa.
According to records released from the park, Maddie was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
According to records released by the park, Maddie gave birth to 2 foals from 2009-2014. NONE of those foals are still in the park today.
Maddie has not foaled since 2011.
Mares that are currently INFERTILE because of the use of GonaCon (we expect some of these to be added to the STERILE list as they live out their reproductive lives)
Emmylou was born to Mare Flame and the late, GREAT, Stallion Red Face in 2014!
Emmylou was born during the 2nd phase of the GonaCon experiment at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They needed more mares to test different intervals for efficacy of the drug.
According to park records that were shared with the public, Emmylou was given her first dose of GonaCon when she was 1 years old in 2015. She was given a 2nd dose in 2016.
She has since received 2 additional does in 2019 & 2024.
Emmylou has NEVER foaled.
Trinity was born to Mare TeePee and Stallion Teton in September of 2023.
Trinity has only had 1 dose of GonaCon in her short life!
Don’t worry, Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, said they would continue their aggressive use of GonaCon in 2025 – and he specifically talked about the 2024 fillies that were too young during the wild horse roundup in October and younger horses, like Trinity, who would need another dose.
He very clearly said that they are trying to halt reproduction of this herd.
Penny was born in 2014 to Mare Angel and the late, GREAT, Stallion Copper.
Penny is one of two offspring that her mom, Mare Angel, still has living in TRNP.
This beautiful mare has had 5 doses of GonaCon. Her first was in 2015 when she was just a year old. Her next injection was the following year. She DID foal in 2017 and has not had any recorded births since, according to the park’s records. She was given 3 additional doses of GonaCon in 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Since she is one of two offspring for Mare Angel, it seems like she would have been a good choice for being taken off GonaCon. But then again, THREE of the FIVE mares that were taken off GonaCon came from Stallion Copper’s line!
Grace was born in 2014 to Mare Bella and Stallion Sidekick. She is currently in Stallion Gunner’s band.
According to park records. Grace has received 7 GonaCon injections! She received her first as a 1 year old when she became part of the experiment by Colorado State University. She received a 2nd dose the following year in 2016. According to park records, the park claims that Grace foaled in 2019, although no other pages that document the horses ever recorded this birth.
We DO know that Grace foaled in 2021 when she gave birth to a colt that was given the name Black Hawk.
Grace was then injected with GonaCon in 2022, 2023, 2024 and just to be sure they REALLY “halted reproduction” in this SPECIFIC mare – she also got a hand injection of GonaCon in 2024
AND
In case this 10 year old having 7 injections of GonaCon wasn’t enough, during the October 2024 wild horse roundup, Grace was also fitted with a tracking collar. (as a reminder, our petition asking for these collars to be removed is still open! You can sign it here: https://secure.everyaction.com/x-5WrjPo20Cb4LGbj5PD-A2 )
Dixie was born in 2014 to Mare Firefly and the late, GREAT Stallion Silver. She is currently in Stallion Amantes band.
According to park records. Grace has received 5 GonaCon injections! She received her first as a 1 year old when she became part of the experiment by Colorado State University. She received a 2nd dose the following year in 2016. Dixie had her ONLY foal, Filly Moana, in 2017. Moana was captured and sold and Dixie received GonaCon injections in 2019 and again in 2024.
In case this 10 year old having 5 injections of GonaCon and having her ONLY foal captured and sold from the park wasn’t enough, during the October 2024 wild horse roundup, Dixie was also fitted with a tracking collar. (as a reminder, our petition asking for these collars to be removed is still open! You can sign it here: https://secure.everyaction.com/x-5WrjPo20Cb4LGbj5PD-A2 )
Tess was born in 2021 to Mare Indian Paint Brush and Stallion Teton.
Tess received her first dose of GonaCon when she was a year old in 2022. She has had a total of FOUR GonaCon doses in her 4 years of life! That includes a hand injection at the helicopter roundup that took place in October of 2024!
Tess has never foaled.
Juniper was born in 2011 to the late, GREAT, Mare Stormy and the late, Great Stallion Cocoa.
Juniper received her first dose of GonaCon when she was 2 years old in 2013. She received a 2nd dose in 2015. She also foaled in 2015 and had another foal in 2016. None of her offspring remain in the park today. She also received 2 additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Juniper has not foaled since 2016.
Annabella was born in 2020 to Mare Bella and the late Stallion Sidekick.
Annabella has received 5 doses of GonaCon including a hand injection at the helicopter roundup in October of 2024. Annabella has received GonaCon every year since she was 1 year old!
Annabella did foal in 2022 to a colt named Noble. She was likely already pregnant when she was darted.
She has not foaled since and the hand injection she received at the roundup in October gives GonaCon a greater efficacy.
Meet Cowgirl!
Cowgirl was born in 2010 to Mare Bentonite and Stallion High Star.
According to park records, Cowgirl has received 5 doses of GonaCon in her life: 2013, 2015, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
She has been recorded to have had 2 foals in her life. Only 2014 Stallion Xander remains in the park.
Cowgirl has not foaled since 2016.
Meet River!
River was born in 2006 to Mare Frosty and the late Stallion Singlefoot.
River was one of the mares that was NOT given GonaCon during the two experiments that happened from 2009-2020. This means River was allowed to foal every year.
And foal she did!
According to park records, River had 10 foals from 2009-2021. The ONLY one that remains is Mare Bayou. Her foals in 2019 and 2021 died shortly after they were born.
River received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, 2024 AND she also received a hand injection of GonaCon when the park used helicopters to round up the herd in 2024.
River has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Lorelye!
Lorelye was born in 2020 to Mare Lorena and Stallion Wild Rye.
According to park records, Lorelye was first given GonaCon in 2021 as a 1-year-old. She was given another dose in 2022 and 2024.
Lorelye has never foaled.
Meet Perdita!
Perdita was born in 2017 to Mare Pretty Girl and the late Stallion Red Face.
Perdita is SPECIAL!
In case you missed it, here is why…
A report that the park put out in 2018 stated that there were 2 horses that were kept in the park that were born in 2017 because of their mitochondrial DNA. NOTE: There were 30 live births in the park that year – ONLY 2 horses remain!
Perdita is one.
The mitochondrial DNA research on these TRNP horses show that they share female ancestry with Asian, middle East, and Italian horse DNA. That sequence follows the migration patterns of humans and animals.
