Menu

wild burros

Here’s what we achieved for wild herds in 2024

, , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

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.

Before diving into the highlights, I want to ask: Will you help us carry this momentum into 2025? A group of donors has pledged a matching gift of $100,000 to protect wild horses — but first we need to hit our $30,000 goal to unlock this generous end-of-year gift! Click here to give the gift of freedom →

Give the Gift of Freedom


Photo by Yasmin Tajik

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.

We couldn’t do it without you, Meredith.

Your support saves lives. This holiday season, will you consider giving the gift of freedom? Your year-end contribution will protect wild horses and burros where they belong: in the wild.

Give the Gift of Freedom

From all of us at American Wild Horse Conservation, thank you for making 2024 a year of hope.

Warm regards,

 

 

 

 

 

Amelia Perrin
American Wild Horse Conservation

P.S. All donations made before December 31 are tax-deductible for 2024. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference this year!

Fighting the tough fights to protect our wild herds

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

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!

POWER MORE LEGAL WINS LIKE THESE →

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.

Can you chip in to help us take advantage of this 2X matching opportunity and ensure we reach our $200,000 end-of-year goal? Your gift could go twice as far to support our legal work, advocacy efforts, and field programs in 2025. 

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT TODAY →

Thank you,

Team AWHC

Happy National Day of the Horse!!

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

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.

That’s why, in honor of this meaningful day, we’re setting an ambitious goal to raise $200,000 by the end of the year to fuel our critical efforts in 2025.

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!

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.

But there’s a catch, Meredith. This matching gift will only be unlocked if we raise $30,000 to show that we’ve got the support to reach our ambitious goal. We need your help to ensure that we don’t miss this important opportunity. Can you chip in an early gift towards our End-of-Year goal and help us double our impact for wild horses and burros in 2025?

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!

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. 

We’re fighting back on every front – documenting roundups, challenging the BLM in court, and pressuring Congress to demand change. By making a contribution towards our End-of-Year goal, you can help ensure AWHC has the resources we need to advocate effectively for wild horses and burros. In honor of National Day of the Horse, can you chip in today to help us kickstart our End-of-Year goal and unlock an incredible 2X holiday match?

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!

Thank you!

American Wild Horse Conservation

This week’s e-news: Rash of wild horses shot

, , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

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!

AWHC In the News: Rash of Wild Horses Shot, Including Popular Onaqui Stallion

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!

Read More

Bring the Spirit of the Wild Home This Holiday Season!

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.

Shop the Guide

Take Action to Protect Horses and Burros From Slaughter

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!

TAKE ACTION

Thank you for reading and taking action, Meredith.

Team AWHC

Help us reach a historic milestone to keep wild horses SAFE

, , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Each year, tens of thousands of American horses — wild and domestic — are brutally slaughtered for human consumption in Canada and Mexico.

These horses endure grueling journeys without adequate food, water, or rest. At the slaughter plants, they face a terrifying and brutal end. This betrayal of animals who have stood by us as companions, partners, and symbols of the American West must end.

Thankfully, there is hope. The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475/S. 2307) has been reintroduced by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC). This legislation would permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and stop their export for slaughter abroad.

With 237 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, we’re just two representatives away from making history. By surpassing 238 cosponsors — the highest this bill has ever had — we can build the momentum needed to protect these beloved animals. Time is of the essence with only a few weeks left this Congress.

Here are two quick and easy ways you can help: 

FIRST: Please take a moment to send a message to your Members of Congress asking them toto help end horse slaughter once and for all by cosponsoring the SAFE Act.

TAKE ACTION NOW

SECOND: Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your U.S. Representative and Senator. You will likely be asked to leave a message. Simply say:

“I’m a constituent, and I’m calling to ask you to please cosponsor the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475/S. 2307.) Horses and burros deserve to be protected from the cruel, predatory horse slaughter industry.”

TAKE ACTION NOW

Your action today could mean the difference between life and a horrific death for thousands of horses. Thank you for standing with us — and, more importantly, standing with America’s equines, domestic and wild, who can’t advocate for themselves.

Together, we can ensure a safer future for these iconic animals.

Onward,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Take Action! Help us demand justice for Pyrite the stallion >>

, , , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Last month, Pyrite — a cherished stallion of Utah’s Onaqui wild horse herd — was found dead.Evidence from the scene suggests that Pyrite was shot, sometime during the week of November 3, and left to die on the range after succumbing to his injuries on November 10. So far, despite ongoing investigations no perpetrators have been brought to justice.

