It’s Suzanne, the Executive Director of American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), reaching out one more time with an urgent update on our end-of-year fundraising goal.
We are SO close to the finish line on our $200,000 goal – and the clock is ticking. We’re already 95% of the way there, but we need a final surge of support before midnight to push us over the top. Your contribution right now is absolutely critical. Will you help us close the gap?
Don’t forget, thanks to a generous $100K matching gift, every dollar you donate before midnight will be DOUBLED — giving you the chance to make 2x the impact in protecting wild horses and burros.
I’ll keep this quick: We’re coming up on our biggest fundraising deadline of 2024 — our $200,000 End-of-Year goal with a $100,000 matching gift. We’re still just 88% of the way to our goal, and I’m worried that for the first time ever, we may not get there.
Together, we can ensure that our work in 2025 gets off to the strongest start possible; with funding for our ambitious legal, legislative, and field program goals.
I can’t wait to see what we achieve together for our wild horses and burros in the year ahead. If it’s anything like the momentum we’ve experienced this year, we have a lot to be hopeful about. Thank you for all that you’ve done to power our movement in 2024.
We’ve accomplished so much, so I want to share with you a video our team put together highlighting some of our 2024 victories. We’re so proud of what we’ve been able to do and are so grateful for your belief in our work.
On behalf of our whole team, thank you for your compassion and dedication to protecting wild horses and burros. We wish you and your family a peaceful and healthy New Year.
For the wild ones,
Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation
Two young fillies — barely a year old — were found in a Texas kill pen this month. This is their story.
The pair survived a traumatic helicopter roundup in California’s Calico Complex last fall, which resulted in 42 deaths. After that, they endured months in federal holding facilities only to be sold through the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Sale Authority Program for just $25. Weeks later, they were nearly lost to slaughter.
Photo by RJF Equine
This tragic story isn’t unique. Thousands of federally protected wild horses and burros are at risk of entering the slaughter pipeline every year.
Thanks to our Rescue Fund and partners at RJF Equine, Inc. and the Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, these fillies got their happy ending. But so many more wild horses and foals still need our help. Our Rescue Fund is critical to stepping up when wild horses face life-or-death moments, and we urgently need your help to sustain it.
Thank you, RJF Equine, Inc., for giving these sweethearts a freedom ride from the kill pen and a safe place to heal before going to their forever home.
Thank you to the Oregon Wild Horse Coalition for helping coordinate their rescue.
Thank YOU, for standing with us to keep America’s wild horses wild, safe, and free.
Happy New Year,
AWHC Rescue Team
P.S. The clock is ticking! All gifts made through midnight on December 31 will be MATCHED, doubling your impact for wild horses in need. Donate today to power rescues like these two fillies’ life-saving freedom ride. Click here to give →
While the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) inhumane treatment of wild horses is often in the spotlight, the welfare of wild burros can be overlooked. At American Wild Conservation (AWHC), we’re fighting to keep the plight of these iconic animals at the forefront, but we’re sad to report that 2024 was one of the worst years for burros in recent history.
Over the course of the year, the BLM used helicopters to roundup over 2,790 wild burros from their homes, including nearly 300 from the Mairetta wild burro range in Nevada.
Burros from the Marietta Wild Burro Range, Nevada
Wild burros are at risk like never before, with the BLM planning to round up even more of these innocent animals next year. That’s why we need to be ready to fight back for them on all fronts, from the courtroom to Congress.
Unlike wild horses who run into the trap site in their family groups, wild burros are stoic and often stand their ground in the face of the helicopters or scatter in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, roundups can be even more traumatic and taxing for these incredible animals.
But helicopters aren’t the only cruel tactic the BLM employs — BLM contractors have gone so far as to use electric cattle prods on burros, such as during the Black Mountain roundup in 2022. The BLM’s own Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) assessment of the roundup detailed one contractor abusively hitting, kicking, striking, and beating a captured burro.
$30 — That’s the cost to vaccinate a single mare with a Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) vaccine.