This proves that the starting point for horses is and will always be the North American continent and that proof is right here within the DNA of these two beautiful mares that currently still call TRNP home.
See?
We told you Perdita was special!
How does the park treat such a special mare?
Perdita was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 and then again in 2021, 2023, 2024 – which – you probably guessed it – includes a hand injection of GonaCon during the helicopter roundup in October 2024.
In spite of getting at least 4-5 doses of GonaCon, Perdita has had 4 foals – all of whom are still in the park.
Instead of trying PZP on Perdita, she was probably one of the mares that the park considered removing because she is a non-responder to GonaCon.
CHWHA stopped the park’s plans to remove ANY horses during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
So much for being SPECIAL!
Rosie was born in 2004 her parents are unknown
According to records released from the park, Rosie was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment that DID NOT receive GonaCon. This meant that she was able to foal every year – and foal she did! Rosie gave birth to 12 foals between 2009-2021! Only 4 of those babies remain in the park today: Stallion Aloe, Stallion Teton, Stallion Wild Rye and Mare Paige. Her colt that was born in 2021, that was given the name Jackson, died shortly after his birth as he “failed to thrive”.
Rosie received her first dose of GonaCon in 2019 and received additional doses in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Rosie has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Bluff!
Bluff was born in 2020 to the Mare Firefly and the Stallion Frontier.
According to records from the park that were released to the public, Bluff received her first dose of GonaCon in 2022. She received a 2nd dose in 2024.
Bluff has had no documented foals.
Meet Ruby!
Ruby was born in 2006 to the late Mare Grandma Roan and the late Stallion Little Sorrel. No other horses in this herd have Grandma Roan as a mother.
Ruby was one of the mares that were in the original GonaCon experiment that DID NOT get injected with GonaCon.
According to park records shared with the public, Ruby has had 9 – NINE – babies since 2011. Only 2 still remain in the park today: Mare Holly and Stallion Apex. All Ruby’s other “babies” were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Ruby did not receive her first dose of GonaCon until 2019. The park apparently wants to make sure she NEVER foals again because Ruby has received additional GonaCon does in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 – including a hand injection at the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
REMEMBER: One of the BIGGEST selling points of GonaCon is that management would NOT have to inject mares EVERY YEAR!
Then why is Theodore Roosevelt National Park treating mares with GonaCon every year? We have asked with no response. You can try contacting the park yourself and asking.
We believe it MIGHT have something to do with Chief of Resource Management’s words telling us that the park wants to “HALT THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS HERD.”
Meet Betty Blue!
Betty Blue was born in 2006 to Mare Bella and the late Stallion High Star.
According to TRNP records shared with the public, Betty Blue was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment administered by TRNP and Colorado State University.
Betty Blue was given her first dose of GonaCon by hand injection in 2009. She was hand injected with GonaCon again in 2013.
Park records show that Betty Blue gave birth in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2019.
Only ONE of Betty Blue’s “babies” remain in the park today: 2019 Stallion Amantes (out of stallion Coal).
The records from the park that were released to the public show that Betty Blue received additional doses of GonaCon in 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Betty Blue has not foaled since 2019.
Meet Summer!
Summer was born in 2022 to Mare Dolly and Stallion Flax.
According to TRNP records shared with the public, Summer was given her first injection of GonaCon in 2023 as a 1 year old. She received an additional dose in 2024.
She has never foaled.
Meet Mischief!
Mischief was born in 2013 to the Mare Maggie and the late Stallion Cocoa.
Mischief was given her first dose of GonaCon when the Colorado State University experiment started their 2nd phase when she was 2 years old in 2015. She received a 2nd dose in 2016. She also had a filly with stallion Flax in 2016 that was given the name Penny. Penny was captured and sold when she was about 6 months old.
Mischief also received 2 more injections of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Penny was the only foal Mischief ever had.
Because permanently sterilizing this mare is not enough, Mischief is one of the 15 mares that were fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Meet Frosty!
Frosty was born in 1999 and is the oldest horse in the park! She was born to Mare Big Blue Star and Stallion Lindbo Blue.
Frosty was one of the mares that DID NOT receive GonaCon during the experiment. That meant she was allowed to foal every year. And she did! According to park records, Frosty had babies every year from 2009-2021. Of those 12 foals, only 2 still remain in the park: Stallion Banty and Stallion Cody. Additionally, Frosty has two babies that were born before the experiment started: Mare Angel and Mare River.
All her other babies were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Frosty received her first injection of GonaCon in 2020. She also received injections in 2021, 2023 and 2024 – including a hand injection during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Frosty has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Minnie!
Minnie was born in 2016 to Mare Freckles and the late Stallion Little Sorrel.
Minnie had her first foal in 2019. She was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She foaled again in 2021 and also received another dose of GonaCon. She foaled again in 2022 but the foal “failed to thrive”. She received GonaCon again in 2023 and 2024, including a hand-injection of GonaCon during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
Minnie has not foaled since 2022.
Meet Jewel!
Jewel was born in 2020 to Mare Sapphire and Stallion Ollie Jr.
According to records that the park shared with the public, Jewel received her first dose of GonaCon in 2021 when she was just a year old. She received another dose in 2022. She had a foal in 2023 that “failed to thrive”. She received another dose of GonaCon in 2024.
Meet Raven!
Raven was born in 2006 to Mare Flicka and Stallion Curious George.
Raven was one of the mares in the original experiment that WAS allowed to foal.
Park records show that Raven had 7 babies from 2011-2020. Only 2 still remain in the park. The rest were captured and sold.
Raven received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon in 2024.
Raven has not foaled since 2020.
Meet Tawny!
Tawny was born in 2023 to the Mare Tontee and Stallion Nicols.
Even though Tawny is just turning 2 as we flipped the calendar to 2025, she has already received her first dose of GonaCon!
TRNP Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann told us they plan to be back out in the park targeting young horses like Tawny, who were too young to receive a second dose of GonaCon during the 2024 helicopter roundup!
Why?
He said they are trying to “Halt the reproduction of this herd.”!
Meet Star!
Star was born in 2020 to Mare Eclipse and Stallion Half Moon.
Star was given her first injection of GonaCon in 2021 when she was just a year old. She received additional injections in 2022 and 2024.
Star has never foaled.
Meet Willow!
Willow was born in 2023 to Mare Democracy and Stallion Remington.