AWHC has stepped up to offer a reward of $6,000 alongside the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other advocacy groups to incentivize anyone with information to come forward. The total reward sits at $30,000. But, Meredith, this tragedy demands more. Pyrite’s death is not an isolated tragedy. Since 2022, at least 60 wild horses and burros have been killed by senseless violence. Over the years, AWHC has offered a total of $35,000 in rewards, yet only two perpetrators have been convicted.

This is a crisis, and it’s time for the federal government to act. We’re calling on the BLM and the United States Forest Service to establish an investigative task force to put an end to this disturbing violence, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure the safety of wild horses and burros across the West. Will you join us in demanding accountability for Pyrite and the dozens of other horses and burros who have been killed?

TAKE ACTION

Pyrite’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers wild horses and burros face every day. His death must not be in vain, and it cannot be ignored. With your voice, we can send an undeniable message: These innocent animals deserve justice, and the violence must stop. 

Will you sign on today to demand that the federal government take action to protect wild horses and burros from further harm?

TAKE ACTION

Thank you for speaking up, Meredith.

Team AWHC

Special thanks to YOU!

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

I’ve got fantastic news. This Giving Tuesday, we were able to not only meet, but surpass our ambitious goal — and we owe it all to the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you. 

I speak for our whole team when I say we are so grateful for your belief in our mission. Every cent of the money we raised will go toward securing the freedom and safety of America’s wild horses and burros. 

In 2024, your donations made it possible for American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) to educate millions of Americans about the brutal realities faced by our nation’s wild herds, expose the realities of federal helicopter roundups, uncover inhumane conditions in government holding facilities, investigate the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), expand safe, effective in-the-wild conservation initiatives, and so much more. 

We have an ambitious agenda for 2025 — and with your help, we will continue to make incredible strides for American wild horses and burros. We hope that you will continue to stand with AWHC and our beloved wild herds. 

Every member of our herd has a role in this mission — whether it’s financial support, volunteering, or taking action! Please click this link to learn more about how you can advocate for our beloved wild horses and burros. 

From all of us at AWHC, thank you again. We can’t do this work without you. We are humbled and so grateful for your support.

With gratitude, 

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

YOU are the fuel that keeps this work going

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Every victory that American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) secures for our wild herds is made possible by the unwavering generosity of supporters like you. Your dedication fuels our mission to ensure America keeps its promise of freedom for these majestic animals. And together, we’re turning that vision into a reality — through our work in the field, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill.

Today, we want to share with you how pivotal each donated dollar is to sustaining our lifesaving programs. But first, can we count on you to contribute and help us achieve our $100,000 Giving Tuesday goal? Every donation before midnight will be matched, doubling your impact!

HAVE YOUR GIFT DOUBLED → DONATE NOW!

Every dollar you donate to AWHC is a catalyst for real, lasting change for wild horses and burros: 

Fertility Control and In-the-Wild Conservation

Not only does AWHC operate the world’s largest wild horse humane fertility control program on Nevada’s Virginia Range, but we’ve also expanded humane fertility control programs to other herds in the West, such as Utah’s Cedar Mountain wild horses. And that’s not all: Last year, we acquired over 3,300 acres of prime habitat in Nevada’s beautiful Carson Valley to serve as a pilot program for our Land Conservancy Project — an innovative program that aims to preserve and enhance habitat for America’s wild herds for generations to come.

Passing Much-Needed Reform

Your support drives our advocacy for wild-horse-friendly legislation in Congress. This year, we championed the Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act to ban helicopter roundups, generating over 20,000 letters of support during our March 1 Day of Action. We also backed the SAFE Act to ban equine slaughter and the Ejiao Act to protect global donkey populations. We secured endorsements from 77 representatives and 17 senators for reforms directing BLM funding toward humane fertility control with key measures included in both chambers’ bills.

Federal Roundup Documentation and Investigation 

With your help, we continue to expose the harsh realities of federal wild horse and burro roundups, uncover unacceptable conditions at holding facilities, and reveal the dark truths behind the Adoption Incentive Program, which is funneling thousands of mustangs and burros into the slaughter pipeline. By bringing these injustices to light, we drive awareness, inspire grassroots action, and mobilize key members of Congress to push for meaningful reform.