PZP is a safe, reversible fertility control vaccine used to manage wild horse populations humanely. It’s given to female horses in the wild through remote darting. The vaccine works by preventing fertilization without disrupting the horse’s natural hormones or behavior.
AWHC is proud to run the world’s largest humane fertility control program for wild horses on Nevada’s Virginia Range.
In fact, the Virginia Range program has been so successful that it was the basis for a peer-reviewed scientific paper, published in the journal Vaccines, that affirmed the feasibility of fertility control programs in large wild horse populations who live on expansive habitats.
Through humane fertility control, we’re proving that there is a better way to manage wild horse populations that doesn’t rely on cruel and costly helicopter roundups, which strips thousands of these innocent animals of their freedom — and this year we worked to build upon the success of our Virginia Range program by expanding fertility control to other herds across the West, such as the Cedar Mountain wild horses in Utah!
And don’t forget → Thanks to some of our generous donors, every gift made now through tomorrow at midnight will be 2X MATCHED. That means your $30 gift today helps not 1, but TWO HORSES!
We are the voice of America’s wild horses and burros the courtroom, fighting tirelessly to protect these iconic animals from cruel and unlawful government actions. Thanks to your support, we’ve made remarkable progress in holding the Burea of Land Management (BLM) accountable through legal challenges — and our fight is far from over.
Your donation to our Policy and Litigation Fund empowers us to pursue justice for wild horses and burros in the courtroom and in Congress. Through litigation, we’ve already challenged the BLM’s harmful actions. Every contribution we receive before midnight on December 31 brings us closer to ensuring a future where these animals can roam free.
Here are a few examples of our recent legal victories and ongoing litigation efforts:
Wyoming’s Checkerboard Area: For over a decade, we’ve been engaged in a hard-fought battle to prevent the BLM from eradicating wild horses from over two million acres of habitat in Wyoming. After a disappointing decision from the lower court, we quickly filed an appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our legal team has laid out a compelling case, and we’re fighting to protect these herds and keep them free from unnecessary roundups.
Devil’s Garden Wild Horse Territory: In California, we’ve filed an objection to a flawed management plan that continues to impose outdated population limits on the Devil’s Garden herd. This is an area where we’ve expanded habitat, yet the United States Forest Service (USFS) has failed to adjust its restrictions to reflect the increased resources available for these horses. This is just one example of how we’re taking action to ensure that wild horses are treated fairly and kept free from outdated, restrictive policies.
FOIA Investigations: We also regularly use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to investigate BLM policies and programs. With over a dozen active FOIA lawsuits against the agency, we’re demanding transparency and exposing abuse, fraud, and waste within federal programs affecting wild horses and burros.
Will you support us in this fight? Your donation to our Policy and Litigation Fund will fuel these ongoing cases and ensure we have the resources to keep fighting for justice.
With your help, we’ll continue to challenge the BLM’s unjust actions and secure a future where wild horses and burros remain free and protected on public lands.
Thank you for being a part of this crucial fight. Together, we can win for our wild herds.
Thanks to a generous $100,000 matching gift, we have the incredible opportunity to double your impact through December 31. Our goal is to raise $200,000 by midnight on December 31, and we need your help to make it happen.
As the year draws to a close, our commitment to holding the federal government accountable for the devastating impacts of helicopter roundups on our wild herds has never been stronger. With your support, we’ve made significant strides in exposing the reality of these inhumane practices.
Thanks to our Observation Fund, AWHC representatives are on-site at nearly every Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helicopter roundup. Their presence is vital, shining a light on the harsh realities of these inhumane operations.
For example, this summer in Blue Wing, Nevada, our observers bore witness to the deadliestroundup of the year, where a staggering 42 wild horses lost their lives in just a few weeks. The critical importance of public observation became undeniable during this roundup when a documenter captured horrific footage of a government contractor repeatedly kicking and punching an exhausted wild horse in the head.
