What’s Happening to Wild Horses?
Across the American West, tens of thousands of wild horses and burros—the living symbols of our nation’s untamed spirit—are being rounded up and removed from their native ranges. These roundups, often carried out using low-flying helicopters, result in extreme stress, broken families, injuries, and, far too often, death. Once captured, many are confined to crowded holding pens, stripped of their freedom, sometimes for the rest of their lives.Across the American West, tens of thousands of wild horses and burros—the living symbols of our nation’s untamed spirit—are being rounded up and removed from their native ranges. These roundups, often carried out using low-flying helicopters, result in extreme stress, broken families, injuries, and, far too often, death. Once captured, many are confined to crowded holding pens, stripped of their freedom, sometimes for the rest of their lives.
Learn more in this article by Craig C. Downer where he gives a detailed account of what’s going on.
The Government’s Justification:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) claims that wild horses and burros are overpopulated and degrading public rangelands. They cite a target number—called the “Appropriate Management Level” (AML)—of just 25,556 wild horses and burros, despite an estimated 73,000+ currently roaming public lands as of early 2025.
But this number is arbitrary and hotly contested. The BLM allocates vastly more land and forage to commercial livestock grazing than to wild equines. In fact, cattle outnumber wild horses on public lands by at least 30 to 1, yet wild horses are consistently blamed for overgrazing.
The Advocate’s Perspective:
Wild horse defenders argue that this is not a population crisis—it’s a political one.
Public land is being sacrificed to powerful livestock and energy interests. Wild horses are being scapegoated and erased to clear the way for cattle, oil drilling, and mining. In doing so, we are not only destroying an American icon, but also disrupting delicate ecosystems where wild horses actually help restore balance by grazing on invasive species, reseeding native grasses, and dispersing nutrients through their movement.
Advocates also point to serious ethical concerns about the Adoption Incentive Program, which has funneled horses into the hands of buyers who later send them to slaughter—despite federal protections. In 2024 alone, over 17,000 horses were shipped to slaughter in Canada and Mexico, often after passing through the hands of kill buyers pretending to adopt them.
This Is a Crisis of Compassion.
Our wild horses are being managed to extinction—chased by helicopters, torn from their families, penned like cattle, and betrayed by the very system meant to protect them.
These animals are not “excess inventory.” They are sentient beings with complex social structures and deep bonds. They belong to the land they’ve roamed for generations. We have the power—and the responsibility—to protect them.
“In 2024 alone, over 17,000 horses were shipped to slaughter in Canada and Mexico, often after passing through the hands of kill buyers pretending to adopt them.”
5 STEPS TO END BRUTAL ROUNDUPS
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1. Study about the plight of the wild horses and burros. Learn about the history of the herds in your state.
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2. Call your state representatives and officials to protest these round-ups.
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3. Find ranchers or horse lovers willing to adopt the horses in custody of BLM.
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4. Take a photo with our poster and share to social media. Plus, donate to our mission to help these horses find homes.
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5. Bear witness! Attend roundups and take photos/video to show what is happening to our wild horses and burros.
🛑 What You Can Do Right Now:
The easiest way to help is to be a voice for these poor animals. Contact representatives, senators, governors, etc who can hear your protests and act on them.
- Find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/
- Find any of your public officials and representatives, governors, etc.: http://govtrack.us
- Contact your US Senators and Representatives through the Congressional Switchboard by dialing (202) 224-3121 and following the prompts.
- Contact your Senator to Support H.R. 3475 (Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act) and the SAFE Act to end the pipeline to slaughter.
- Contact your elected officials
- Adopt responsibly or offer pasture if you’re able.
- Educate others—share the truth about what’s happening to our wild horses and burros.
Share this information with others so that they can be a part of this too. We need to spread the word and have as much support as we can get for our wild horses and burros.
DONATE NOW to help our campaign thrive. Raising awareness and promoting adoptions for these wild horses and burros is costly. Every bit helps! Thank you!
Every voice counts. Every action matters.
These horses can’t speak for themselves— But you can.
News & Information
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Return to Freedom – Wild horse and burro advocates tracking numbers of those rounded up and killed
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Equine Advocates – Wild Horses and Burros Information
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Pagosa Daily Post – The Last Day of American Wild Horses (and chemical treatment as a contraceptive)
Sky Valencia of St. Martin’s Animal Foundation
“When we passionately fight for the freedom of these beautiful wild horses and burros, we are fighting for our freedom too. Let FREEDOM RING!”
Executive Director for the Saint Martin’s Animal Foundation, creator of Veganized with Sky and Letha, and creator of Goldie’s Organic Dog Treats. Vegan pioneer, producer, and artist.
Fia Perera – Animal Activist, Writer / Director
“This planet is in desperate need of transformation and action taken for the defenseless animals”.
Fia has over 20 years working with NGO’s on various Campaigns to stop the Canadian seal, fighting the dog meat trade with No To Dog Meat stopping poaching in Africa with VETPAW. Fia has rescued over 70 farm animals and as a proud mother to 2 rescue horses is committed to helping end the BLM’s crusade to exterminate the last Wild Mustangs in this country.
Randal Massaro – Activist
“Fight as if their lives depend on it because it does. Stop the wild horse and burro round ups. Stop the slaughter.”
Old fashioned, a man of integrity, Randal started out from humble beginnings, worked various jobs, retired from law enforcement, but concerned about the environment and wildlife. He joined and became a Greenpeace rep, later become an actor and the National President of Union Members for the preservation of wildlife international.
Lori Alan – Voice Actor
Lori Alan is an active member of Our Planet Theirs Too, which established National Animal Rights Day (NARD)
NARD’s global events exist to commemorate the billions of animals who die every year by human hands, educate the public about the cruelty free plant-based alternatives and celebrate the progress that is being made towards ending the suffering of animals.
Sheena Gao – Musician & Activist
Sheena is a violinist, fashion designer, stylist, video producer, and a vegan world traveler. She is the founder of Facebook group Mercy for Chinese Dogs where she educates the world on Asian dog meat trade, promotes animal rights, global unitys and humanity. Sheena has also been working on animal rescue with domestic and international groups such as Animal Hope And Wellness Foundation, China Doll Rescue, Vanderpump Dogs Foundation, St. Martins Animal Foundation, ping an a fu, 812 Loyal Dog Rescue house, and Sheep Heal Project.
Lindsey Baker – Host/Producer
“None of us will be free until all are free. What hurts one hurts all. We are all connected.”
Action Hour TV – Jane Unchained News Network – SM Influencer /content creator – Rizzle.tv/u/lindseybaker
Lindsey became an vegan/activist 7 years ago when she returned to Los Angeles. She began a new career as an artist/performer for social change and conservation.
Tina Wooten – Activist
Billy McNamara – Actor
Shaurica Clark of Celestial Sister Boutique
Jennifer – Activist