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Wild Horse and Burro 2025

Wild Horse and Burro articles for 2025

How one teenage voice sparked change for wild horses

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

At the American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), we are constantly inspired by the dedication and passion of our supporters.

Today, we want to share the incredible story of Kristie Churchly and her teenage daughter, Layla, whose advocacy for America’s wild horses has sparked meaningful change.

Their journey began with a family trip to Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area (HMA) in northwest Colorado, where they were captivated by the beauty and strong family bonds of the wild mustangs living there. Seeing the iconic stallion Picasso sealed their passion for wild horse conservation.

That passion continued to grow over the years, culminating in a remarkable moment in Layla’s high school biology class. After a lesson on wild horse management that left out critical details about the challenges these animals face and the humane conservation solutions available, Layla saw an opportunity.


Photo by Tandin Chapman

Determined to make a difference, she conducted research, met with her teacher, and helped expand the curriculum to present a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of wild horse issues. Her courage and enthusiasm inspired her classmates and demonstrated the power of one thoughtful voice to spark positive change.

Layla’s advocacy didn’t stop there — she even gentled a yearling mustang named Story through the Meeker Mustang Makeover, and her family ultimately adopted him.

At AWHC, we’re proud to work alongside passionate advocates like Kristie and Layla, who show that every action, big or small, can make a difference for America’s wild horses.

There are so many ways you can join this important mission:

Volunteer: Whether it’s participating in events or advocating for humane management practices, your involvement directly impacts the future of wild horses.

Donate: The most powerful way to make a lasting difference is by donating. Your gift supports AWHC’s vital work to protect wild horses and ensure they remain wild and free.

DONATE

Together, we can build a future where wild horses continue to roam freely as a living symbol of freedom and resilience.

Thank you for standing with us.

Warmly,

Team AWHC

In this week’s eNews: AWHC at Desert International Horse Park!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

In this edition of eNews, we’re sharing exciting updates in the fight to protect our wild herds, including American Wild Horse Conservation’s (AWHC) participation in an educational summit on wild horse advocacy, as well as our time at Desert International Horse Park last weekend, where we connected with the equestrian community. We’re also monitoring a troubling development at the Devil’s Garden roundup and taking action to protect public observation rights.

Read on to learn more!

Tune in: Unveiling the Flaws in the BLM’s Adoption Programs

AWHC’s Amelia Perrin is participating in an online educational summit, joining other wild horse advocates and experts to discuss advocating for wild horses and burros. She will be presenting on the flaws of the Adoption Incentive Program and how in-the-wild conservation could modernize wild horse management. Tune in on February 3, 7:30 pm EST!

REGISTER NOW!

 

AWHC in the Big Arena

Last week, AWHC had the honor of being the presenting sponsor of week three at Desert International Horse Park! We were honored to also be the title sponsor for the Grand Prix event on Saturday evening. It was a great week of connecting with the equestrian community and even introducing them to once wild, rescued mustang Blazey! Read about the whole week below!

READ THE BLOG!

 

A Troubling Start to the 2025 Observation Season

Last week, the United States Forest Service (USFS) suddenly restarted the Devil’s Garden wild horse roundup. The restart came with little-to-no notice and troubling restrictions: the USFS limited public observation to just two days and capped attendance at four individuals. AWHC is on alert to ensure this does not signal a change in the public’s already diminished right to view and document wild horse roundups. Read more about this shift and how AWHC took action.

READ MORE

 

Recapping Our Florida Lunch & Learn

In partnership with the Wild Horse Rescue Center (WRC), AWHC hosted a lunch and learn event to bring together advocates from Florida to talk all about wild horses and meet WRC’s rescued mustangs. Read more to learn about the event and see some of the horses!

READ MORE

Thank you for reading!

Team AWHC

$120K roundup vs. $30 vaccine

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Porcine Zona Pellucida.

Better known as the PZP vaccine, this fertility control tool is a safe, effective, and humane solution for managing wild horse herds. Unlike cruel and costly helicopter roundups carried out by federal agencies, PZP allows wild horses to remain free on the range. Best of all, a single dose costs just $30.

Will you help us celebrate the 30th of January with a gift of $30 to cover the cost of protecting one wild mare and her family from becoming the target of another cruel, costly government roundup operation?

DONATE $30 ON JANUARY 30

Meet Empress, a wild mare from Nevada’s Virginia Range who has greatly benefited from American Wild Horse Conservation’s (AWHC) groundbreaking PZP program. Between 2014 and 2019, she has had five beautiful foals, contributing to the genetic health of her herd. Not only has our PZP program kept her free, but it has also kept her healthy. With a break from pregnancy, she is able to live out her golden years, thriving in the wild where she belongs.

