Wild Horse and Burro Program
The Bureau of Land Management manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across 10 Western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for a variety of uses. The Wild Horse and Burro Program's goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands.
About the Wild Horse and Burro Program
The Bureau of Land Management created the Wild Horse and Burro Program to implement the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act (.pdf), passed by Congress in 1971. Broadly, the law declares wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and stipulates that the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have the responsibility to manage and protect herds in their respective jurisdictions within areas where wild horses and burros were found roaming in 1971. Read more >>
Learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program:
Herd Management
The BLM manages free-roaming wild horses and burros on public lands as part of its multiple-use mission, with the goal of supporting healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands. The BLM is responsible for determining and maintaining appropriate management levels (AML) for each herd and works to achieve that population target through a variety of management processes, including limiting reproduction in some herds through the use of birth control and gathers that remove excess animals from the range. Read more >>
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Adoption and Sale Program
The BLM works to place excess animals into private care through its Adoption and Sales Programs as well as successful partnerships with organizations across the nation. Many have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro. It is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. Read more >>
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Get Involved - Advisory Board, Public Off-Range Pastures and more
There are many opportunities to get involved in the management and protection of America’s wild horses and burros. The BLM relies on the advice and guidance of its National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, as well as the hard work and determination of thousands of volunteers, partners, donors and contractors. Read more >>
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Partnerships
Managing, protecting, and finding homes for America’s wild horses and burro is challenging as it is rewarding. The BLM relies on the work of many partners to accomplish its mission of maintaining healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public lands.
The BLM works with its partners to accomplish range and herd management goals; training and adopting excess wild horses and burros; raising awareness of the unique qualities and sustained privilege of owning a wild horses or burro; and many other activities to improve the lives of the animals. Read more >>
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Contact Us
The BLM strives to provide valuable information to the public regarding the Wild Horse and Burro Program, including wild horse and burro adoption and purchase opportunities, information about upcoming gathers and more. We also encourage you to report any inhumane treatment of adopted wild horses and burros. We value your feedback.
Wild Horse and Burro Information Call Center
866-4MUSTANGS (866-468-7826)
wildhorse@blm.gov
Contact information for off-range corral facilities can be found on each facility webpage.
Contact your local BLM state, district or field office for specific questions regarding submitting an adoption application, obtaining title and more.
Photo credit: John Wheland
The Bureau of Land Management posts significant accomplishments for wild horse and burro management in Fiscal Year 2020
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced several important accomplishments that support the agency’s mission of preserving wild horses and burros on public range lands in an ecologically sustainable way. During Fiscal Year 2020 – which ended Sept. 30, 2020 – the BLM humanely removed 10,139 wild horses and burros from overpopulated Herd Management Areas throughout the West. At the same time, the agency placed 6,162 animals into private care through adoptions and sales. The agency also secured contracts for seven new off-range pastures to provide humane long-term care for up to 5,000 unadopted and unsold wild horses in a cost-efficient free-roaming environment. Read more>>
Recent BLM Announcements:
- The Bureau of Land Management seeks nominations to fill vacancies on National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
- The Bureau of Land Management to award contracts for seven new wild horse off-range pastures
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BLM to conduct a “virtual” tour of a wild horse off-range pasture September 21
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National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board to meet virtually
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Cash incentives help agency adopt more wild horses and burros
Educational Resources
A video-based educational discussion guide about wild horse and burro management is available for use with younger and older learners alike. Visit BLM's Division of Education, Interpretation and Partnerships to download a discussion guide based on the short film "Horse Rich, Dirt Poor."
INHUMANE TREATMENT AND ILLEGAL SALE
The BLM provides information to equine sale and auction facilities regarding the illegal sale of untitled wild horses and burros. If you observe or have factual information that a federally protected (untitled) wild horse or wild burro has been treated inhumanely or illegally sold to slaughter, please contact the BLM at wildhorse@blm.gov or at 866-468-7826 with your name, contact information, and specific information about what you saw or know. If possible, please include the freeze mark and/or photos.
Popular Links
Other links
- 2020 Report to Congress
- 2020 Report to Congress Fact Sheet
- Common Questions from the Public
- BLM Library
- Read a Freeze Mark
Featured Video
The Bureau of Land Management oversees 26.9 million acres of land used by wild horses, wild burros and other species. Unchecked herds double in size every four years, due to a lack of natural predators and a rapid growth rate. To prevent overpopulation and overgrazing, the BLM gathers excess animals and offers them for adoption or sale to a good home.