Wild Horse and Burro Management in the American West

Approximately 82,000 wild horses and burros roam federal lands in the American West, caught between competing interests of ranchers, conservationists, and animal advocates.

Key Facts

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 protects mustangs on federal lands
BLM manages over 82,000 wild horses and burros on rangelands and in holding facilities
Holding facilities house approximately 62,000 animals at enormous cost
Fertility control programs can humanely manage population growth at lower cost
Wild horses are descended from domesticated horses brought by Spanish explorers

Welfare Considerations

Wild horses in BLM holding facilities face significant welfare concerns: social disruption, inadequate space, and the stress of permanent confinement after a free life. Roundup operations using helicopters cause injuries and occasionally deaths. However, unmanaged population growth causes environmental degradation that leads to starvation. Fertility control — specifically PZP contraceptive vaccines — offers a humane middle path that is underutilized. The welfare solution requires addressing the political economy driving roundups.

What You Can Do

Support funding for BLM fertility control programs over roundup and holding
Adopt a federally protected wild horse through official BLM adoption programs
Advocate for range management practices that accommodate both cattle and horses
Support organizations like American Wild Horse Campaign that promote humane management
Contact your representatives about supporting PZP contraceptive funding