6400-99-1
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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
PRESCOTT, AZ
FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Supplement No.: 6400-99-1
Effective Date: January 28, 1999
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: /s/ Michael King
MICHAEL R. KING
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 01/28/1999
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 6400-93-1
to FSM 6400.
New Document
6411.34
6 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
6411.34
7 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
6411.34 - This Supplement is the Stock Management Plan to be used on the Prescott National
Forest and supersedes all District Stock Management Plans.
PNF SUPPLEMENT: 6400-99-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1999
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6411.34
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FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
This plan is prepared to establish management guidelines and policy for the Forest's stock
purchasing, establishing sources of animals, herd size, describing the traits of animals to be kept
and the procedure for disposing of animals. The contents of this document are presented using
R3 Supplement 6400-94-1 guidance.
I.
HERD OWNERSHIP
In order to maintain a reliable herd and one that is accessible to employees needing pack or
saddle stock to perform their duties, it will be the Forest's policy to maintain a herd necessary to
accommodate the average annual program of work in government ownership. Rentals from
commercial sources can be used in situations when the demand cannot be made by stock on the
Forest. Costs for employee-owned stock must be comparable to commercial sources in order to
be put under agreement only if commercial sources are not available. Rented stock and
employee-owned stock put under agrement must be examined and approved by the designated
District Stock Manager or one designated by the Natural Resource Staff.
II.
OPTIONS OF SUPPLEMENTING STOCK
Government-owned, commercial suppliers and employee-owned stock will be available as
sources to accomplish the Forest's program of work. When a need arises on Districts for stock
beyond their current herd, the first option shall be to request stock from other Districts on the
Forest or from other Forest's herds. If the desired stock cannot be made available from
Government-owned stock, then other options available will be stock from other Forest's in
Arizona, commercial rentals, employee-owned stock, and purchase of new animals. Costs of
each of these options will be analyzed by the unit's Stock Manager and the most efficient sources
should be used with all costs, project demands, timing and employee needs being considered.
III.
DESIRED STOCK TRAITS
Horses and mules, whether government-owned, or under agreement from employees or
commercial suppliers, should have the following traits:
1)
Gentle in temperament, not skittish, easy to bridle and saddle, trained to load in trailers;
2)
Age - between 4 and 20 for horse and 4 and 25 for mules;
3)
Size - at least 14 hands high and between 950 and 1400 lbs. in weight;
4)
Their stamina should allow them to be ridden 3 days continuously in 90 degree
temperatures;
5)
Animals that are adapted to step and rock country so they will not panic in tight
situations;
6)
Gelding horses or either sex for mules;
PNF SUPPLEMENT: 6400-99-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1999
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6411.34
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FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
7) Horses and mules to be purchased, put under employee agreement, or rented from a
commercial vendor must be examined and determined to meet the above traits by the District
Stock Manager. Use of the above traits is intended as a guideline and the District Stock Manager
can accept minor deviations to the size and age criteria, as long as in his/her judgment the animal
is safe for employee use and the animal is able to perform the expected job. The District Stock
Manager is encouraged to use a reputable veterinarian to assist in determining the suitability and
soundness of animals being considered for Forest use.
IV.
HERD SIZE
The following table displays the herd by District that is approved to accomplish their program of
work:
Chino RD
Bradshaw RD
Verde RD
5 animals
6 animals
5 animals
FOREST HERD TOTAL: 16
Changes in the District herd size will be considered when a written request with justification is
received from the District Ranger.
V.
LIVESTOCK RENTAL AND USE AGREEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES
Under the authority in 16 U.S.C. 502 (FSM 6411.01), the Forest Service units may rent horses,
mules and other livestock from employees for project use at isolated geographical locations
when such livestock is not available from either Government or commercial sources and when
there is only occasional need for the livestock. The rentals must adhere to the following
requirements:
1)
Employee Use Agreements will be submitted on Standard Form AD-700, Procurement
Request, by the District Ranger for livestock and personal equipment.
a. The requesting unit will conduct pre and post agreement inspections and
submit these inspections to the Forest Contracting Officer for approval and
action.
b. The requesting unit will submit explanation of the need for the stock
above the unit's herd.
2)
Forest Costs - Use Agreements with employees will be limited to the costs for feed and
water. If farrier or veterinary services are needed due to the job, the project can pay to the
market value of the animal under agreement. Maximum payment to vet services by the Forest
for an on-the-job injury shall not exceed $1,000 regardless of the market value of the animal
under agreement. The market value of the animal will be established and agreed to by the
PNF SUPPLEMENT: 6400-99-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1999
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6411.34
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FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
employee and the Contracting Officer an the AD-700. The District Stock Manager will work
with the Contracting Officer in managing the vet expenses for animal under agreement.