Scott Wilson, who documents wild horse roundups on behalf of AWHC, had this to say about the importance of public observation:
“Without difficult video captures such as these, abusive roundup actions would not be brought to light. The video raises the alarming question: Has the BLM lost sight of its protection mandate while losing control of its operation?”
— Scott Wilson, AWHC Photo Journalist
AWHC’s documentation of the shocking abuse at Blue Wing sparked outrage among wild horse advocates and struck a gruesome chord with the public through extensive coverage by national and local media outlets.
As you can see, these observations are vital to holding the BLM accountable for its inhumane practices and shedding light on the urgent need for change.
Without the powerful photos and videos captured by our observers, the public would be kept in the dark about the cruelty unfolding during these roundups. Many times, AWHC is the only organization present on the ground, documenting egregious animal welfare violations. This evidence is more than just eye-opening – it’s a catalyst for real change, fueling bipartisan support in Congress for humane fertility control programs and sparking calls for alternatives to helicopter roundups.
But this work is not easy.
Our team braves harsh conditions, traveling to remote and rugged areas, often in unforgiving weather, to capture the footage needed to expose the truth. It’s an emotionally and physically demanding job that requires resources for travel, equipment, and lodging.
With a huge number of horses and burros slated for roundup and removal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, your support is more important than ever. Your donation enables us to keep our observers in the field, hold the BLM accountable, and advocate for a future where wild horses and burros are treated with the respect they deserve.
As you know, America’s wild horses and burros are under constant threat of brutal helicopter roundups and loss of their freedom on public lands. But the American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is making meaningful progress in Washington D.C. to secure a brighter future for these iconic animals. Your contributions to our Policy and Litigation Fund are driving real change and helping us fight for the protections they deserve.
Here are a few examples of transformative legislation AWHC has worked to advance in 2024:
Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act: AWHC is driving support for this bill, which would end the inhumane use of helicopters in roundups. Already, over 20,000+ letters have been sent to Congress thanks to our grassroots efforts.
SAFE Act: This critical bill would permanently ban horse slaughter plants in the U.S. and prohibit the transport of American horses to slaughterhouses abroad.
Ejiao Act: By stopping the U.S. import and sale of ejiao, a gelatin made from donkey hides, this legislation would make a significant impact on the global donkey skin trade.
We work tirelessly to build bipartisan support in Congress that protects America’s wild horses and burros. Through this intentional coalition-building and strategic advocacy, we’ve achieved meaningful victories for America’s wild herds.
One notable success is securing language in both the House and Senate’s Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills that advances humane fertility control programs and directs up to $11 million in federal funding away from inhumane roundups.
As you can see, our government relations work is critical, but it takes significant resources to keep our momentum up. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year — and with the BLM planning to round up more than 11,000 wild horses and burros — we need your support now more than ever.
P.S. Stay tuned for another email this afternoon for more information about how your contributions to our Policy and Litigation Fund are funding critical work in the courtroom. And click here to donate now →
Our wild herds are suffering. Each year, thousands of innocent wild horses and burros are stripped of their freedom in cruel and costly Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helicopter roundups.
These operations are extremely traumatic events. Many horses and burros suffer severe injuries trying to escape the helicopters, and some even lose their lives during and after the roundups end. Those who do survive are often forced to endure the heartbreak of being separated from their families as they’re shipped off to overburdened government holding facilities.
To this end, we’ve assembled and trained a team of photographers and videographers to cover as many helicopter-capture operations as possible. Through their powerful reports, photos, and videos, we expose the harsh realities of these operations, creating undeniable evidence of cruelty and informing the public, the media, and Congress about the need for change. Our observation program is extremely critical to protecting wild horses and burros, but the truth is, we simply can’t do this without your support. Getting our observers out to the remote areas of the West where roundups are conducted (and keeping them there) isn’t easy. The average cost to cover their food and lodgings and to equip them with four-wheel-drive vehicles is approximately $2,500 for just one week at a roundup.
Your generous contributions enable us to send our observers to as many roundups as possible to ensure no wrongdoing against these cherished animals goes unrecorded. We are the boots on the ground, fighting to hold the BLM accountable for its inhumane and unsustainable management practices.
