Balancing Livestock Grazing and Wild Horse Conservation

Balancing Livestock Grazing and Wild Horse Conservation

Research on public lands grazing is essential for understanding its impact on wild horse habitats and promoting sustainable land management practices. By studying the interactions between livestock and wild horses, we can develop strategies that ensure the health of our public lands. Discover how AWHC is advancing this critical research.

Photo: Steve Paige
About the issue
What you can do
Our commitment
Latest updates

The Impact of Public Lands Grazing

Learn about the effects of livestock grazing on wild horse habitats and the importance of sustainable management.

Resource Competition

Livestock grazing on public lands often leads to competition for essential resources such as water and forage. This competition can deplete the resources available to wild horses and result in habitat degradation. Research helps us understand the extent of this competition and develop strategies to manage it.

Habitat Degradation

Overgrazing by livestock can cause significant environmental degradation, including soil erosion, loss of native vegetation, and reduced water quality. These impacts not only harm wild horse habitats but also affect the broader ecosystem. Sustainable grazing practices are essential to mitigate these effects.

Policy and Management

Current policies often prioritize livestock grazing over the needs of wild horses and burros. This imbalance is driven by powerful livestock industry interests and results in inadequate protection for wild horse habitats. Research informs policy reform to ensure fair and sustainable management of public lands.

Financial Costs

Taxpayers subsidize livestock grazing on public lands, which often results in financial burdens without corresponding benefits for wild horses. Redirecting these funds towards habitat conservation and sustainable management practices can provide better outcomes for both livestock and wild horse populations.

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 Public Lands Grazing Research

Discover how AWHC is leading efforts to study and promote sustainable grazing practices on public lands.

Sustainable Grazing Practices

AWHC promotes and supports the implementation of sustainable grazing practices that minimize environmental impacts and support healthy ecosystems. These practices benefit both livestock and wild horse populations.

  • Best Practices: Encouraging sustainable grazing methods
  • Collaborative Efforts: Working with ranchers and land managers
  • Research and Education: Providing resources and training on sustainable practices
  • Monitoring and Assessment: Tracking the impacts of grazing on public lands

Policy Advocacy and Reform

AWHC advocates for policies that prioritize sustainable land use and fair resource allocation. We work with lawmakers and stakeholders to promote policies that support both livestock grazing and wild horse conservation.

  • Policy Influence: Engaging with policymakers to promote sustainable practices
  • Legislative Efforts: Advocating for fair resource allocation
  • Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the impacts of current policies
  • Coalition Building: Partnering with organizations to amplify our advocacy

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.