Will you help us protect mares like Empress? Donate $30 now to help us deliver sustainable, humane solutions to our iconic wild herds.


Empress, a Virginia Range wild mare.

Despite PZP’s proven success, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is failing to use this humane management strategy at scale. One blatant example is Nevada’s Fish Creek roundup, which ended with nearly 200 horses captured earlier this month. This cruel, costly helicopter roundup could have been prevented.


Photo of Fish Springs HMA roundup taken by an AWHC observer.

Five years ago, AWHC submitted a formal proposal to launch a humane PZP fertility control program in the Fish Creek Herd Managment Area (HMA). The proposal underwent extensive review, but the BLM withheld final approval without explanation.

Despite this, we’re continuing to expand groundbreaking fertility control programs in other areas, proving the safety and efficacy of PZP. Since 2019, our groundbreaking fertility control program in northern Nevada has seen a 67% decline in foal births, stabilizing this population in areas where development is encroaching on their habitat.

The PZP vaccine keeps mares wild and free on the range for a mere lifetime cost of just over $3,500 — pennies on the dollar when you look at the staggering $48,000 it costs to keep just one horse in government holding for life.

By donating $30 today, you can help cover the cost of one PZP dose, directly contributing to the long-term solution for keeping wild mares like Empress safe, free, and wild. This January 30, will you help us make a difference for America’s wild horses by supporting a humane, lasting solution?

DONATE $30 ON JANUARY 30

Thank you for standing with us in defense of these iconic animals.

Sincerely,

Team AWHC

Thank you

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Thank you for your incredible support in our mission to protect America’s wild horses and burros. Whether you took action this month or generously gave to support our cause, you have fueled our fight to stop the cruel, costly helicopter roundups that threaten these magnificent creatures.

With your help, we are amplifying our voice in Congress, strengthening advocacy efforts state by state, and pushing for science-forward, humane fertility control alternatives.

We couldn’t do this critical work without champions like you. Every dollar you contribute and every action you take brings us one step closer to ending the federal government’s outdated, destructive herd management program and ensuring American wild horses and burros roam free as nature intended.

Please know that wild horses have a brighter future because of you.

I will personally continue to keep you updated on the progress your generosity makes possible. Thank you for being part of this movement.

With gratitude,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

 

 

 

Rare Wild Horses Under Attack in Nevada

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Just six days into the new year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launched a roundup of wild horses in the Fish Creek Herd Management Area (HMA) in Nevada. Over the course of four days, and in snowy, bitterly cold conditions, the BLM captured nearly 200 wild horses, threatening their lives and families and wasting thousands of taxpayer dollars in the process. Will you help us fight back against the BLM’s cruel, unnecessary campaign against our wild ones? 

POWER OUR FIGHT

This roundup posed a direct threat to the curly-coated wild horses who call the Fish Creek HMA home. And rather than ensuring their freedom, the BLM is spending $127,195 of our taxpayer dollars to remove them from the wild.


Photo from the Fish Creek HMA by AWHC observers

The Fish Creek HMA spans 230,675 acres south of U.S. Highway 50 in Nevada, and was home to an estimated 245 wild horses following the Spring 2024 foaling season. However, the BLM’s arbitrary and unscientific Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the area is just 101-170 horses — far too few to sustain a genetically healthy population.

This roundup should never have happened, and this is not the first time the Fish Creek herd has been the center of controversy.

  • 2015: Ranchers blocked the release of mares treated with fertility control back onto the range.
  • 2020: American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) submitted a formal proposal to the BLM to launch a humane PZP fertility control program in the Fish Creek HMA. The proposal underwent extensive review, but the BLM never granted final approval. No reason was ever provided.

Now, the BLM is removing horses that AWHC’s fertility control program could have prevented from being born, could have saved taxpayer dollars and preserved the genetic legacy of this herd. Both the horses and the taxpayers are paying the price for the BLM’s fiscally irresponsible and short-sighted decisions.

AWHC was on the ground to document this tragic roundup and advocate for the Fish Creek wild horses. We’ll continue to fight for humane, science-based management that protects wild horses and respects the will of the American people.

Will you donate $10, $25, or whatever makes sense for you right now, to power our fight for the horses of Fish Creek? 

DONATE NOW

Thank you for being a voice for America’s wild herds.