Supporting Rescue Efforts

Your generosity supports the rescue of wild horses and burros at risk of slaughter. We fund orphan foal rescues, our staff participates in daring hands on rescues of horses in peril on the range, and we provide grants to partner organizations for veterinary care, transport, hay, and capacity building to save more wild horses in need.

Grassroots Advocacy

We are elevating the plight of wild horses and burros into the national spotlight through powerful awareness campaigns. These include billboard placements, impactful television and digital media, our celebrity ambassador program, and widespread coverage in traditional media. Our volunteer ambassador program is empowering advocates across the nation to take meaningful action to save wild horses and burros and spread awareness in their own communities.

None of this would be possible without supporters like you, Meredith. Your generosity powers every aspect of our fight to protect America’s wild herds. And now, thanks to an incredible matching opportunity provided by a generous group of donors, every dollar you give before midnight will be DOUBLED. This is your chance to make twice the impact for wild horses and burros across every program we lead. Will you make a contribution before midnight and help us reach our $100,000 matched Giving Tuesday goal?

HAVE YOUR GIFT DOUBLED → DONATE NOW!

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Today your impact is doubled!

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Today is Giving Tuesday, and it’s the single most important fundraising day of the year for American Wild Horse Conservation.

Thanks to an incredibly generous group of donors, every dollar you give today will be matched up to $100,000. This means if you give today, your donation will go twice as far in protecting America’s wild horses and burros!

Thanks to your support, we’ve made significant progress in 2024:

  • Exposing cruelty: We documented nearly every Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helicopter roundup, revealing inhumane treatment and animal welfare violations.
  • Advancing policy change: We’ve translated our documentation efforts into direct policy action. We secured the support of key legislators and built critical momentum in Congress for humane, science-based conservation alternatives to helicopter roundups.
  • Revealing the dark side of the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP): Our investigations have exposed the AIP as a pipeline to slaughter for thousands of wild horses and burros. Our lawsuit against the program is pending in federal court.
  • Growing our movement: We expanded our grassroots coalition through effective public awareness and national ad campaigns, adding 50,000 activists to our “herd.”
  • Protecting habitats and wild herds: We continued groundbreaking conservation projects to safeguard key habitats and prove the effectiveness of humane fertility control.
DOUBLE YOUR GIFT — DONATE TODAY

But the fight isn’t over.

In 2025, we’ll face even greater challenges. With 66,000 wild horses and burros stockpiled in holding facilities, the risk that Congress will authorize lethal alternatives is at an all-time high. We must be ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice, and we can’t do it without you. Your Giving Tuesday gift will fuel critical efforts to:

  • Advocate for stronger protections: We’ll fight for federal laws that prevent slaughter and that ensure humane treatment for all wild horses and burros.
  • Hold the BLM accountable: Through expanded photojournalism and documentation programs, alongside thorough investigations, we’ll expose agency abuse and corruption and demand reforms to protect our beloved wild horses and burros.
  • Expand public campaigns: By growing national awareness and grassroots support, we’ll rally public opposition to slaughter and build momentum for humane, science-based solutions.

This is our most pivotal fundraising day of the year, and we’re counting on you to help us hit our ambitious $100,000 matchedgoal.

Your Giving Tuesday gift could mean the difference between life and death next year for wild horses and burros. Whether it’s $10 or $100, your contribution TODAY will make the biggest impact of any donation all year long.

DOUBLE YOUR GIFT — DONATE TODAY

Thank you for being a voice for America’s wild horses and burros. Together, we can ensure their future on our public lands.

Gratefully,

 

 

 

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

Double impact. Double progress. Double lives saved

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We can hardly believe it! TOMORROW is Giving Tuesday. We’re just hours away from our biggest fundraising day of the year. 

This year, we’re aiming to raise $100,000 to fuel our critical work in conserving wild horses and burros on public lands. Can we count on your support to help us reach this goal?

CHIP IN TO REACH OUR GOAL

And here’s the best part: A generous group of donors has pledged to match every contribution up to our $100,000 goal. That means your donation will be doubled — giving us double the power to protect our cherished wild horses and burros.

Your gift will: 

DOUBLE our ability to document federal helicopter roundups, ensuring wild horses and burros are treated humanely during these dangerous operations and that no animal welfare violation goes unrecorded.

