Wild horses (mustangs) in North America and feral horses elsewhere face ongoing welfare and management debates. Finding humane solutions that respect both ecological needs and horse welfare is an ongoing challenge.
Wild horse management involves genuine welfare conflicts. Overgrazing by large horse populations harms range ecosystems and affects the welfare of other wildlife. But helicopter roundups cause panic, injuries, separations, and deaths; long-term holding in corrals imposes severe welfare costs on socially complex animals. Fertility control through field darting with PZP vaccine represents the most welfare-positive management approach, preventing population growth without the trauma of capture and removal. It is labor-intensive but effective where implemented consistently. Long-term solutions require adequate funding for non-lethal management and genuine engagement with the complexity of mustang welfare, ecology, and cultural significance.