Yes! Even though Willow is JUST turning 2 years old this year – she has already received her first dose of GonaCon in 2024! AND the park has told us that they plan to target young fillies, like Willow, as they plan to continue their aggressive use of GonaCon in 2025!
Meet Quinn!
Quinn was born in 2014 to the late Mare Ghost and the late Stallion Gary.
Quinn received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015 when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024.
Despite being treated so aggressively with GonaCon, Quinn managed to have 3 foals who all still remain in TRNP: Stallion Arcola, Mare Bonnet and Mare Gidget.
Quinn has not foaled since 2021. In addition to being treated so aggressively with GonaCon, Quinn was one of 15 mares that were fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
FUN FACT: Quinn’s mom, Mare Ghost, was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment and was a non-responder to GonaCon.
Meet Ember’s Girl!
Ember’s Girl was born in 2006 to Mare Small Star and Stallion Embers.
Ember’s Girl was also one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment – she DID NOT receive ANY GonaCon! That meant that she was allowed to foal every year.
From 2009-2024, Ember’s Girl has had 11 foals. Of those 11, only ONE – 2020 Mare Emery – remains in the park today. All of the others were captured and sold to the highest bidder or they “failed to thrive”.
According to park records shared with the public, Ember’s Girl received her first dose of GonaCon in 2019. She received additional doses in 2020, 2022 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon at the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Ember’s Girl last foaled in 2023 to a colt named Eli that “failed to thrive”.
Meet Frosted Arrow!
Frosted Arrow was born in 2020 to Mare Justice and Stallion Arrowhead.
According to records released to the public by the park, Frosted Arrow received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. Yes – you read that correctly – Frosted Arrow was NOT even a year old when she received her first dose of GonaCon. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, 2024 INLCUDING a hand injection during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Frosted Arrow has NEVER foaled.
Meet Starlet!
Starlet was born in 2021 to Mare Dolly and Stallion Flax.
According to records released to the public by the park, Starlet received her first dose of GonaCon in 2021 when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2022, 2023 and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
Since her mom, Mare Dolly, is a non-responder to GonaCon, Starlet would have been one of the horses the park was considering removing during the 2024 helicopter roundup. CHWHA stopped the removal of ANY horses during the roundup.
Starlet has NEVER foaled.
Meet Josie! (shown with her mom Mare Papoose)
Josie was born in 2024 to Mare Papoose and Stallion Half Moon.
Josie is ONE OF FOUR female horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park that HAS NOT been treated with GonaCon! THAT is ONLY because she was born in 2024!
TRNP Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, has told CHWHA that they plan to continue to be just as aggressive with GonaCon in 2025 and will be targeting horses who were too young for GonaCon injections during the 2024 helicopter roundup – LIKE JOSIE!
Meet Maisey!
Maisey was born in 2023 to Mare Paige and Stallion Grady.
According to records released from the park. Maisey was given her first dose of GonaCon as a yearling in 2024. Their records also show that Maisey was given a hand injection of GonaCon at the 2024 helicopter roundup. We have asked for clarification from the park on if the hand injection was “THE 2024 dose” listed on their reports or a second dose given in 2024. We are still waiting for a response to our January 2025 email.
Meet Bella!
Bella was born in 2001 to the 1996 Gray Pinto Mare her sire is unknown
According to records released from the park, Bella was one of the mares that was NOT given GonaCon during the experiment that lasted from 2009-2020. That means that Bella was able to foal year after year. And she did! According to the park’s records, she foaled every year from 2009-2018 and again in 2020 and 2021. Of all the babies Bella has had in her life, only 2010 Stallion Arrowhead, 2006 Mare Betty Blue, 2014 Mare Grace, 2020 Mare Annabella and 2021 Stallion Chance still remain in the park today. All other horses were captured and sold over the years.
Bella received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 and additional doses in 2021, 2022 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection at the October 2024 roundup.
Bella has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Smokey!
Smokey was born in 2007 to Mare Gray Lady and Stallion Double Trouble
According to records released from the park, Smokey was one of the mares that was NOT given GonaCon during the experiment that lasted from 2009-2020. According to the park’s records, she had 4 documented foals since 2009. Those figures include her 2023 colt that “failed to thrive”. Smokey’s only offspring in the park is 2018 Mare Patience.
Smokey received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 and additional doses in 2021, 2022 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection at the October 2024 roundup.
Smokey has not foaled since 2023.
Meet Faith!
Faith was born in 2013 to Mare Esprit and Stallion Silver
According to records released from the park, Faith received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015 when she was 2 years old. She received additional doses in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. Park records show that Faith has had 3 documented foals. Only 2020 Mare Belle still remains in the park. The other horses were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Faith has not foaled since 2020.
In addition to being treated so aggressively with GonaCon, Faith was one of 15 mares that were fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Meet Patches!
Patches was born in 2016 to Mare Punkin and Stallion Half Moon
According to records released from the park, Patches received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 roundup. Park records show that Patches has had 3 documented foals. Her 2020 foal “failed to thrive” She had a filly named Poppy in 2021 who still remains in the park and Filly Piper was born in 2023 who was not brought in during the 2024 roundup and is presumed to have passed away due to unknown causes.
Patches has not foaled since 2023.
Meet Misty Blue!
Misty Blue was born in 2020 to Mare Mist and Stallion Sidekick
According to records released from the park, Misty Blue received her first dose of GonaCon in 2021, when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2022, 2023, and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 roundup. REMEMBER: The NPS employee that was darting the horses a few weeks ago told us the horses are darted EVERY OTHER YEAR!
Misty Blue has had one documented foal, Filly Bluebell that was born in 2023. She has not foaled since 2023.
Bluebell was born to Mare Misty Blue in April of 2023. Her sire is unknown.
Misty Blue’s parents are Mare Mist and the late, GREAT, Stallion Sidekick, who we sadly lost in 2024.
This coming 2-year-old filly has already had TWO doses of GonaCon – including a hand injection during the wild horse roundup that took place in October of 2024!
Emery was born in 2020 to the beautiful Mare Ember’s Girl and the late, GREAT, Stallion Mystery. She is Mare Ember’s Girl’s ONLY offspring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
This coming 5-year-old is part of Stallion Remington’s band with her mom.
She too has NEVER foaled!
According to park records released to the public, Emery has received 3 doses of GonaCon – her first when she was only a year old!
Archer was born in 2019 to Mare TeePee and Stallion Teton.
At the ripe old age of 5, Archer has received 5 – yes FIVE injections of Gona Con including a hand injection during the wild horse roundup at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in October. PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO DATA TO SUPPORT SUCH AGGRESSIVE USE OF GONACON!!!
For a change – let’s talk about 2 female horses living in Theodore Roosevelt National Park who have NOT been treated with GonaCon.
There are 4 TOTAL and this post will talk about 2 of them: 2024 Filly Chloe (black) and 2024 Filly Rumor (brown)
How ADORABLE are these two now yearlings?
Chloe was the first foal born to the TRNP herd in March of 2024. She was born to Mare Perdita and Stallion Gunner. REMEMBER: Perdita has that special mitochondrial DNA that allowed her to be ONE of TWO horses that were allowed to stay in the park from the group that was born in 2017!
Rumor was born a few weeks after her half sister Chloe in April of 2024. Her mom is the beautiful Mare Raven’s Myst and her presumed father is also Stallion Gunner.
Both fillies were part of the wild horse roundup in October of 2024. According to park records shared with the public, both fillies were microchipped BUT neither received any GonaCon ~ YET!
Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, told us at our last meeting that although they used GonaCon so aggressively in 2024, they plan to be back at it in 2025 as they plan to “Halt reproduction of this herd.” They will be specifically targeting Chloe and Rumor as the park felt they were too young to get a GonaCon injection in 2024.
Satine was born in 2021 to Mare Minnie and the late, GREAT, Stallion Satellite. She is currently in Stallion Amantes band.
According to park records, Satine received her first injection of GonaCon as a 1-year-old. She has had 3 additions GonaCon injections since – one in 2023, another in 2024 AND she received a hand injection during the wild horse round up in October of 2025.
Satine has NEVER foaled.
Blake also told us that although they used GonaCon so aggressively in 2024, they plan to be back at it in 2025 as they plan to “Halt reproduction of this herd.”
Almanac was born in 2019 to Mare Minnie and the late, Great Stallion Satellite.
Almanac received her first dose of GonaCon when she was a year old in 2020. She received a 2nd dose in 2021. Almanac had her first and only foal in 2022. The foal “failed to thrive”. Almanac has not foaled since BUT the park has given her 3 additional doses of GonaCon since 2022. This includes a hand injection during the helicopter roundup in 2024.
Crow was born in 2007 to the late Mare Lightening and the late Stallion Singlefoot.
Crow was one of the mares that DID NOT get GonaCon from 2009-2013. She was allowed to have babies every year – EVEN THOUGH it was well known that she and her then stallion Satellite produced lethal white foals.
According to park records, Crow has had TWELEVE foals from 2009- present! ONLY 2 remain and they are her foals from 2020 Mare Little Bear and 2022 Filly Phoenix. All of the others were either captured and sold or were lethal whites who died a slow and painful death.
Crow received her first injection of GonaCon in 2020. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection from the park during the wild horse roundup in October of 2024.
She has not foaled since 2022.
Meet Bea!
Bea was born to Mare Punkin and Stallion Half Moon in 2020.
Bea has never foaled and has received GonaCon 3 times: in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Meet Phoenix!
Phoenix was born in 2022 to Mare Crow. Either Stallion Satellite or Stallion Flash is her sire – too close to call so we will need that DNA that the park collected during the helicopter roundup in October of 2024 to let us know which stallion the lucky daddy is!
Phoenix has received 2 doses of GonaCon – one in 2023 and another in 2024.
She has never foaled.
Meet Mystique!
Mystique was born in 2021 to Mare Raven and the late Stallion Mystery.
According to park records, this young mare was first giving GonaCon when she was just a year old in 2022. She was given additional doses in 2023 & 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon during the October 2024 roundup.
Mystique has never foaled. The park has admitted to us that they have no guarantee that any of these mares treated with GonaCon will ever return to fertility. EVERY MARE except the 4 fillies born in 2024 have been treated with GonaCon. The park plans to make sure those 4 fillies are included in their aggressive GonaCon treatment in 2025!
Meet Aurora!
Aurora was born in 2017 to Mare Dawn and Stallion Brutus.
Aurora is SPECIAL!
A report that the park put out in 2018 stated that there were 2 horses that were kept in the park that were born in 2017 because of their mitochondrial DNA. NOTE: There were 30 live births in the park that year – ONLY 2 horses remain!
Aurora is one.
Why?
The mitochondrial DNA research on these TRNP horses show that they share female ancestry with Asian, middle East, and Italian horse DNA. That sequence follows the migration patterns of humans and animals.
This proves that the starting point for horses is and will always be the North American continent and that proof is right here within the DNA of these two beautiful mares that currently still call TRNP home.
See?
I told you Aurora was special!
How does the park treat such a special mare?
Aurora received her first injection of GonaCon in 2020. She received another in 2021, 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING – you guessed it! A special hand injection of GonaCon during the October 2024 helicopter roundup!
Aurora has one foal – Bluegrass – that was born in 2020. Aurora has not foaled since.
AND
Because Aurora is sooooo special…
She was also one of 15 mares that received a lovely collar during the October 2024 roundup!
Meet Paisley!
Paisley was born in 2014 to the late Mare Strawberry and the late Stallion Copper.
According to park records, Paisley was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2015, when she was just a year old. She received another dose in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Paisley has never foaled.
Paisley was one of five horses that were injured during the roundup. She had a gaping hole on the side of her head that bled for about a month after the roundup. The park gave her 25 cc’s of penicillin and released her back into the park.
Meet Breeze!
Breeze was born in 2024 to Mare Bonnet and Stallion Grady.
Breeze is ONE of FOUR female horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park that have NOT been treated with GonaCon!
THAT is ONLY because she was just born in 2024!
Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, told us at our last meeting that although they used GonaCon so aggressively in 2024, they plan to be back at it in 2025 as they plan to “Halt reproduction of this herd.” They will be specifically targeting Breeze and the other 3 fillies born in 2024, as the park felt they were too young to get a GonaCon injection in 2024.
We have asked for these fillies to be treated with PZP Native instead. We have yet to get a response from the park.
Meet Pretty Girl!
Pretty Girl was born in 2003 to Mare Flame and the late Stallion Singlefoot.
According to park records, Pretty Girl one of the mares that was NOT given GonaCon during the CSU experiment. That means that Pretty Girl was allowed to foal every year. And foal she did! Pretty Girl has had 10 foals from 2009 – 2024. Only 5 of those horses still remain in the park today. The others were all captured and sold to the highest bidder.
I think we can say that Pretty Girl is SPECIAL!
Remember we talked about 2017 Mare Aurora and her special mitochondrial DNA? Pretty Girl gave birth to the 2nd filly allowed to stay from the 30 that were born in 2017 – Perdita.
As a reminder…
A report that the park put out in 2018 stated that there were 2 horses that were kept in the park that were born in 2017 because of their mitochondrial DNA. NOTE: There were 30 live births in the park that year – ONLY 2 horses remain!
Perdita, Pretty Girl’s daughter, is one.
Why?
The mitochondrial DNA research on these TRNP horses show that they share female ancestry with Asian, middle East, and Italian horse DNA. That sequence follows the migration patterns of humans and animals.
This proves that the starting point for horses is and will always be the North American continent and that proof is right here within the DNA of these two beautiful mares that currently still call TRNP home.
See?
I told you Pretty Girl was special!
I would also guess that her daughters Papoose, Ardena, Indian Paint Brush are just as special as Perdita, but the park has not shared that information with us.
How does the park treat such a special mare?
Pretty Girl was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She gave birth to Beau in 2021 AND received another dose of GonaCon. She has also received GonaCon in 2023 and in 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon – because the mitochondrial DNA is sooooo important – right? That IS what the park told us when they allowed Perdita and Aurora to stay.
Meet Opal!
Opal was born in 2014 to the late Mare Molly and the late Stallion Red Face. Opal is Mare Molly’s ONLY offspring in the park.
Opal received her first dose of GonaCon when she was a yearling in 2015. She received a 2nd dose in 2016. She also foaled in 2016. Sadly, that foal did not survive due to birthing complications.
Even though Opal has not foaled since 2016, the park has given her additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Meet Whiskey!
Whiskey was born in 2010 to the late Mare Ginger and the late Stallion Gray Ghost. Whiskey is Ginger’s ONLY offspring still in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Whiskey received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015. She received a 2nd dose in 2016. She also foaled in 2015, 2016 and 2017. All of those foals were captured and sold. Whiskey currently does not have any offspring in the park.
Even though Whiskey has not foaled since 2017, the park has given her additional doses of GonaCon in 2020 and 2024.
Meet Blue Angel!
Blue Angel was born in 2020 to Mare Angel and the late Stallion Thunder.
According to records from the park that were released to the public, Blue Angel received her first dose of GonaCon in 2021. She received a 2nd dose in 2022 and a third dose was given to this 5-year-old mare in 2024.
Park records state that Blue Angel foaled in 2022. If she truly did, her baby “failed to thrive” because it was never documented by any other pages.
Blue Angel’s mom, Mare Angel, was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment in 2009 and is a non-responder to GonaCon.
Mare Angel along with Blue Angel would have been two of the horses that the park was considering removing when they rounded up the horses in October of 2024. CHWHA stopped ANY horses from being removed.
Meet Bee!
Beetree, as the park named her, was born in 2020 to Mare Indian Paint Brush and Stallion Teton.
Bee was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2021, when she was just a year old. She was given a second dose in 2022 and yet another dose in 2023.
Bee gave birth to a filly in 2022 that was given the name Dreamer.
Remember: One of the selling points of GonaCon is that it would save management time as they would NOT have to administer it yearly, as they do with PZP.
Soooooo
Why ARE they administering GonaCon EVERY YEAR to most of the mares?
As TRNP Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, said: they want to “HALT THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS HERD.”
Meet Tontee!
Tontee was born in 2021 to Mare TeePee and Stallion Teton.
According to TRNP records shared with the public, Tontee was given her first injection of GonaCon in 2022 as a 1 year old. She received additional doses in 2023 and 2024.
Tontee gave birth to a filly named Tawnee in 2023.
She has not foaled since.
Amargo was born in 2019 to Mare Kat and Stallion Flax.
According to records that the park shared with the public, Amargo received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 when she was just a year old. She received another dose in 2021. She received additional doses in 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
Amargo has never foaled.
Meet Pale Lady!
Pale Lady was born in 2001 to 1996 Red Roan and Stallion Embers.
Pale Lady’s story is interesting.
Because of her age – she should have been in the original GonaCon experiment. Meaning – she either should have received GonaCon in 2009 & 2013, or she should have been in the group that was free to foal for 11 years. She does not appear to have been put in either group.
Pale Lady was put into the second GonaCon experiment in 2015. Again, just odd because every other mare in the park was put in one of the two groups listed above.
According to records released by the park, Pale Lady foaled in 2013 (Mare Justice) DID NOT foal in 2014 – although we know she gave birth to Mare Kat. Park records also show that she gave birth in 2015 and 2016. We know her baby in 2016 died and believe the park may have confused their 2014 and 2015 birth records.
Pale Lady received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015 and another in 2016. She received additional doses in 2020 and 2024.
Pale Lady has not foaled since 2016.
Meet Pixie!
Pixie was born in 2020 to the late Mare Stormy and Stallion Ollie Jr.
Pixie was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2022. According to park records, she also foaled in 2022 but the foal “failed to thrive”. Pixie received additional doses of GonaCon in 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
Pixie has not foaled since 2022.
Meet Lakota!
Lakota was born in 2010 to Mare Daisy and the late Stallion Silver.
Lakota was given her first injection of GonaCon in 2013. She received additional doses in 2015, 2020 and 2024 – including a hand injection at the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Even though the park’s records they released to the public fail to show that Lakota ever foaled, she did in fact foal in 2013 to a filly named Banner. Banner was captured and sold to the highest bidder in 2013.
Lakota has not foaled since 2013.
Meet Firefly!
Firefly was born in 2007 to Mare Sundance and the late Stallion Red Face.
Firefly is Sundance’s ONLY offspring that still remains in TRNP.
Firefly has foaled every year from 2012-2021. Of those 9 babies only 4 still remain in the park: Dixie, Anuk, Bluff, and Flyer.
Firefly is one of 15 martes that were fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Firefly received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023 and 2024 – including a hand injection during the roundup.
Meet Antice!
Antice was born in 2019 to Mare Domino and Stallion Arrowhead.
Antice was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 followed by additional doses in 2021, 2023, 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Antice was also one of FIVE horses that were injured during the 2024 helicopter roundup. She had a “minor” cut on her leg, was given no treatment and deemed fit for release.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Antice was also one of 15 mares fitted with GPS tracking collars during the 2024 helicopter roundup.