DOUBLE our ability to raise awareness about the threats wild horses and burros face every day, through bold, impactful campaigns across social and traditional media.

DOUBLE our legal efforts to fight back in court to protect wild horses’ rights and their natural habitats for generations to come

DOUBLE our advocacy work to demand fair, humane, and sustainable policies that prioritize wild herd conservation on America’s public lands.

Double the impact. Double the progress. Double the lives saved in 2025.

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we’re asking you to help us make the most of this opportunity. Your gift today will go TWICE as far, helping us continue to lead the fight for wild horses and burros across the West.

CHIP IN TO DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Are you ready to make a difference? The clock is ticking. Help us keep our momentum going!

Thank you for being a vital part of this mission. Together, we can protect the wild horses and burros who need us most.

With gratitude,

Team AWHC

Holiday shopping for good: Please support the businesses that support us!

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

As the season of giving approaches, many of us are making our holiday gift lists—and checking them twice!

Here at AWHC, we’ve been working on a special list of our own: a collection of brands that generously support our mission to keep wild horses wild.

That’s why we’re reaching out today. By shopping from the thoughtful gifts on this list, you’re not only delighting your loved ones but also making a tangible impact. These amazing partners donate a portion—or in some cases, all—of their proceeds to AWHC, directly helping us protect America’s iconic wild horses and burros.

So why not make your Black Friday shopping truly meaningful this year? Every purchase makes a difference in the fight to safeguard these majestic animals and their freedom.

Home & Beauty

Fine Art Photography

  • WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy “Freedom Collection” Prints ($60+). Award-winning conservation photographer, Scott Wilson, has created a stunning collection of wild horse prints taken in Sand Wash Basin, Colorado and 100% of every purchase from this collection supports AWHC.
  • Wild Horse Fine Art Photographer Kimerlee Curyl “Conservation Edition” Collection Prints. Photographer Kimerlee Curyl is known for her unique and artistic approach to capturing and celebrating our national icons. As part of her dedication to AWHC, Kimerlee is offering a 20% discount on every purchase and will donate 20% of every purchase from her Stay Wild Collection and Limited Holiday Release Collection to AWHC.
  • Matt Dusig Fine Art Photography. Photographer Matt Dusig is celebrated for his captivating images of horses from around the world, including the wild mustangs of the American West, the white horses of Camargue, France, and the untamed beauty of Sable Island’s wild horses. As part of his dedication to conservation, Matt offers a 10% discount on every purchase and donates 20% of the proceeds to AWHC.

Grateful for Your Support This Holiday Season

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

My name is Patricia, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as American Wild Horse Conservation’s new board chair. 

During this season of gratitude, I find myself reflecting on the many gifts that enrich our lives — and for me, wild horses stand out as one of America’s most awe-inspiring treasures. 

Like so many, I discovered their beauty and majesty later in life, only to learn about the heartbreaking threats they face: the separation of mothers and foals during helicopter roundups, indefinite confinement in government holding pens, and the cruel reality of slaughter.

Learning about the plight of wild horses led me to AWHC. I believe in our mission and see how AWHC is making a tangible difference. Together, we are setting a new vision for humane wild horse and burro conservation, and leading the conversation with stakeholders and policymakers to turn around the prospects for these cherished animals.  

I have served on our board of directors for two years and am excited to take my work a step further and serve as AWHC’s new board chair. 

I am deeply thankful to my predecessor, Ellie Phipps Price, for her decade of inspirational leadership, during which AWHC built the largest grassroots advocacy base for wild horses and achieved a 90%+ success rate in strategic litigation.

As I look forward to the next year, I am profoundly grateful for you — our supporters and advocates. Together, we’ve created a movement that embodies the spirit of freedom and compassion, and I know, together, we will create lasting change for our beloved wild horses and burros. 

Sending you warm wishes for a season of gratitude, togetherness, and reflection!


Stay Wild,
Patricia 

P.S. Giving Tuesday, our biggest fundraising day of the year, is just days away. Will you consider donating to our efforts so we can continue to grow toward an ambition of lifelong freedom for America’s wild horses and burros?

The thing about us wild horses…

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

I’m Hobbes. You may not know me, but I’m one of Utah’s Cedar Mountain wild horses—and I have a story to tell.

A little over a year ago, I faced what felt like the fight of my life. A bad injury to my front leg made every step a challenge. Some days, I wasn’t sure I’d make it through the winter.

