Understanding America’s Wild Horses
Wild horses and burros are living symbols of freedom, resilience, and the American West, shaped by generations of life on public lands.
They are more than icons — they are social, intelligent animals whose survival is deeply connected to how we choose to manage and protect our shared landscapes.
About Wild Horses & Burros
A Living Part of America’s Natural and Cultural Heritage
From their deep roots in our history to their role in today’s ecosystems, wild horses and burros deserve informed, humane, and science-based stewardship that keeps them wild and free.
Wild Horses
Who They Are
Wild horses and burros are free-roaming equines who live on public lands across the western United States in naturally formed family bands.
They are unbranded and unclaimed, living without ownership or confinement.
These animals organise themselves into social groups led by experienced adults.
Their lives are shaped by movement, memory, and the landscapes they know.
Wild Horses
A Living American Legacy
Wild horses and burros are part of America’s cultural and natural heritage, shaped by centuries of adaptation to life on the range.
Their ancestors arrived with explorers, settlers, and Indigenous peoples.
Over generations, they developed resilience, intelligence, and strong family bonds.
Today, they embody the freedom and wildness of the American West.
Wild Horses
Why They Need Protection
Despite federal protections, wild horses and burros face ongoing threats from outdated policies, habitat pressures, and mismanagement of public lands.
Federal protections exist, but enforcement and practice lag behind the law.
Many herds are subject to aggressive roundups and removals using helicopters.
Competition for forage and water with livestock and other uses puts additional pressure on fragile ecosystems.
