Legal Protections for Wild Horses & Burros

Safeguarding Wild Horses and Burros Through Law

Legal protections are crucial for ensuring the conservation and humane treatment of wild horses and burros. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 provides the foundation for their protection. Discover the laws that safeguard these iconic animals and how AWHC works to enforce and strengthen these legal protections.

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The Importance of Legal Protections

Learn about the laws and regulations that protect wild horses and burros and why they are essential for their survival.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 is a landmark law that protects wild horses and burros from capture, branding, harassment, or death. It recognizes these animals as living symbols of the pioneer spirit of the West and mandates their protection on designated public lands.

Challenges to Legal Protections

Despite existing legal protections, the landmark law was weakened over time by special interest lobbying. As a result, wild horses and burros face numerous challenges, including federal mismanagement, habitat loss, and unfair resource allocation. . Strengthening and enforcing the legal framework that enshrines their protection is essential.

Role of Litigation

Strategic litigation plays a critical role in enforcing legal protections and holding the government accountable. AWHC’s legal actions help ensure compliance with existing laws, challenge harmful policies, and secure justice for wild horses and burros.

Marlon Reis
Kaitlynn Carter
Suzanne Roy
Scott WIlson
American Wild Horse Conservation is a national leader in using fertility control to keep Wild Horse populations from increasing to the point where the BLM historically employs roundups and removals. I am beyond grateful for this amazing organization’s leadership and participation, without which the [Colorado] Wild Horse Project would not have come to fruition.
Marlon Reis
First Gentleman of Colorado
I wanted to get involved with AWHC when I saw videos of wild horses getting rounded up by helicopters. These animals are majestic in the wild; seeing them forced into captivity is heartbreaking and cruel. The government can do better, and I’m looking forward to educating the American public and working to keep wild horses in the wild.
Kaitlynn Carter
Ambassador
American Wild Horse Conservation is more than a campaign. We are reforming wild horse and burro protection across the American West, expanding protected natural habitats in places like Fish Springs, Nevada, and setting the conservation standard through the world’s leading wild horse fertility control initiative. We have a new model for wild horse protection through conservation.
Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
There are currently 62,000 wild horses and burros in long term holding. This year, the BLM intends to remove an additional 20,000 from public rangelands, with the North Lander animals to account for 14% of those.
Scott WIlson
Director of Strategy and Awareness

Take Action

Support Our Work

Your involvement is key to safeguarding wild horses and burros.

Donate to Support Our Work

Your contribution helps fund our advocacy, litigation, and protection initiatives.

Contact Your Legislators

Urge your representatives to support policies that help protect wild horses and burros.

Volunteer with AWHC

Join our team of dedicated volunteers and make a direct impact.

Our Commitment to Legal Protections

Discover how AWHC is leading efforts to enforce and strengthen legal protections for wild horses and burros.

Legal Advocacy and Enforcement

AWHC is dedicated to advocating for and enforcing legal protections for wild horses and burros. Our legal team works tirelessly to ensure that existing laws are upheld and that violators are held accountable.

  • Legal Advocacy: Promoting and defending legal protections
  • Enforcement Actions: Taking legal action against violations
  • Policy Influence: Working with lawmakers to strengthen laws
  • Public Awareness: Raising awareness about legal protections

Litigation and Legal Support

AWHC engages in strategic litigation to challenge harmful policies and practices that threaten wild horses and burros. Our legal efforts aim to secure justice and ensure compliance with the existing laws and regulations.

  • Strategic Litigation: Challenging harmful policies and practices
  • Court Victories: Achieving significant legal wins
  • Legal Partnerships: Collaborating with legal experts and organizations
  • Ongoing Cases: Pursuing justice for wild horses and burros

Education and Outreach

AWHC educates the public, policymakers, and stakeholders about the importance of legal protections for wild horses and burros. Through outreach and education, we build support for stronger laws and robust enforcement.

  • Public Education: Informing the public about legal protections
  • Policy Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to support legal reforms
  • Community Outreach: Building support for advancing legal protections
  • Training Programs: Providing education and resources for advocates

Stay Informed and Take Action

Learn how AWHC is actively implementing solutions to protect wild horses and burros, ensuring their well-being and preserving their natural habitats.