But here’s the thing about us wild horses: giving up isn’t in our nature. Even with a limp, I pushed forward. Through deep snow and biting winds, I found ways to survive. I learned to adapt, move carefully, and conserve my strength. I even managed to avoid being captured during the federal roundup of 2022.

The odds weren’t in my favor, but spring brought hope. Not only had I survived—I had healed and I found something even more precious: a family. I’m no longer just Hobbes the bachelor stallion; I’m Hobbes the protector, the provider. My mare, Annie, and I even have a little pinto foal to call our own now, and a few other yearlings have joined our band as well.

My family and I are lucky. Thanks to American Wild Horse Conservation’s (AWHC) efforts to protect wild horses like me, I’ve been able to stay wild with my family and roam freely. 

AWHC implements a scientifically proven fertility control program in the Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area, where I live. This program shows how herds like mine can be protected and managed in the wild without the use of cruel and costly helicopter roundups.

Life hasn’t been easy, but freedom is worth every single step. And as I stand on my mountain and look over my growing band, I know this: our strength resides in our unshakeable will to keep going, and the wild spirit that defines who we are.

Thank you for caring about wild horses like us. 

Stay wild,
Hobbes

P.S. The work to protect wild horses like me never stops. If you’d like to help ensure more stories like mine have a happy ending—and help AWHC get a head start on their big Giving

An exciting update

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

It’s Suzanne again, Executive Director of American Wild Horse Conservation. I wanted to take a moment to share an exciting update with you ahead of our deadline to unlock an important Giving Tuesday 2X matching donation. With just hours to go, a final donor has come forward to offer an additional $10,000 towards our Giving Tuesday match—bringing the total match potential up to $100,000! Please chip in before midnight to help us secure this incredible 2X matching opportunity for wild horses!

UNLOCK THE MATCH

For over a decade, I’ve been deeply committed to protecting America’s wild horses, standing alongside our AWHC herd. This fight isn’t just about preserving an iconic symbol of freedom—it’s about honoring our shared responsibility to safeguard wildlife and public lands for future generations.

Our wild herds embody the untamed beauty and freedom that define the American West, but that freedom is under constant threat. Federal policies continue to jeopardize their survival through inhumane helicopter roundups, habitat destruction, indefinite confinement in overburdened holding facilities and even the looming threat of slaughter. These challenges are immense, making the fight to protect these iconic animals more urgent than ever

I won’t sugarcoat things, Meredith, this fight isn’t easy. Yet despite the many challenges in front of us, there is hope. Together, through collective action and an unwavering commitment to standing up for our wild herds, we have the power to create lasting change and preserve a legacy of wildness that belongs to us all.

This is why I’m so proud of the entire AWHC team and our herd of grassroots advocates like you. From challenging inhumane roundups in the courts to fighting for humane, sustainable solutions in Congress, we’re making a difference for mustangs and burros—and right now, we have an extraordinary opportunity to amplify our impact by unlocking this $100,000 2X match.

But, only if we meet our goal of raising $50,000 by midnight tonight. We’re less than $1,000 away from unlocking these funds, and your support can help get us across the finish line. Will you make a contribution today to help us secure this critical funding?

UNLOCK THE MATCH

Your donation today will go twice as far to help wild horses. With your support, I pledge to continue the fight to reform our broken federal wild horse and burro management system, fight for humane solutions, and ensure that America’s wild herds remain free for generations to come.

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

Helicopters are descending on thousands of Nevada’s iconic wild horses right now

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Just two weeks ago, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launched a large-scale roundup in Nevada’s Triple B Complex. The agency plans to capture and remove more than 2,000 wild horses from the area, and already, over 1,400 have lost their freedom. Even more heartbreaking, 13 horses have tragically lost their lives since this roundup began. Many died from broken necks and legs and far too many were euthanized by the BLM for treatable conditions, like sway backs.

This is the devastating reality our wild horses and burros face every day, and it’s why our fight to protect them is so urgent. These brutal roundups must end, and we’re doing everything in our power to make that happen — from documenting and exposing these tragedies, to pushing for humane solutions and government accountability.

Right now, we have a chance to significantly amplify our impact, but we need your help. Thanks to some generous donors, every single gift made will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $90,000, doubling the resources we can dedicate to protecting wild horses and burros.

