Wildlife

Wild Horse and Burro Management Welfare

Feral horses and burros on US public lands are managed through controversial roundups and long-term holding facilities that raise significant welfare concerns.

Key Facts

The US Bureau of Land Management manages approximately 80,000 wild horses and burros
Helicopter roundups can cause injuries, stress, and separation of family bands
Over 60,000 horses are held in long-term pasture facilities at significant federal cost
Fertility control using PZP vaccine is an effective non-lethal population management tool
Many advocacy groups oppose roundups while ranching interests push for more aggressive removal

Welfare Considerations

Helicopter roundups cause acute welfare harms including injuries, foal deaths, and profound social disruption to stable family bands. Long-term holding in pastures is less harmful but prevents natural behavior expression. Fertility control applied by skilled volunteers represents the most welfare-compatible management approach available for free-roaming horse populations.

What You Can Do

Support fertility control programs as the primary wild horse management tool
Oppose helicopter roundups and advocate for humane ground-based management
Adopt a wild horse or burro through BLM adoption programs if equipped to care for equids
Advocate for adequate public land for horses that balances grazing interests
Donate to organizations promoting humane wild horse management solutions