Shaping Humane Policies for Wild Horses

Shaping Laws to Protect America’s Wild Horses

Federal and state legislation plays a crucial role in safeguarding wild horses and burros. Despite existing protections, these majestic animals face numerous threats thanks to federal mismanagement and special interest lobbying. Understanding the legislative landscape is essential to driving change and ensuring their future.

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Legislative Challenges for Wild Horses

Explore the key legislative hurdles and gaps that jeopardize the well-being of wild horses and burros.

Outdated Policies

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 was a landmark law, but thanks to special interest lobbying, it has been weakened. Current policies fail to address modern conservation needs or recognize the ecological roles of wild horses, leaving them vulnerable to harmful management practices.

Inadequate Funding

Federal funding for humane wild horse management is insufficient. The majority of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) budget is allocated to costly roundups and holding systems rather than sustainable, long-term solutions like fertility control and habitat improvement.

Special Interest Influence

Livestock and other commercial interests heavily influence policy, often at the expense of wild horses. This imbalance leads to unfair resource allocation and overgrazing by livestock on public lands designated for wild horses.

Lack of Accountability

There is a significant lack of accountability and transparency in how wild horse management policies are implemented. This results taxpayer waste and ineffective management practices that do not align with scientific recommendations or public opinion.

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

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Support Our Work

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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

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Our Commitment to Legislative Advocacy

Discover how AWHC is leading the charge in advocating for effective and humane wild horse management policies.

Championing Legislative Reforms

AWHC is at the forefront of advocating for legislative reforms that prioritize humane treatment and sustainable management of wild horses and burros. We work tirelessly to influence policy changes that reflect the latest scientific research and public sentiment.

  • Key Focus Areas: Humane management, sustainable practices, and scientific research
  • Policy Influence: Engaging with lawmakers to draft and support new legislation
  • Public Support: Mobilizing public opinion to back legislative efforts

Building Strong Coalitions

AWHC collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders, including other advocacy groups, scientists, and policymakers, to build strong coalitions that amplify our legislative efforts. Together, we are stronger and more effective in driving change.

  • Collaborative Efforts: Partnering with key stakeholders for unified action
  • Amplified Voice: Strengthening our advocacy through coalition-building
  • Shared Goals: Aligning with partners to achieve common legislative objectives

Pioneering Legal Actions

AWHC is not just advocating for change; we are also taking legal actions to hold the government accountable. Our litigation efforts aim to enforce existing laws and challenge policies that harm wild horses and burros.

  • Legal Advocacy: Using the courts to protect wild horses and burros
  • Enforcing Laws: Ensuring compliance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act
  • Challenging Injustice: Fighting against harmful policies and practices

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.