But, this match will only be unlocked if we reach our initial goal of $50,000 by midnight TOMORROW, Thursday, November 21. We’re making progress, but your support is essential to ensure we don’t miss this opportunity. Can you chip in today and help us unlock this critical 2X match?

MAKE A 2X IMPACT

Every donation you make will go twice as far to help us fight against cruel roundups like the one in Nevada. It will enable our team to keep advocating for wild horses — out in the field, in the courtroom, and in the halls of Congress.

Our wild herds deserve better. With your support, we can continue to be their voice and fight for their freedom. Please help us unlock this critical matching gift and double your impact today.

DONATE TO DOUBLE YOUR GIFT

Thank you for standing with us and the wild horses who need you.

Team AWHC

How you can double your impact for wild horses this winter

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

I have some exciting news to share as we continue to prepare for Giving Tuesday, our most critical fundraising day of the year. Thanks to the generosity of some of AWHC’s most dedicated donors, every Giving Tuesday donation will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $90,000! This incredible opportunity means that, with your support, we have the potential to raise $180,000 to fuel our critical work to protect wild horses and burros.

But there’s a catch: This match will only be unlocked if we reach our $50,000 goal before the end of the day on Thursday, November 21. That’s why your support right now is so important.

Please consider making a donation today to help us reach this critical milestone and unlock the full potential of this matching gift. Your contribution will have double the impact on our fight to keep wild horses and burros wild and free.

DONATE

Your support powers our work in the field, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill. As you know, federal mismanagement continues to put wild horses and burros at grave risk—subjecting them to inhumane roundups, indefinite confinement, and even the threat of slaughter. Our team works tirelessly to expose these cruelties, hold the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) accountable, and champion humane, long-term conservation solutions that keep these iconic animals free in the wild where they belong.

Unlocking this matching opportunity would be a tremendous boost for 2025 and beyond, amplifying every dollar we raise to protect the freedom and lives of America’s wild horses and burros.

Please, make a donation today to double your impact and help us unlock this vital $90,000 match. Together, we can achieve so much for these iconic animals.

DONATE

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

Here are our top three priorities for 2025

, , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Our work here at American Wild Horse Conservation never stops. With 2025 just around the corner, we’re already laying the groundwork for continuing our fight for the freedom of our wild herds next year.

HELP US PREPARE FOR 2025 >>

With the new year comes a new administration and a new Congress. Changes in leadership can present fresh opportunities to advance the cause of wild horse conservation, but it can also bring new risks, such as reopening the door to increased roundups and slaughter of these cherished animals. In order to ensure that the progress we’ve made for wild horses and burros continues next year, we’re focusing on four key areas of our work:

  1. Growing and Mobilizing Grassroots Support: Expanding our public awareness campaigns and grassroots activities is critical in order to translate the broad bipartisan public support for wild horse protection into stronger bipartisan legislative protections. We must be ready to quickly rally public opposition against any potential slaughter proposals that resurface. In 2016, we successfully mobilized our grassroots coalition to prevent the White House’s attempt to lift the slaughter ban on wild horses. Due to public pressure, the Senate ultimately blocked the measure. With the growing number of horses in holding, the threat of slaughter persists, and we must be prepared to act again as the last line of defense for our wild herds.
  2. Expanding our legal fund: Expanding our litigation capacity and our legal fund will be critical to continuing to defend the laws that protect wild horses and burros. Our legal team has been at the forefront of numerous court battles to defend wild equines from roundups across the country. In Wyoming, we’ve been fighting in federal court for over a decade to prevent the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from eliminating 2.1 million acres of federally designated habitat for wild horses and slashing the state’s wild horse population by one-third.
  3. Expanding Legal and Humane Management Models: From our groundbreaking Land Conservancy Project to our in-the-wild fertility control programs, AWHC will continue to build solutions that serve as national models for humane conservation of our nation’s wild herds. Through the success of these programs, AWHC is working to chip away at the false narrative that wild horses are invasive or ecologically harmful.

We have a lot in store for us in 2025. Grassroots supporters like you are the foundation of the work we do to protect our wild herds. We’re counting on your continued support to help us achieve our ambitious goals for wild horses and burros in the coming year. Can you chip in whatever you can afford today to power our work for wild horse conservation?