Antice has never foaled.
Meet Gidget!
Gidget was born in 2021 to Mare Quinn and Stallion Grady.
This young mare received her first dose of GonaCon in 2022. That was followed by additional injections in 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon during last year’s helicopter roundup.
Gidget has never foaled.
Meet Punkin!
Punkin was born in 2009 to Mare Tanker and the late Stallion Little Sorrel.
Punkin received her first dose of GonaCon in 2013. She received additional doses in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection in 2024 during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Punkin has also foaled 6 times. 3 of her “babies” still remain in the park today: Mare Patches, Mare Bea and Stallion Moon Shadow.
Meet Dreamer!
Dreamer was born in 2022 to Mare Bee and Stallion Nicols is her presumed sire.
According to records released to the public by the park, Dreamer received her first dose of GonaCon in 2023 when she was just a year old. She received an additional 2024.
Dreamer has NEVER foaled.
Meet Harmony!
Harmony was born in 2023 to Mare Patience and Stallion Flax.
Since Harmony was born in 2023, she has ONLY received ONE dose of GonaCon. TRNP Chief of Resource Management, Blake McCann, has told CHWHA that they plan to continue to be just as aggressive with GonaCon in 2025 and will be targeting horses who were too young for GonaCon injections during the 2024 helicopter roundup – LIKE Harmony!
Meet Valentina!
Valentina was born in 2014 to Mare Snip’s Gray and Stallion Sidekick.
According to records released from the park, Valentina was given her first dose of GonaCon as a yearling in 2015. She received additional doses in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Valentina has had ONE foal that was born in 2017. Sadly, another mare stole the foal from this young and inexperienced mom, and the foal died shortly after.
Valentina has not foaled since 2017.
Meet Sapphire!
Sapphire was born in 2007 to Mare Bentonite and Stallion Sidekick
According to records released from the park, Sapphire was one of the mares that was NOT given GonaCon during the experiment that lasted from 2009-2020. That means that Sapphire was able to foal year after year. And she did! According to the park’s records, she had a documented 12 foals since 2009. Of all the babies Sapphire has had in her life, only 2010 Mare Cassie, 2020 Mare Jewel and 2021 Stallion Sterling still remain in the park today. All other horses were captured and sold over the years.
Sapphire received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 and additional doses in 2021, 2022 and 2024 INCLUDING a hand injection at the October 2024 roundup.
Sapphire has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Cassie!
Cassie was born in 2010 to Mare Sapphire and Stallion Sidekick
According to records released from the park, Cassie received her first dose of GonaCon in 2013. She received additional doses in 2015, 2020 and 2024. Although the park records show otherwise, Cassie has foaled twice in her life. Her 2016 colt was captured and sold and only her daughter, 2013 Mare Dawn (not listed on the park’s records) still remains in the park.
Cassie has not foaled since 2016.
Meet Kat!
Kat was born in 2014 to Mare Pale Lady and Stallion Thunder
According to records released from the park, Kat received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015 when she was a years old. She received additional doses in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2024. Park records show that Kat has had 3 documented foals. She had a colt in 2018 that she did not bond with who died shortly after birth. She had Amargo in 2019 who still remains in the park and Filly Bird in 2020 who was captured and sold.
Kat has not foaled since 2020.
Meet Lil Mo!
Lil Mo was born in 2020 to Mare Flame and Stallion Red Face is her presumed sire but the DNA the park collected during the October 2024 will tell us for sure!
Interestingly, Lil Mo’s mom, Mare Flame, was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. Flame had not foaled since 2014 until she had Lil Mo 6 years later.
According to records released from the park, Lil Mo received her first dose of GonaCon in 2022, when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2023, and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 roundup. REMEMBER: The NPS employee that was darting the horses a few weeks ago told us the horses are darted EVERY OTHER YEAR!
Lil Mo has had one documented foal, Filly Meadow that was born in 2023. She has not foaled since 2023.
Meet Luna!
Luna was born in 2023 to Mare Little Gray and Stallion Wild Rye
According to records released from the park, Luna received her first dose of GonaCon in 2024, when she was just a year old.
Domino was born in 2006 to Mare Rain and Stallion High Star.
According to records released from the park, Domino was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment that DID NOT receive GonaCon. This meant that she was able to foal every year – and foal she did! Domino gave birth to 12 foals between 2009-2021! Only 3 of those babies remain in the park today: Stallion Flash, Mare Antice and Mare Dominque.
Domino received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020 and received additional doses in 2021 and 2024.
Domino has not foaled since 2021.
Autumn was born in 2007 to Mare Lacey and Stallion Double Trouble.
According to records released from the park, Autumn was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment that DID NOT receive GonaCon. This meant that she was able to foal every year – and foal she did! Autumn gave birth to 8 foals between 2009-2020! Only ONE of those babies remain in the park today: Mare Bess.
Autumn received her first dose of GonaCon in 2019 and received additional doses in 2022, 2022 and 2024.
Autumn has not foaled since 2020.
Current NON-RESPONDERS to GonaCon (this can change as the park continues their aggressive use of GonaCon)
Little Gray was born in 2004 to the Rose Gray Mare and the late, Great Stallion Gary.
Little Gray has an interesting story. She is a NON-RESPONDER to GonaCon.
She was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013. She received additional doses of GonaCon in 2019, 2020 2022 and 2024. According to park records, Little Gray foaled in 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. Of ALL those foals, only 3 still remain in the park: 2020 Filly Pippi, 2021 Colt Ryelee and 2023 Filly Luna – all of the others were captured and sold over the years.
Little Gray was one of the horses that the park was considering removing when they rounded up the horses in October. CHWHA stopped ANY horses from being removed.
The park said that instead of removing non-responders to GonaCon, they would instead hand inject them during the roundup. Little Gray did NOT receive a hand injection of GonaCon. Why not? You would have to ask the park.
When the park talked about removing non-responders, we asked why they could not try PZP instead to see if they responded to that.
Their response?
Are you sitting down?
“We don’t want to be pumping the horses full of drugs.” – Yes, that came right from Superintendent Finley’s mouth!
My response? “Why not? You have been doing that since 2009!”
As much as the horses are being mis-managed by the aggressive treatment of GonaCon, they are equally mismanaging the horses by allowing the same ones to be the ONLY ones to foal over and over again. That does not help the health and genetic diversity of the herd.
FUN FACT: Little Gray’s daughter – Mare Pippi was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Meet Indian Paint Brush (IPB)
Indian Paint Brush was born in 2011 to Mare Pretty Girl and the late Stallion Red Face.
She received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015. She received additional doses in 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 AND was one of the mares the park hand injected with GonaCon during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
In spite of all that GonaCon, Indian Paint Brush has foaled in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Here’s hoping the hand injection in October of 2024 doesn’t mean the end of reproduction for this mare.
Democracy was born in 2013 to Mare Dolly and the late Stallion Cocoa.
According to TRNP records shared with the public, Democracy was given her first injection of GonaCon in 2015 presumably when the GonaCon experiment resumed at TRNP. This is when they received their 2nd round of funding to experiment on our horses.
Democracy received a 2nd dose of GonaCon in 2016. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, and 2024 including a hand injection of GonaCon during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
Democracy is a non-responder to GonaCon. She has given birth in: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Of all those babies, only 5 still remain in the park.
3 of the others died because they “failed to thrive” and the rest were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
As a non-responder to GonaCon Democracy – AND some of her offspring – were some of the of the horses the park was planning to remove when they rounded the horses up in October of 2024. CHWHA worked hard to stop the roundup. While we were not successful in stopping the roundup, NONE of the TRNP horses were removed from the park.
Meet Papoose!
Papoose was born in 2010 to the Mare Pretty Girl and the late Stallion Red Face.
****REMEMBER: The park shared that Papoose’s full sister, Mare Perdita – has that “special” mitochondrial DNA – which means that Papoose MIGHT also.
Papoose received her first dose of GonaCon in 2013 followed by more GonaCon in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection of GonaCon during the 2024 helicopter roundup. So much for special DNA!
In spite of being so heavily treated with GonaCon, Papoose has had foals in 2013, 2014 – she is believed to have miscarried in 2015, she had live births again in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Only 3 of her “babies” remain in the park – Stallion Gunner, Mare Serendipity and Filly Josie. All the others were captured and sold to the highest bidder.
Meet Bonnet!
Bonnet was born in 2020 to Mare Quinn and Stallion Grady.
According to records released to the public by the park, Bonnet received her first dose of GonaCon in 2021 when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
In spite of such aggressive use of GonaCon on this young mare, Bonnet gave birth to one of the 10 foals born to the herd in 2024.
Freckles was born in 2004 to Mare Trouble’s Girl and Stallion Gary
According to records released from the park, Freckles was one of the original mares in the GonaCon experiment. She received her first dose of GonaCon as a hand injection at the 2009 roundup and received a 2nd dose via hand injection during the 2013 roundup. She has since received additional doses in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.
Freckles was a non-responder to GonaCon. Since she has been so aggressively treated, she has not foaled since 2020;
According to records released by the park, Freckles gave birth to 8 foals from 2009-2020. 3 of those foals are still in the park today. Mare Minnie, Mare Eclipse and Mare Katie.
Freckles has not foaled since 2020.
FUN FACT: Freckle’s daughter – Mare Eclipse was fitted with a GPS collar during the October 2024 roundup.
Angel was born in 2007 to Mare Frosty and the late, Great Stallion Singlefoot.
Angel has an interesting story. She was another NON-RESPONDER to GonaCon.
She was given a hand injection of GonaCon in 2009 and again in 2013. She received additional doses of GonaCon in 2019, 2021 and 2024. According to park records, Angel foaled in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020. Of all those foals, only 2 still remain in the park: 2014 Mare Penny, and 2020 Mare Blue Angel – all of the others were captured and sold over the years. Her 2016 foal was born with a birth defect and did not survive.
Angel was one of the horses that the park was considering removing when they rounded up the horses in October. CHWHA stopped ANY horses from being removed.
The park said that instead of removing non-responders to GonaCon, they would instead hand inject them during the roundup. Angel did NOT receive a hand injection of GonaCon. Why not? AGAIN (as with Mare Little Gray) You would have to ask the park.
When the park talked about removing non-responders, we asked why they could not try PZP instead to see if they responded to that.
Their response?
Are you sitting down?
“We don’t want to be pumping the horses full of drugs.” – Yes, that came right from Superintendent Finley’s mouth!
My response? “Why not? You have been doing that since 2009!”
Angel has had 3 injections of GonaCon since the experiment ended: 2019, 2021 and 2024. She last foaled in 2020.
Meet Dolly!
Dolly was born in 2006 to Mare Lacey and the late Stallion Double Trouble.
Dolly was one of the mares that did NOT receive GonaCon during the experiment that started in 2009. Dolly was allowed to foal – and foal she did! According to park records – Dolly has had 15 foals from 2009-2024! Of those 15 – 7 still remain in the park.
Dolly received her first dose of GonaCon in 2019 followed by doses in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Dolly was one of the mares that the park SPECIFICALLY called out as one of the non-responders that the park originally planned to remove from the park.
The park’s reason for removing non-responders was to help the genetics of the herd.
This is one point we agree on, Dolly has too many offspring in the park now and that does hurt the genetics the other way.
On top of that, Dolly’s mom – the late Mare Lacey, still has 8 of her offspring in the park, including Dolly. So this really is a very saturated line in the park.
How does the park fix that?
They took 5 mares off GonaCon.
FIVE – they said to help the genetics of this herd.
That sounds great!
Dolly’s daughter Mare Skipper was one of the mares that were taken off.
Because an already oversaturated line somehow helps improve the genetic diversity of this herd?
We have been asking the park for meetings to discuss these concerns, and we are still waiting for that response.
Meet Teepee!
Teepee was born in 2010 to Mare Shale and the late Stallion Mystery.
Teepee was first given GonaCon in 2013. She received additional doses in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection in 2024 during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
In spite of being treated so aggressively with GonaCon, Teepee has foaled every year from 2015-2019, and from 2021-2023. Teepee foaled again in 2025. Six of those 9 babies still remain in the park: June, Archer, Tontee, Titan, Trinity and Sable.
Meet Goblin!
Goblin was born in 2009 to Mare Ghost and Stallion Gary.
Goblin received her first dose of GonaCon in 2013. She received additional doses in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 INLCUDING a hand injection during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
In spite of all those doses of GonaCon, Goblin has had 6 foals and appears to be a non-responder to GonaCon. As a non-responder, Goblin would have been one of the mares the park was considering for removal during the 2024 helicopter roundup. CHWHA stopped ANY horses from being removed during the roundup.