3.
Pasture and care for the animal under agreement will be provided at District expense.
Forest Service forage, care and stabling shall be limited to the period of actual use, but not to
exceed 8 calendar months per year.
4.
Animals under agreement will be available for use by all qualified employees. If an
employee wants to restrict the use of an animal under agreement for his/her use only, the
agreement will be so stated on the AD-700 and the pasture and care will be limited to only the
days the employee is actually using the animal on official business. In this case, stabling the
night before and the night after official use should be the normal allowance for government
provided feed and stabling.
5.
Commercial rental agreements will be requested by the District Stock Manager and
approved by the appropriate Procurement Officer.
6.
Under all situations where non-Government-owned horses and/or equipment are used,
including use of employee animals for personal preference without compensation, a rental
agreement shall first be completed.
VI.
DESIGNATED STOCK MANAGERS
Chino RD
Bradshaw RD
Verde RD
Range Technician
Range Technician
Range Technician
These assignments can be changed based on recommendations made by the District Ranger to
the Natural Resources Staff.
VII.
REPLACEMENT OF STOCK
Stock will be sold when in the judgment of the District Stock Manager the animal no longer
meets the desired traits set forth in this plan. District Stock Managers may requisition to
purchase stock within 500 miles of the Forest boundary. Purchases beyond this limit need to be
coordinated with the Natural Resource Staff.
The Districts will be responsible for procuring new saddle and pack stock. Procurements for
more than $2500 will require competition and a Procurement Officer to accompany the person
designated to select new stock.
Stock shall not be purchased from employees or their immediate families under any
circumstances.
PNF SUPPLEMENT: 6400-99-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1999
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6411.34
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FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
VIII.
COST ANALYSIS
A cost analysis is attached showing the cost per year for five head of Government owned animals
which indicates that it takes approximately $1,000 to maintain one animal per year. A rental
survey was completed in the Prescott/Chino area of eight ranches and stables and there was no
one willing to rent horses, off their own property, due to high insurance and liability costs. This
could possible change from time to time. Should we find a commercial source, it would cost
anywhere from $25 to $50 per day, per animal, plus up keep. Although its felt that use of
employee owned stock is the least expensive source, due the sensitive nature of doing business
with Government employees, it will remain our last choice for stock availability. It is
determined that Forest Service owned stock is the most practical for the Prescott National Forest
since our stock demand is consistent and the availability of Government owned stock is most
advantageous to our needs.
IX.
SAFETY
A hazard analysis will be prepared and/or reviewed annually by individuals riding Forest horses.
On an as needed basis, a basic horsemanship safety session will be conducted for new employees
or volunteers interested in riding Forest horses. This course will be conducted by a stock
manager(s).
X.
USE OF FOREST STOCK FOR OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
Occasionally, requests may be received to participate in parades or other activities. These
requests will be reviewed and authorized by the appropriate line officer on the unit requested.
Any situations questionable with regard to compliance with the Laws and Regulations shall be
referred to the Supervisor's Office.
PNF SUPPLEMENT: 6400-99-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1999
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6411.34
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FSM 6400 – PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
ANNUAL COST FOR STOCK MAINTENANCE
FEED
$ 16.29
Barley
139.50
Pidbley Hay & Barley
72.50
Barley
432.50
Hay
200.00
Hay and/or Barley
27.00
Hay
130.00
Hay
1,662.62
Hay
$2,680.41 : 5 animals = $536 per animal
VET
$ 164.00
Circle L
330.00
Prescott Animal Hospital
30.00
Circle L
374.00
Circle L
$ 898.00 : 5 animals = $179.60 per animal
MISCELLANEOUS
$ 41.25
21.40
7.05
27.66
73.50
7.88
33.33
20.75
11.95
102.56
38.00
84.56
2.50
31.57
96.00
*$601.96 : 5 = $120.39
per animal
FARRIER
$ 145.00
C. Dobbins
75.00
C. Dobbins
87.00
Jim Rogers
50.00
C. Dobbins
132.50
C. Dobbins
110.00
C. Dobbins
130.00
C. Dobbins
$ 729.50 : 5 animals = $145.90 per animal
TOTAL COST
Feed
$2,680.41
Vet
898.00
Farrier
729.50
Misc.
601.96
Total Per Year
$4,909.87 : 5 animals = $981.98 per animal
*Note: 50% of the above
items will be consumed over
the next 5 years although
purchased this year.