POWER OUR WORK

Thank you,

Team AWHC

Help Us Keep Wild Horse Roundups in Plain Sight

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Urgent Action Needed:
Roundups Hidden From Sight

This is Amelia Perrin with American Wild Horse Conservation. I’m reaching out because we need your help. Thanks to your past contributions, we’ve been able to document federal wild horse roundups, ensuring greater public visibility and enabling legislators and advocates to take action. Your support has played a vital role in shining a light on these operations.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced plans to capture more than 10,000 wild horses this year — but from what we’ve observed so far, the federal government is shielding much of this action from public view.
Take Action
The ongoing federal roundup conducted by the United States Forest Service in Devils Garden Wild Horse Territory in California is a prime example of this. Here are a few recently documented observations from our on-the-ground volunteers:

  • – October 29: The trap site (place set up to capture wild horses) was hidden under thick tree cover, making it impossible for the public to observe.
  • – November 1: No public access to view the trap site or the horses being loaded up and transported out of their habitat in the public land area.
  • – November 6: Observers were placed behind the loading area, with a hill blocking crucial sightlines to the trap site and other roundup action.

Helicopter roundups are taking place in our public lands, and yet public access is being blocked. When the lives of federally protected wild horses are at stake, transparency cannot be an afterthought.
Take Action
We’re calling on the BLM to put cameras on helicopters and wranglers, ensuring the whole operation is visible. When these roundups go dark, it’s more than a lack of transparency — it’s a breach of public trust.
The stakes are high: to ensure wild horses are treated humanely, we need roundups that are transparent to the public eye. Click “Take Action” to take action today, to support our work and make sure we all have eyes on these operations.
Together in pursuit of keeping wild horses wild,
Amelia Perrin
American Wild Horse Conservation

Help us set the stage for our biggest moment of the year

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Our most important fundraising day of the year is just three weeks away.

This year, Giving Tuesday is December 3.

We’ve challenged our team to raise $50,000 by November 21 to kick off a successful season of giving and inspire generous, essential donor matches that will help us achieve our advocacy goals for 2025. Can you chip in today to help us set the stage for Giving Tuesday and power our work to protect wild horses and burros?

GIVE NOW

There’s a lot at stake. As we look ahead at a new fiscal year with a new administration and Congress directing federal agencies, our efforts are more important than ever. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wild horse and burro roundup and stockpile system is near its breaking point with over 66,000 animals currently languishing in federal holding facilities.

In fact, as we write this, two devastating federal helicopter roundups are underway in Nevada and California targeting nearly 3,000 wild horses. Chased by helicopters over rugged terrain, these horses will endure high-stress conditions, risking injury, exhaustion, and separation from their families. Ten horses have already died. 

Yet these disturbing realities do not change the BLM’s plans to round up thousands more horses and burros in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. 

Every day, our team continues to expose federal cruelties and hold the BLM accountable. Will you help power our fight to keep wild horses and burros wild?

GIVE NOW

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Public Comments Needed for Nevada Wild Horses!

, , , , 0

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Over 7,500 wild horses from Nevada’s Antelope and Triple B Complexes need your help! Right now, the Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments on a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) for these two complexes and the wild horses who call this area home.

As part of this, the BLM wants to reduce the number of horses to the unscientific Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 899-1,678 animals across the complexes. But at the same time, the BLM allows significant livestock grazing year-round on the public lands in these complexes.

TAKE ACTION

These horses are an important part of Nevada’s desert landscape, especially the Antelope wild horses who possess unique genetic traits. It’s essential to conserve these iconic animals on our public lands. Speak up now for Nevada’s wild horses!

When evaluating this HMAP the BLM Must:

  • Reevaluate the land conditions, including the impact of livestock on the range, before any removal decision is made.
  • Include new conservation methods that transparently address primary degradation factors, and promote balanced ecosystems and sustainable land use across public rangelands.
  • Prioritize fertility control over roundups, aligning with legal directives, science-based strategies, and fiscal responsibility for effective wild horse management.
  • Abandon the use of gelding as a population management strategy.
  • Prioritize bait trap removals over cruel, costly helicopter roundups if roundups are necessary.
  • Undergo updated genetic testing to ensure genetic viability for all herds who call these complexes home.
TAKE ACTION

Submitting public comments is one of our more influential ways to shape policy, ensure government transparency, prevent decisions that favor private industry interests, and show public support for humane conservation for our beloved wild horses and burros. Take action now to speak up for these beloved wild horse herds!

Thank you for your advocacy for our wild ones,

Team AWHC

Load More