Many do not realize that wild horses still roam the western United States. In fact, according to the Bureau of Land Management's ("BLM") latest official estimate, approximately 58,150 wild horses and burros reside and roam on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 western states. Seeing the wild horses running free across the rangeland is one of my favorite aspects of my home state.
The BLM has announced a meeting for the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board in Redmond, Oregon on April 13-14, 2016 to discuss "issues relating to the management and protection of wild horses and burros on Western public rangelands."
Why is the wild horse program important?
Unbranded and unclaimed free-roaming wild horses on BLM-administered public lands in the western United States are protected and managed in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 (the "Act"). The full text of the Act can be found here.
Section 1331 of the Act provides that "wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people..."
Herd Management Areas ("HMAs") comprise 31.6 million acres of public land. That is roughly about half the size of Colorado – a pretty sizeable chunk.
Also, wild horses have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can reportedly double every four years if left uncontrolled.
To promote healthy conditions on the rangeland and control herd sizes as part of its obligations to manage the wild horse population, the BLM determines the Appropriate Management Level ("AML") – the number of wild horses that can thrive in balance with other public land resources and uses as part of the multiple-use mandate.
According to the BLM's wild horse and population estimates, the current estimated on-range wild horse and burro population (as of March 1, 2015 the population is estimated to be 58,150) represents an 18 percent increase over the 2014 estimate of 49,209.
Wild horses and burros that exceed AML (which is 26,715) are to be removed from the range, in accordance with the 1971 law, as amended. The current West-wide on-range population exceeds AML by 31,435, according to the BLM.
The wild horse program has lasting and significant impacts on the West. The BLM offers wild horses that were removed from the range for adoption or sale into private care. The 2016 adoption schedule can be found here. The cost to feed and care for off-range (unadopted or unsold) horses is reported to be more than $49 million per year. In addition, in an effort to place more animals into private care, the BLM reportedly partners with non-profits, volunteers and state and county prisons to train wild horses.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