For the wild ones,

Team AWHC

The government is rounding up the Devil’s Garden wild horses AGAIN

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

The wild horses of the Devil’s Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory in California are once again under threat. This roundup, initiated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in October 2024, has officially resumed with almost no notice and alarming restrictions on public observation. Our observers were only allowed to attend the roundup for two days, and they were restricted from visiting the holding facility where the recently captured horses were held.

Before the observation period started, AWHC sent a legal letter demanding full and transparent public observation of the roundup. When our observers reported even more restrictions while on the ground, we reached out again to the USFS.

Here’s what we know:

  • According to the incoming Modoc Forest Supervisor, the new administration has issued a communications freeze and the USFS is not able to post any roundup updates to its website or social media.
  • Our observation continued to be restricted at the roundup and the corrals. Without full access or any information shared, the public is fully in the dark and there is no opportunity to hold the government accountable.

Every American taxpayer has the right to witness how the government is treating these iconic animals. And we stand ready to defend that right. 

POWER OUR ACTION


Devil’s Garden Plateau Roundup by an AWHC observer.

Will you join us in our fight to protect the right to observe government operations? Your support will help us:

  • Continue legal efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Provide on-the-ground advocacy to protect wild horses.
  • Fight for humane, sustainable conservation practices.
SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY

Together, we can stand up for the wild horses of Devil’s Garden and all our wild herds to ensure they are treated with the respect and care they deserve.

Thank you for standing with us,

Team AWHC

Wild Horses are good for the economy!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Did you know that wild horses are not only iconic symbols of the American West, but also powerful drivers of ecotourism?


Photo by Yasmin Tajik

In a recent article featured in Bustle, the spotlight was on the growing potential of wild horse ecotourism. As word gets out that America’s public lands are home to these iconic animals, people want to travel to them and experience the beauty and freedom of wild horses in their natural habitats.

This isn’t just great news for wild horses and those who love them — it’s great for local economies too! Research shows that thriving wild horse ecotourism could help support local communities, and small businesses like tour operators, hotels, and restaurants near wild horse habitat.

But here’s the thing: This incredible economic and cultural boon is at risk due to the federal government’s mismanagement. And with a new Congress just sworn in, it’s more important than ever that we highlight the role wild horses play — not just as a symbol of our heritage, but as contributors to thriving communities and ecosystems.

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is fighting to protect these animals and keep them where they belong: in the wild. From implementing humane fertility control programs to safeguarding and enhancing critical habitats, our team is on the ground every day, making a difference for our wild herds.

Will you stand with us as we work to conserve these iconic animals so we can protect this vital economic lifeline for communities across the West?

DONATE

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Conservation

93 Lawmakers. 15 Million Advocates. And we’re just getting started…

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Over the past couple of years, we’ve chartered new frontiers in the conservation of America’s wild herds. In 2024 alone, we worked with 93 members of Congress to serve as a clear voice for wild horses and burros on Capitol Hill. Last year our grassroots advocacy reached a staggering 15 million people on social media and earned 278 media mentions, which reached an additional 5.4 million viewers. Our team spent nearly 200 days in the field documenting every major government helicopter roundup. We defended wild horses in the court room and preserved their future through humane, science-backed fertility control on the range.

Our work in advocacy, litigation, documentation, and conservation have all led us to this moment — and to our impactful agenda for 2025. This year, our wild herds continue to face serious threats including habitat destruction, federally funded abuse, and more.

Will you help us build on unprecedented progress and continue the fight to ensure these iconic animals thrive for generations to come?

SUPPORT OUR 2025 ACTION

Our plan for this year is straightforward and impactful, but we know we have challenges ahead. Here’s what we plan to achieve in 2025: 

  • Protect public lands from competing interests such as private livestock grazing.
  • Secure stronger wild horse protections at the state and federal levels.
  • Fund humane, science-based wild horse and burro conservation.
  • Partner with local organizations to rescue at-risk wild horses.

But we can’t do it alone. Your contribution directly impacts our fight to save wild horses and burros. A gift of $25, $50, $100, or any amount will help us target our advocacy efforts toward key decision-makers, rescue wild horses in immediate danger, and develop innovative programs that balance conservation and public land use.

SUPPORT OUR 2025 ACTION

Every dollar makes a difference. Together, we can ensure wild horses continue to roam free across America’s open spaces — just as they were meant to.

Wild horses embody our shared heritage and the spirit of freedom. By donating today, you’re not just supporting a cause — you’re standing with thousands of others who believe in a future where wild horses thrive.

