Free-Roaming Horses in the American West

Wild horses on US federal lands face ongoing controversy over management methods, population size, and welfare implications.

Key Facts

Approximately 80,000 wild horses and burros live on BLM-managed land in 10 western states
Bureau of Land Management roundups use helicopters to drive horses for capture — a highly stressful process
Captured horses are held in short-term and long-term holding facilities for potential adoption or indefinite care
Fertility control vaccines including PZP have proven effective in controlling population growth humanely
An estimated 60,000 horses are held in government holding facilities at significant cost and welfare concern

Welfare Considerations

BLM roundups cause acute welfare harms including injuries, family separation, and capture myopathy in some individuals. Long-term holding facilities warehouse horses in conditions far below their behavioral needs. Fertility control programs offer welfare-consistent population management but have received insufficient funding relative to roundup programs.

What You Can Do

Advocate for increased BLM funding for fertility control programs over helicopter roundups
Support adoption programs for wild horses with appropriate placement vetting
Contact your congressional representatives about funding equitable wild horse management policies