Remote Delivery Systems (RDS) are used in a wide range of industries and conservation efforts. While many people think of them as tools only for immobilizing animals, their applications are far broader. In addition to treating sick or injured animals when a chute is not available, Remote Delivery Devices (RDDs)—also known as darts—can play an important role in preserving wildlife and promoting humane management practices.
One significant example is immunocontraception—a humane method of population control that can help protect wild herds from overpopulation and the resulting risks of starvation or removal.
What is Immunocontraception?
Immunocontraception uses a specialized compound that works much like a vaccine, stimulating the animal’s immune system to temporarily prevent reproduction. In wild horse management, it offers a safe and effective way to help maintain stable herd numbers without removing animals from their natural environment. For mares, it is not only safe for the mare herself but also for a developing foal if she is already pregnant when treated.
Why It Matters for Wild Horses
When wild horse populations grow beyond the land’s capacity to sustain them, herds can suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, and competition for limited resources. In some cases, overpopulation can lead to the removal of horses from the range. Immunocontraception provides a proactive, humane alternative—helping herds remain healthy, balanced, and free.
Remote Delivery Systems make this possible without the stress of rounding up entire groups of horses. Skilled handlers can administer the treatment from a safe distance, reducing disruption to the herd while still providing vital care.
Sanctuaries and Safe Havens
Across the country, sanctuaries step in to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong care for horses that cannot remain in the wild. While sanctuaries are a lifeline for many animals, their capacity is limited. Immunocontraception, used strategically, helps reduce the number of horses that require removal in the first place, allowing more to live free on the range where they belong.
A Shared Goal
For conservationists, land managers, and wild horse advocates, the mission is the same: keep wild horses wild, while ensuring the herds are healthy and the land they depend on can sustain them. Remote Delivery Systems and immunocontraception are valuable tools in achieving that balance—supporting both the freedom of the horses and the long-term health of the ecosystem.