Only two of those 6 foals still remain in the park today: 2020 Mare Berkleigh and 2021 Mare Blossom. Goblin has not foaled since 2021.
Meet Anisak!
Anisak was born in 2019 to Mare Perdita. Her sire is unknown, but the DNA the park collected during the October 2024 roundup should answer this Maury Moment for us whenever they decide to share that information with the tax paying public!
According to records released from the park, Anisak received her first dose of GonaCon in 2020, when she was just a year old. She received additional doses in 2021, 2023, and 2024 – INCLUDING a hand injection during the 2024 roundup.
MIRACULOUSLY – despite being given 4-5 doses (it is unclear if the hand injection during the roundup is a 2nd dose of GonaCon for 2024 – we asked the park about this back in January and are still waiting for a reply) of GonaCon in her SIX YEARS of life – Anisak had her first documented foal on April 9, 2025 – a filly that was given the name Royal.
Maiden was born in 2010 to Mare Busy Blue and Stallion Cocoa.
According to records released from the park, Maiden received her first dose of GonaCon in 2013 and her next dose in 2015 as part of the second phase of the GonaCon experiment. Maiden has also received additional doses of GonaCon in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024. That includes a hand injection of GonaCon during the October 2024 helicopter roundup.
In spite of being treated so aggressively with GonaCon, Maiden has had 6 foals since 2015. Of those 6 babies only ONE remains in the park today: Stallion Knight. Her 2024 Colt Magnum died in an accident in the park.
Maiden is a non-responder to GonaCon. Time will tell if the aggressive use of GonaCon on her, including her hand injection of GonaCon during the 2024 roundup changes that.
In October of 2024, the park decided to release these FIVE mares from future GonaCon treatments
Skipper was born in 2014 to Mare Dolly and the late, GREAT, Stallion Cocoa.
Skipper has a different story than the other mares we have shared.
Skipper is one of FIVE mares the park has decided to take off GonaCon.
YAY!
Right?!
Welllllll….
Note: Skipper’s mom – Mare Dolly. We had several talks with the park about Dolly specifically because Dolly is a non-responder to GonaCon. The park was going to move mares like Dolly who are not responding to GonaCon. They claimed that they don’t want the genetics getting skewed the other way – where we have too much of that DNA specific DNA in the park.
So then…
WHY would the park choose ONE of the FIVE mares they took off GonaCon to be a line that is well represented?
Let’s dig a bit deeper…
Dolly’s mom, Skipper’s Grandmother, is the late Mare Lacey. Lacey hands down has the most offspring in the TRNP herd.
The park’s website states: “During the October roundup, five mares were released from GonaCon treatment (not boosted), providing an opportunity for these horses to reproduce. These animals were selected based on their genetic diversity regardless of most recent GonaCon administration.”
HOW can they say that and then do things like have Mare Skipper taken off GonaCon?
Before you ask about her daddy, Stallion Cocoa, his line is well represented too!
Could it be that despite being given back-to-back doses of GonaCon in 2015 & 2016, Skipper gave birth in 2017 and again in 2019. She was given GonaCon again in 2020 and 2024. It seems like she has a good possibility of returning to fertility. Then the park can say – See? GonaCon is great! And reversible!
Skipper’s only offspring in the park is 2019 Stallion Arey.
Meet Eagle!
Eagle was born in 2013 to Mare Daisy and Stallion Silver
According to records released from the park, Eagle received her first dose of GonaCon in 2015 when she was 2 years old. She received additional doses in 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2024. Park records show that Eagle has had 3 documented foals. EVERY ONE OF THOSE BABIES HAS DIED!!! 2016 Filly Florida died from colic when she was captured by the park with the intent to auction her off. 2019 Filly Agency died unexpectedly when she was about 4 months old, and 2020 Filly Birdie is presumed to have died during the winter of 2023/2024.
Eagle has not foaled since 2020.
BUT Good news for Eagle! She is ONE of FIVE mares that the park has decided to take off GonaCon.
IF she can return to fertility, here is hoping she can have a foal that is able to survive and thrive in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Belle was born in 2020 to Mare Faith and the late Stallion Copper.
Belle has been given 3 doses of GonaCon in her short life! She received GonaCon in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
Belle has never foaled.
BUT!
The park has decided that Belle – along with 2 other horses from her father’s line – will be taken off GonaCon and hopefully will return to fertility.
We agree, this beauty is a mare that should have been taken off GonaCon – HOWEVER when ONLY 5 horses were taken off, 3 should not belong to the same line.
Meet Taylor!
Taylor was born in 2014 to Mare Spotted Blue and the late Stallion Copper.
According to park records, Taylor was given her first dose of GonaCon in 2015, when she was just a year old. She received another dose in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024. According to park records, Taylor has had 4 foals, the last was born in 2020. NONE of them remain in the park, 1 or 2 were possibly miscarriages.
The park has decided that Taylor is one of FIVE mares that they have agreed to take off GonaCon.
GREAT!
Right?!
The park stated that they are taking mares off GonaCon to improve the genetics of the herd.
That sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
Taylor is one of two mares taken off that were sired by Stallion Copper.
AND
Taylor’s Aunt – Mare Justice (Pale Lady x Thunder) is a THIRD mare from this same family line that was taken off GonaCon – as the park states on their website: “During the October roundup, five mares were released from GonaCon treatment (not boosted), providing an opportunity for these horses to reproduce. These animals were selected based on their genetic diversity regardless of most recent GonaCon administration.”
Between Dolly’s line and the Copper/Pale Lady line – the park is basically giving us TWO different lines to produce genetic diversity?
We have asked the park to explain this decision. We are still waiting for a reply.
AND
For added fun – this gorgeous mare was chosen to be 1 of the 15 mares that received a special collar that she will wear for 2-3 YEARS!
Justice was born in 2013 to Mare Pale Lady and the late Stallion Thunder.
Justice has been given 5 doses of GonaCon. She received GonaCon in 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2024.
Justice has had 2 documented foals, both still remain in the park: 2020 Mare Frosted Arrow and 2021 Stallion Cadet.
The park has decided that Justice – along with 2 other horses from her mother’s line – will be taken off GonaCon and hopefully will return to fertility.
We are happy that 5 horses have been taken off future GonaCon treatments. When ONLY 5 horses are taken off GonaCon, 3 should not belong to the same line.