BLM Announces Management Actions to Protect Wild Horse, Burro Herds Amid Severe Overpopulation, Widespread Drought

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BLM Announces Management Actions to Protect Wild Horse, Burro Herds Amid Severe Overpopulation, Widespread Drought

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Sep 23, 2026

Wild horses in poor body condition were removed from the Confusion Herd Management Area in August 2026, where limited forage and water have strained herd health. All gathered animals are evaluated by a veterinarian and given the care they need to stabilize and regain strength before entering the BLM's Adoption and Sale Programs. (BLM photo).

WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Land Management is taking urgent action to protect wild horses and burros from increasingly harsh on-range conditions caused by extreme overpopulation and severe, widespread drought. Today, more than 85,000 wild horses and burros live on public lands in the West, even though the landscape can sustainably support only about 25,500. This level of overpopulation is more than three times what the available resources can support, which means herds in every state are experiencing reduced forage availability, limited water, and escalating risks as they head into fall and winter.

To prevent suffering and stabilize herd health, the BLM will conduct wild horse and burro gathers across the West throughout fiscal year 2027. These operations are designed to rescue animals from deteriorating range conditions, protect remaining horses and burros from resource shortages, and restore balance on drought stricken landscapes.

Wildfires and severe drought have depleted available forage and many water sources in the Riddle Mountain Herd Management Area in Oregon as of September 2026. (BLM photo).

"Many herds are now far beyond what these drought strained rangelands can support," said BLM Director Steve Pearce. "Without intervention, wild horses and burros face increasing risks of starvation, dehydration, and injury. Gathers help us manage these living legends when conditions on the range are out of balance."

Drought continues to impact wild horses across the West. Today, every herd management area with horses is experiencing some level of drought, and nearly half of all these acres are in severe to exceptional conditions. These harsh conditions mean forage and water are rapidly disappearing, creating serious risks for horses that stay on the range. For current drought maps visit drought.gov.

Wild horses and burros have few natural predators, allowing herds to double in size every four to five years. When herd numbers climb this quickly, animals consume forage faster than it can grow back, forcing animals to travel long distances in search of food and water. These movements may increase risks of vehicle collisions, property damage, and injuries. Gathers are a critical tool to prevent these outcomes and ensure the animals have access to the resources they need to stay healthy.

All fiscal year 2027 gather operations will follow the BLM's Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which outlines strict humane care standards. Veterinarians are present or on call, gather crews monitor animal condition closely, and special precautions are taken for foals and older horses. Drive trap operations are conducted at a controlled pace to keep horses safe.

Management Actions to Protect Wild Horse and Burro Health Through March 2027:

Herd Management Area or Herd Area	State	Dates
Sulphur	Utah	Oct. 1-14, 2026
Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range	Montana	Oct. 1-Nov. 15, 2026
Red Desert Complex	Wyoming	Oct. 15-Nov. 20, 2026
Flanigan, Dogskin Mountains and Granite Peak	Nevada	Oct. 16-31, 2026
Cedar Mountain	Utah	Nov. 1-25, 2026
Antelope and Antelope Valley Complex	Nevada	Nov. 16-Dec. 12, 2026
Muddy Creek	Utah	Dec. 1-10, 2026
Clan Alpine	Nevada	Dec. 1-20, 2026
Seaman and White River	Nevada	Jan. 4-14, 2027
East Pershing Complex	Nevada	Jan. 5-Feb. 15, 2026
Slate Range	California	Jan. 12-19, 2027
Lake Pleasant	Arizona	Jan. 15-Feb. 28, 2027
Eagle Complex	Nevada	Jan. 15-Feb. 28, 2027
Caliente Complex	Nevada	Mar. 1-Jun. 30, 2027

The BLM continues to expand private care placements, adoption events, and partnerships with organizations nationwide, each of which reduces long term holding costs and improves animal outcomes. Every successful placement saves taxpayers an average of $15,000 per horse or burro. For more information about how you can adopt a wild horse or burro, visit the BLM's Adoptions and Sales Program page.

The BLM recently updated its Bill of Sale to better protect wild horses and burros placed into private care via sale. While most adopters and buyers act responsibly, any case of mistreatment puts animals at risk and erodes public trust. Federal law prohibits the sale or transfer of wild horses or burros for slaughter. The updated bill of sale now clearly requires buyers to certify they will not knowingly, carelessly, or negligently sell or transfer a BLM animal to anyone who may turn the animal or its remains into commercial products. This stronger, clearer language gives the BLM and law enforcement improved ability to act when violations occur. Anyone who sees a wild horse or burro being mistreated or in an unsafe or unauthorized location should contact local law enforcement immediately.

Under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM is required to protect wild horses and burros and manage herd sizes to ensure the animals remain healthy on the range. For more information, visit the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Gather and Fertility Control Operations website.

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.