Wild Wild Horse and Burro Welfare Management

Wild horses and burros on public lands in the United States face welfare challenges from overpopulation relative to available forage, with management approaches ranging from roundups to fertility control.

Key Facts

Approximately 82,000 wild horses and burros roam Bureau of Land Management lands in 10 western states
The target appropriate management level is approximately 27,000 — creating persistent overabundance
Helicopter roundups capture tens of thousands of horses annually for holding in federal facilities
Over 50,000 horses are held in long-term holding facilities at enormous expense and welfare cost
Fertility control using PZP vaccine is a proven, humane alternative to roundups for population management

Welfare Considerations

Wild horses rounded up by helicopter experience acute stress, injury risk from flight panic, and separation from established herd social bonds. Long-term holding facilities house horses in conditions far removed from the wild social lives and ranging behavior they evolved for. Fertility control using PZP vaccine delivered by dart allows population stabilization without roundup stress or long-term holding. Supporting transition from roundup-based management to fertility control preserves wild horse welfare while addressing the legitimate concern of overgrazing on public lands.

What You Can Do

Support American Wild Horse Campaign advocating for fertility control over helicopter roundups
Contact your congressional representatives about supporting more humane wild horse management
Learn about PZP fertility control and its proven effectiveness as a roundup alternative
Advocate for increased fertility control funding in the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program budget