Let’s do this together.

For the wild ones,

Team AWHC

Special Thanks to Wild Horse Champions in the 119th Congress

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Both a new administration and a new Congress have been sworn in.

Please join us in celebrating with renewed thanks and congratulations to four members of Congress who have gone above and beyond for America’s wild herds. The following wild horse and burro champions were sworn in earlier this month after being reelected to serve their constituencies:

  • Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV)
  • Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ)
  • Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ)
  • Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)

To these members of Congress: Thank you for standing firmly by our side in the fight to reform the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) cruel, costly herd management practices. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to protecting these majestic symbols of the American West. Your work on Capitol Hill exemplifies hope and progress toward our mission to preserve the freedom and dignity of American wild horses and burros.

We look forward to continuing this vital work together with the 119th United States Congress.

Will you join us in thanking these members of Congress for their past work and renewing the call for meaningful reform to conserve our iconic wild herds in 2025? Save this graphic to your camera roll and share it on your personal social media accounts. Don’t forget to tag @freewildhorses!

Together, we can keep America’s wild horses free and thriving. Thank you for being an essential part of this mission!

Stay Wild,

Team AWHC

Everything changed when the helicopters came

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

My name is Sage. For years, I called the Buffalo Hills in Nevada my home. I lived peacefully on the open range, where the air was crisp, the mornings were peaceful, and the only thing that mattered was keeping my little one, Washoe, safe.


Photo by Steve Paige

But one day this past November, everything changed.

I will never forget the roar of the helicopter that shattered the quiet morning. I ran as fast as I could, Washoe stumbling by my side, trying to stay close. The ground beneath us trembled as I fought to protect him, but there was no escape. They cornered us, roped us, and took us away from the only home we’ve ever known.


Photo by Steve Paige

After the roundup, we were held captive in a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding facility. Washoe still doesn’t understand what’s going on, and I fear what comes next — for him and for me.

No animal deserves to be treated like this, Meredith. Thankfully, there are people who are fighting for change — like American Wild Horse Conservation. 

AWHC is working tirelessly to end the cruel helicopter roundups that rip wild families apart and rob us of our freedom. They work around the clock to rescue burros and horses like us from being funneled into the slaughter pipeline before it’s too late. They are fighting for a future where we can live in peace on the public lands we’ve called home for generations.

But they can’t do it without your help.

Please, if you can, make a donation today to help AWHC continue their critical work to protect America’s wild horses and burros. Your support could make all the difference — not just for us, but for the thousands of wild horses and burros still out there, clinging to their freedom. Every donation helps AWHC push for humane, common-sense solutions to keep us wild and free.

DONATE

With gratitude,

Sage the Burro

Announcing the 2025 Membership Card!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Drumroll …

The votes are in, and we’re thrilled to unveil the 2025 American Wild Horse Conservation Membership Card!

Please download your virtual member card above to proudly show that you’re a card-carrying member of the AWHC herd!

Your membership powers critical efforts to:
Document and expose inhumane treatment of wild horses and burros during helicopter roundups, ensuring the truth is seen and heard.
Drive policy reform in Congress and across the nation to protect wild horses and burros.
Expand humane fertility control and habitat conservation programs to safeguard their future.
Hold federal agencies accountable through litigation and investigations.
Rescue wild horses from slaughter and help orphan foals through our Rescue Fund.
And so much more!

This year, we’re also reaching new heights by:
Continuing to push for legislative reform through bills like the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act.
Preparing for the release of our global documentary celebrating wild horses.
Expanding our ambassador program to rally more voices in the fight for these iconic animals.

None of this is possible without you, Meredith. Will you renew your support as an AWHC member today to help us achieve even more for wild horses and burros in 2025?

RENEW YOUR SUPPORT

Every time you look at your card, we hope it will serve as a reminder that you are part of a movement dedicated to protecting and preserving the freedom of America’s wild herds.

With gratitude,

The American Wild Horse Conservation Team

This week’s e-news: L.A. Fire Victim Resources

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

As we step into the new year, we are reminded of the resilience of both our wild horses and the communities who stand by them. In this edition of e-news, we’re sharing critical resources for those impacted by the Los Angeles fires, updates from the field on recent roundups, and highlights from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Advisory Board meeting where AWHC advocated for humane management. Plus, dive into an in-depth exploration of wild horses’ legacy in North America.

Thank you for standing with us in our mission to protect these iconic animals.