My name is Ari Zucker and I am an ambassador for American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC).
From the time I was a young child, horses were my world. I even stole the reins from my dad at 3 years and took off running with the pony when he would walk me on pony rides. I competed my whole life in Hunter/Jumpers and my main goal was always to rescue a horse from a situation and give him a loving home. I still have my horse Speck, who I rescued off the Kentucky race track at 8 months old. He will be 25 this coming year. I have always had a love for horses and I always will!
Joining the AWHC Ambassador Program has been an incredibly meaningful experience. It’s allowed me to connect with an inspiring community of advocates — from grassroots supporters to fellow public figures — who share my deep love for these majestic animals.
An unforgettable moment of my journey was visiting the Fish Springs range in Nevada with Suzanne Roy, AWHC’s Executive Director. Seeing wild horses thriving in their natural habitat was life-changing. Watching these magnificent animals interact — free and unbroken — filled me with awe and strengthened my commitment to this cause.
That trip wasn’t just inspiring. It was a call to action.
At that moment, I realized how urgent it is to protect wild horses from government roundups and shrinking rangelands. Since then, I’ve been using my platform to amplify their story through public campaigns and personal advocacy. In doing so, I’ve seen the impact we can have when we work together.
AWHC’s efforts have made a real difference in 2024:
AWHC launched the Wild Horse Film and Photography Project to showcase the world of wild horses through high-quality film and broadcasting.
AWHC has driven nearly 4,000,000 advocacy actions this year, including more than 20,000 letters to Congress supporting the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act that was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus to ban expensive, dangerous helicopter roundups.
I’m in awe of these initiatives for awareness and action. But the fight is far from over. Government roundups are still taking horses and foals from their families and the wild, and our window to stop this is closing.
That’s why I’m asking you to stand with me today. Your donation ensures AWHC can continue:
Fighting for humane conservation of wild horses.
Protecting their habitats from destruction.
Amplifying their stories through powerful campaigns.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for wild horses and burros in 2025. That’s why we’ve set an ambitious goal to raise $200,000 by December 31 to fund our lifesaving work. This goal is critical to sustaining our efforts to fight back against brutal helicopter roundups and overburdened holding facilities in the year ahead.
PLUS: Thanks to some of AWHC’s most generous donors, every contribution made before the end of the year will be matched, up to $100,000! That means your matching gift will DOUBLE your donation. Click here to give now →
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) plans for Fiscal Year 2025 are nothing short of alarming: over 11,000 wild horses and burros are slated to be rounded up with more than 10,000 destined for permanent removal from their rightful homes on public lands.
Right now, more than 66,000 wild horses and burros already languish in overburdened federal holding facilities. Even worse,there are more wild horses in these dangerous holding facilities than in the wild. This is unconscionable.
Helicopters will be used for most of these roundups. The devastation caused by helicopter roundups is undeniable – lives are lost and families are shattered. That’s why here at American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), we’re dedicated to documenting every roundup possible, exposing these cruel practices, holding the BLM accountable, and ensuring the public knows the truth.
Our Observation Fund is critical to this work. The photos and videos our observers take create an irrefutable record of cruelty, which helps us drive change in Congress and secure national and international media attention.
We understand that, during a season of warmth and hope, this is not an easy email to read. But we’ve seen change before, and we know our goals for 2025 are achievable with your help.
Just like Wild Horse Annie’s relentless advocacy led to the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, our collective efforts today are paving the way for lasting change. Together, we can secure a future where wild horses and burros roam freely, safe from government mismanagement and inhumane roundups.
My name is Kimerlee Curyl, and I’m a wild horse fine art photographer and advocate. I have been involved with American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) since its inception well over a decade ago. It has been my honor to also be a Creative Ambassador, using my imagery not only to assist in AWHC’s advocacy efforts but also to raise funding to support its mission to protect these beautiful animals. Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite places to see wild horses and how AWHC is fighting to protect it.
The Red Desert is one of the most mystical, magical, and mysterious places to view the wildest of our American wild horses. This landscape is a wild and pure tonic for the soul. If you ever get the opportunity to travel here, I cannot recommend it enough.
Photo Credit: Kimerlee Curyl Photography
The thing is, most people will not get the chance to do so, and it is my sincere hope that through images and stories, we can inspire you to care as deeply as we do about this unique and rugged place.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to eliminate wild horses entirely from vast areas of the Red Desert and drastically reduce their numbers elsewhere. Despite meeting the “thriving natural ecological balance” required by law, the agency rounded up 3,500 horses — nearly 75% of the population — in the 2020-2021 helicopter roundup, at the behest of the Rock Springs Grazing Association (RGSA).
To combat the RGSA’s influence over the BLM, AWHC, Western Watersheds Project, and Animal Welfare Institute took them to court, along with myself and two other Red Desert photographers, Carol Walker and Chad Hanson. In fact, just this July our lawyers argued on behalf of these wild horses in federal court. While the judge’s ruling was not in our favor, we’ve appealed the decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The future of our wild horses, not only in Wyoming but across the West, depends on our ability to fight back and win. At its core, the Wild Horse and Burro Program is strung together with a narrative that supports special interests and has very little to do with “protecting” America’s icons. That responsibility is up to us. Together, it is our job to protect wild horses and burros, and the lands they live on, by using our voices and supporting the organizations working so hard to ensure they have a future — one we will continue to enjoy for years to come.
It is my greatest hope that we win this case and restore wild horses to their rightful place in the Red Desert.
We must act now to ensure that future generations can witness the wild beauty of these horses, just as I have been fortunate enough to do. This fight is not just for the Wyoming mustangs, but for the soul of our public lands and all its inhabitants who thrive here.
As we reflect on this past year, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible community of advocates, supporters, and friends like you who stand up for America’s wild horses and burros.
Photo of Cedar Mountain wild stallion by Tandin Chapman
This year hasn’t been without its challenges — particularly with the heartbreaking federal helicopter roundups that resulted in the loss of too many innocent lives. But through it all, you’ve been there — speaking up, taking action, and proving that the fight to keep these animals wild and free is far from over.
But this year has also brought some incredible progress. Together, we’ve advanced efforts to push for humane conservation initiatives, increased awareness of the flaws in current policies, and supported protections that will help ensure future generations can witness the beauty of wild horses running free.
As the holidays approach, we hope you’ll take a moment to celebrate the victories we’ve achieved together and recommit to the work ahead.
Every voice matters. Every step forward counts.
From all of us at American Wild Horse Conservation, we wish you a season filled with joy, peace, and the wonder of the wild. Thank you for being part of this journey. We couldn’t do it without you.
We have incredible news: Thanks to your support, we met our goal and unlocked a $100,000 end-of-year matching gift!
This milestone means that your generosity will go twice as far to defend wild horses and burros from brutal roundups, unscientific management, and inhumane policies that threaten their freedom and safety. Together, we’ve secured critical resources for our ambitious 2025 agenda, including undertaking new legal battles, investing in field programs, and empowering advocacy work.
Reaching this goal is a testament to the power of the wild horse community. Your belief in our mission to keep America’s wild horses wild and free fuels everything we do.
Thank you for being a champion for wild horses and burros. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with you by our side, we’re ready for the challenges to come.
Onward with gratitude,
Team AWHC
P.S. Your support has set the stage for a historic end-of-year fundraising push. Stay tuned for updates on the impact we’re making together!
Few sights are as breathtaking as wild horses in winter. Against the snowy backdrop of their rugged home, these majestic animals embody the quiet beauty of the American wild.
Photo by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy
Their thick coats glisten with frost, a testament to their ability to thrive even in the harshest conditions. Whether they are peacefully grazing, playfully interacting, or simply standing in the quiet stillness of a snowy day, they are a reminder of how powerful and serene nature can be.
Photo by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy
These images speak to the heart of what we are working to protect: the freedom and beauty of wild horses and the public lands they call home.
We hope these photos bring a moment of peace and joy to your day as you enjoy the holiday season. Thank you for standing with us and for your love and appreciation of these incredible animals.
As 2024 winds down, we’re reflecting on all that you helped us achieve for America’s iconic wild horses and burros. Thanks to your dedication and support, this year has been nothing short of transformative.
Here’s what we accomplished together for American wild horses and burros:
We’ve grown stronger together.
With nearly 900,000 advocates, American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is leading the largest grassroots movement in history to protect wild horses and burros. Your voices have sparked powerful change — like the 20,000 emails sent to the Department of Interior in support of the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2023-2024, which would finally ban the use of helicopters in federal roundups.
We’ve kept wild horses wild.
Our first-of-its-kind land trust secured 3,300 acres of critical habitat for wild horses in Fish Springs, Nevada. This program is setting the standard for humane conservation efforts for wild horses. Not only that, but in the neighboring Virginia Range, we run the world’s largest wild horse fertility control program. Our efforts in Nevada have reduced foal births, proving that the humane solutions we advocate for every day actually work.
We’ve shined a light on injustice.
Our investigations work continued to shine a light on the hidden threats facing wild horses and burros, driving accountability and change. By exposing mismanagement and harmful practices, these investigations have sparked public outrage and fueled calls for reform. Our findings empower advocates and lawmakers to push for policies that prioritize humane, science-based solutions.
We’ve bridged divides.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and livestock permittees in Utah, we pioneered a federal grant-funded fertility control and habitat stewardship program. This partnership has shown that humane solutions can eliminate the need for cruel helicopter roundups.
We’ve strengthened and upheld the law.
With a 90% success rate in court, we’ve successfully defended the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. This year, our lawyers argued for the lives and freedom of Wyoming’s wild horses in federal court. And in 2025, we’re continuing that battle at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. In Congress, we secured support of 77 representatives and 12 senators for language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 spending bill that redirected up to $11 million of the BLM’s budget toward humane management programs. Our efforts have improved conservation efforts, built effective models for state-federal partnerships, and preserved the freedoms of thousands of wild horses and burros who roam public lands across the West.
But that’s not all: We’re also pleased to announce that we’ve received ANOTHER $100,000 matching opportunity for all donations made towards our End-of-Year Goal! That means your holiday gift could go twice as far to help us protect these cherished animals.
Velma B. Johnston, who later came to be known as Wild Horse Annie, was a tireless advocate for wild horses and burros, and her legacy lives on through AWHC’s work and through the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
Wild Horse Annie saw the ruthless and indiscriminate manner in which wild horses were being rounded up from public lands during the 1950s in Nevada. At that time, America’s wild horse population was in rapid decline, and many of these incredible animals were captured by “mustangers” for slaughter.
Not being one to sit on the sidelines, Wild Horse Annie took matters into her own hands. She organized a massive grassroots movement to bring attention to this issue. She brought Americans from across the country together to push for groundbreaking legislation. In fact, she mobilized so many people that wild horse protection was the second most popular issue that constituents wrote to Congress about in 1971.
Because of the work of Wild Horse Annie, Congress unanimously passed the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. This is the most important legislation for wild horses in the United States, and we continue to see its impact today.
Today, 53 years later, the Act has been significantly weakened thanks to the lobbying efforts of special interest groups. That’s where AWHC comes in. Our mission is to fulfill the promise made 53 years ago—but we can’t do it alone. With over 10,000 wild horses and burros targeted for roundups next year, and over 66,000 in federal holding, our work has never been more important.
One of the most powerful ways we fight to protect wild horses and burros is through the courts. Litigation is often the last line of defense against threats to their freedom, safety, and habitats.
Whether it’s blocking dangerous government policies or standing up to groups trying to remove wild horses from public lands, our legal efforts are essential to keeping these iconic animals wild and free. One recent victory we’re especially proud of is our work to defend the Salt River wild horses in Arizona.
Over the last two years, alongside our partners at the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, we’ve faced off against the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in federal court. CBD has repeatedly filed lawsuits aimed at removing this cherished herd from the Tonto National Forest, based on their erroneous belief that wild horses are an “invasive species.” In its most recent legal maneuver, the organization alleged that the horses’ population could harm three endangered bird species, despite clear evidence that AWHC provided to the Court, which shows the Salt River herd’s habitat is located miles away from critical areas for these species.
Thanks to the dedication of our legal team and our partners at the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, the federal court rejected CBD’s claims and upheld its dismissal of its baseless lawsuit!
This victory was made possible by AWHC supporters like you. Here’s how your contributions helped us achieve this win:
Expert Legal Advocacy: Our legal team, led by Randall Weiner, filed a critical friend-of-the-court brief to expose the flaws in CBD’s claims.
Scientific Evidence: AWHC’s Utah Conservation Manager, Tandin Chapman, provided detailed mapping work to prove the Salt River horses are not impacting endangered species’ habitats.
Partnership in Action: We worked closely with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to ensure these cherished horses remain safe and free.
This victory wasn’t just about one herd — it was a win for all wild horses and burros. It demonstrated the importance of using facts, science, and the law to protect our beloved herds from unfounded attacks. But this was just one of many fights to come.
Every year, we face new legal battles to protect wild horses and burros from roundups, removals, and policies that threaten their very existence. These efforts require significant resources, and that’s where you come in.
Right now, thanks to a generous donor, we have a $100,000 match opportunity for our end-of-year fundraising campaign — but we need to raise an initial $30,000 to unlock this incredible match, and we’re just halfway there.
Today is a very special day… It’s National Day of the Horse!
In 2004, Congress designated December 13th as a day to honor the incredible contributions horses have made to the economy, history, and spirit of the United States. Here at American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), we’re celebrating the best way we know how: by doubling down on our fight to protect America’s iconic wild horses and burros in the field, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill.
But that’s not all: We’re also pleased to announce that we’ve received ANOTHER $100,000 matching opportunity for all donations made towards our End-of-Year Goal! That means your holiday gift could go twice as far to help us protect these cherished animals.
Your support couldn’t come at a more critical time. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to round up over 10,000 wild horses and burros in Fiscal Year 2025. That’s thousands of innocent animals facing the risk of being torn from their families, injured, or even funneled into the slaughter pipeline through the BLM’s broken Adoption Incentive Program. And with 66,000 currently held in holding facilities, the threat of slaughter has never been higher.
In this week’s e-news, you’ll learn about a devastating wave of wild horse shootings, including the loss of a treasured Onaqui stallion. We’ll share how you can take action to support the SAFE Act against horse slaughter, and we’ll introduce our holiday gift guide full of incredible gifts that help protect America’s wild horses and burros. Thank you for standing with wild horses!
In the last few years, over 60 wild horses and burros have been shot. Deseret News covered these tragic events, including the shooting of a beloved Onaqui stallion, Pyrite. American Wild Horse Conservation is calling for justice and stronger protections for America’s wild horses in response to this heartbreaking incident. Read the story below!
This year, make your holiday shopping meaningful with gifts that give back! From beautiful artwork and unique accessories to thoughtful stocking stuffers, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Every purchase supports efforts to protect America’s wild horses and burros, ensuring they can roam free for generations to come.
Celebrate the season of giving by choosing gifts that make a difference. Explore the guide and find the perfect way to show you care — while standing up for the iconic wild horses we all love.
The SAFE Act (H.R. 3475) would finally ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and prohibit the export of both domestic and wild equines for slaughter. Currently, this important bill has 237 cosponsors in the House and is close to surpassing the highest number of cosponsors the bill has ever had in the House of Representatives. This milestone is critical to securing more support and finally passing a national ban on horse slaughter. The current Congress is quickly drawing to a close so time is of the essence! Take action now!
‘©Photo of helicopter roundup in action by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy
