Wildlife

Wild Horse and Burro Management Welfare

Wild horse and burro populations in the western United States are managed through controversial roundups that raise significant welfare concerns about stress, injury, and long-term captivity.

Key Facts

Over 50,000 wild horses and burros are held in government holding facilities across the US
Helicopter roundups cause intense fear, separation of family groups, and sometimes death from stress
Holding facilities often keep horses in dry lots without adequate social or environmental enrichment
Immunocontraception is a humane alternative to roundups but is underutilized
Wild horse and burro management is caught between livestock industry interests and animal welfare advocates

Welfare Considerations

Wild horse and burro roundups cause acute suffering through extreme exertion and fear, family group separation, and the transition to barren holding conditions. Foals and older horses are particularly vulnerable to stress-related death during and after roundups. Immunocontraception programs that reduce population growth on the range are more humane than roundup and removal, and their widespread adoption would significantly reduce welfare harms.

What You Can Do

Support expansion of wild horse immunocontraception programs
Advocate for reform of wild horse roundup practices to minimize welfare harms
Oppose policies that result in slaughter of surplus wild horses or burros
Donate to organizations working on humane wild horse and burro management
Contact your representatives about humane alternatives to roundup-and-hold management