Los Angeles Fire Victim Resources 

Our hearts go out to all the people and animals impacted by the devastating fires in Los Angeles, including members of our cherished AWHC community—supporters, ambassadors, volunteers, and their families. To everyone affected, we stand with you during this incredibly difficult time and are here to offer support however we can. We are sharing resources to help those in need.

FIND THE RESOURCES

Roundup Updates

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Fiscal Year 2025 roundups have begun. The Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) bait trap roundup is underway with the goal of capturing 16 wild horses. In Nevada, the Fish Creek HMA helicopter roundup began on January 6, 2025, and ended on January 9. Over the course of four days, 194 animals were removed from their home. AWHC was on the ground documenting this operation.

READ OUR REPORT

AWHC at the Bureau of Land Management Advisory Board Meeting 

The BLM Advisory Board held a meeting in Sacramento, California, on January 7–9, 2025. During this meeting, team AWHC spoke in person and virtually about the importance of humane in-the-wild management of the West’s herds, the need for transparency during helicopter roundups, the pitfalls of the Adoption Incentive Program, and the critical role wild burros play in their ecosystems. The Board released its recommendations urging the BLM and United States Forest Service to expand fertility control programs across all federal wild horse herds.

READ MORE

 

In-Depth Reading: The Wild Legacy of North America: A Natural History of Wild Horses

Wild horses are an indelible part of North America’s natural and cultural heritage, embodying both freedom and resilience. Often misunderstood, their story spans millennia and is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of this continent’s ecosystems. Read on to learn more about their evolutionary origins and their dynamic role in modern ecosystems.

READ MORE

FWD: LAST CHANCE! Help us pick our official 2025 AWHC Member Card >>

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Did you see our email on Thursday?

We’re announcing the winning design for our Official 2025 American Wild Horse Conservation Member Card on Wednesday! Make sure to cast your vote now and have a say on the final design! >>

A 2025 AWHC Member Card is *the perfect way* to show the world your commitment to standing up for America’s wild horses and burros.

Will you cast your vote before it’s too late and let us know which of our 2025 card designs is your favorite?

VOTE

Thank you for your input!

Team AWHC

 It’s that time of year!

We’re asking dedicated American Wild Horse Conservation supporters like you to cast your vote and help us select the design for our official 2025 AWHC Member Card!

Option # 1

Option #2

Option #3

A 2025 AWHC Member Card is a great way to show off your dedication to protecting America’s wild herds. Will you cast your vote and let us know which design is your favorite? We’ll be announcing the winner next Wednesday!

VOTE

– American Wild Horse Conservation

 

SURVEY REQUEST: Help us set our priorities for wild horses and burros in 2025 →

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

As we start the new year, our team is not only reflecting on the impact we made in 2024, but also on how we can continue our momentum in 2025 — and we want to understand what priorities are important to you for the coming year. 

From expanding support for fertility control programs to other wild horse herds across the West, to progressing our groundbreaking Land Conservancy Project, we made tangible progress in advancing the cause of wild horse and burro conservation last year.

These remarkable wins are worth celebrating, but until all our beloved wild herds can live out their days wild and free, there is still much to be done. So, our team is busy setting our priorities for 2025 — and, as one of our most dedicated AWHC supporters, we want your valued input.

Will you take a moment to share your thoughts by completing our 2025 priorities survey?

SELECT YOUR PRIORITIES FOR 2025 →

Last year’s successes were made possible because of supporters like you.Together, we can build on those wins in 2025 and continue our mission to protect America’s wild horses and burros.

So, we want to know: What issues would you like to see as our top areas of focus this year? Share your thoughts by taking our 2025 priorities survey today.

Thanks,

Team AWHC

Thanks to You, Wild Horses Have Hope in 2025

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Happy New Year!

As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we made together during the final stretch of 2024.

Your unwavering commitment to protecting America’s wild horses and burros has been nothing short of inspiring.

Your dedication strengthens our mission to safeguard their freedom, advocate for humane conservation, and address the many challenges our wild equines face every day.

In the coming months, we’ll be tackling pressing challenges, from taking a stand against harmful policies to advancing science-backed solutions for wild herd management. And thanks to your partnership, we are facing these challenges head-on.

My team and I will be sharing updates with you every step of the way so you can see the impact of your generosity firsthand. For now, I invite you to take a moment to explore our 2024 Impact Report, which highlights the tangible outcomes your support has made possible and celebrates the progress we’ve achieved together.

Explore Our 2024 Impact Report

Thank you for standing with us and with the wild horses and burros who depend on us.

With gratitude and hope,

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation