AWHC Political Updates: Legislative Efforts for Wild Horse Conservation

American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) is actively engaged in legislative efforts to protect wild horses both at the state and federal levels. This article highlights recent initiatives and budgetary reforms aimed at ensuring humane management practices for these iconic animals.

State-Level Initiatives

Recently, AWHC’s government relations teams have been hard at work both at the state level and at the federal level!

AWHC supports local initiatives in states where wild horses reside. Last year, we helped support the Colorado Wild Horse Project, which allocated $1.5 million in state funds to support the ongoing wild horse management, including fertility control programs, for Colorado’s wild horses. It also established a working group that brings together a diverse coalition of groups and organizations to discuss and make recommendations for wild horse management in the state.

Colorado is a unique state because not only is this Project the first of its kind and is setting a standard for state and federal collaboration, but also because of Governor Jared Polis’ support of the state’s incredible wild horse herds. In fact, recently Gov. Polis called on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to delay the upcoming Little Book Cliffs wild horse helicopter roundup, stating:

“If BLM removes more than 100 horses to reach the low AML, this will be the largest roundup ever in Little Book Cliffs. This is an escalation of roundups for this area rather than my strongly preferred approach of more measured population management, which prioritizes the well-being of these animals. I am therefore writing you and asking you to delay this roundup pending further analysis and discussion.”

He added, “My administration, through the Colorado Department of Agriculture, is poised to immediately deploy state funds to contract USDA Wildlife Services for fertility control in the Little Book Cliffs and other areas as needed.”

The support of governors, like Gov. Polis, for wild horse conservation, is crucial and underscores the importance of state leadership in wild horse management. In calling on the BLM to delay this roundup, Gov. Polis highlighted a solutions-oriented approach to protecting and preserving Colorado’s incredible wild herds. His leadership not only protects these iconic animals but also promotes sustainable and humane management practices. We are grateful for his influential support.

Federal Advocacy and Budget Reforms

Not only are we working on the state level, but we are also advocating for reforms throughout the halls of Congress!

Right now, it is federal appropriations season! What does this mean? Well, it’s a critical time when the House of Representatives and the Senate are deciding how to allocate our tax dollars to various government agencies and programs, including the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program, for the next fiscal year.

This year, the BLM requested $175 million in federal tax dollars to continue its unsustainable management of our wild horses and burros. This request includes an ask for $15 million for a permanent sterilization program and 20 new full-time employees to implement it.

However, just because the BLM makes a request doesn't mean Congress will grant the full amount. This is where the appropriations process comes into play! Like the BLM, members of Congress can influence how federal funds are spent.

On the House side, AWHC worked with wild horse champions to introduce language for the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations legislation. The letter in support of this critical language was signed by 77 representatives and submitted back in May to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

The requested language required:

• The BLM spent no less than 10% of the $140+-million-dollar Wild Horse and Burro Program budget to implement the humane fertility control in at least five additional Herd Management Areas (HMAs) within 120 days of the bill’s passage.
• A $100,000 reduction in program funding for each day beyond the 120-day deadline that the BLM fails to implement these critical programs.

On the Senate side, we secured the support of 15 senators who requested similar language.

This was the strongest reform language ever requested by Members of Congress and signaled Congress’ frustration with the agency’s failure to comply with past directives that urged the BLM to spend up to $11 million on humane fertility control.

This budget process is long and can be complicated. The final step before the whole House of Representatives votes on the finalized budget is the full committee markup. This markup just happened a few weeks ago. We faced a tough committee and came out with some wins and some losses.

The House Committee on Appropriations allocated $143 million to the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. While still a significant budget, it's 16% less than the BLM requested and represents a 4% overall cut from FY24's budget.

The language also continues to ban wild horse slaughter, emphasizes public-private partnerships, allocates up to $11 million in funding for the implementation of fertility control, and calls for the prioritization of fertility control vaccines when appropriate.

Now for the downside: the language would allow the BLM to use the “up to $11 million” on permanent sterilization, but only if it ignores the directive to prioritize humane fertility control. The House did not grant BLM’s request for a $15 million dedicated sterilization program.

This is a step in the right direction and the fight is not over.

Now AWHC’s team is gearing up for not only the full House floor vote, and the same process on the Senate side. We remain steadfast in our dedication to advocating for wild horse-friendly legislation and reforms to this mismanaged and cruel wild horse and burro program.

There is so much more to come this year. Stay ready and stay wild!