As Wild Horses Overrun the West, Ranchers Fear Land Will Be Gobbled Up
Wild horses, once a symbol of America's unbound freedom, are now at the center of a growing crisis in the West. With populations doubling, these majestic creatures are threatening the delicate balance of public lands and the livelihoods of ranchers who depend on them. Federal management strategies have faltered, leading to legal battles and ecological concerns.
BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — When Mark Wintch was a boy on a 150,000-acre ranch, he would thrill at the sight of a rare band of wild horses. Now, at 38, he sees too many. "Look out there. You barely see a blade of grass," he says, worried about the impact on his family's ranch.
Federal management plans call for no horses in this area, yet they are present in alarming numbers. "If I put my cows out here, they'd starve," Wintch laments.
Wild horses are protected by federal law, but their numbers have doubled, posing a threat to public lands and ranches. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has relied on rounding up excess horses, but with nearly 50,000 in storage, the system is overwhelmed.
The BLM estimates that Western rangelands can sustain about 26,000 wild horses, but there are now 48,000. Projections suggest this could exceed 100,000 in five years. "It's a train wreck," says Robert Garrott, a wildlife management professor, warning of long-term damage.
Unchecked populations could decimate resources, leading to starvation among horses and other species, and prompting lawsuits from ranchers and wildlife groups. Ranchers like Wintch have sued the federal government, demanding action.
Some propose slaughtering stored horses to free up resources, but this controversial idea has been repeatedly rejected. "Horses are so beloved that no one wants to make a hard decision," Garrott notes.
Wild horses, descendants of stray American Indian ponies and cavalry mounts, have been protected since 1971. The BLM aims to keep populations around 26,000 for ecological balance, but adoption programs have not kept pace with removals.
For 25 years, the BLM has paid contractors to house mustangs, costing nearly $50 million annually. This financial burden has led to drastic cuts in roundups.
Recent contract terminations forced the BLM to find new accommodations for thousands of horses. "It's a triage situation," says Steve Ellis, the agency's deputy director.
Ranchers in Wyoming recently won a lawsuit forcing the BLM to remove horses, despite limited storage space. More lawsuits are expected as populations grow.
Horse advocacy groups argue the population issue is overstated, blaming cattle for much of the land damage. They call for expanded territories and better management.
The BLM cites legal and policy constraints as reasons for the current storage system, which prohibits euthanasia or slaughter. Fertility-control drugs have been suggested but are challenging to administer.
On his ranch, Wintch shows the impact of grazing with fenced study areas. "This is all horses," he says, noting he hasn't grazed cattle there this year.
Facing financial strain, Wintch and others have reduced their herds. "We can't last out here if this continues," he warns.
The BLM denies violating federal law in response to lawsuits, but ranchers like Tammy Pearson feel the financial pinch. "It's not a horse issue," she says. "It's a range health issue."
As the debate continues, the future of wild horses and the lands they roam remains uncertain.