Wild horse herds are protected on 199 management areas in 10 western states. There are over 29,000 animals managed in the Wild Horse and Burro Program. One goal of the program is to preserve genetically viable herds. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 is the umbrella law which covers the herd management and research and places the responsibility on the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service.

Wild horse populations were originally cataloged in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Blood type indicates that these herds are genetically close to the Spanish horses brought to the New World by the conquistadors. Over the years, the data system has been able to track reproduction issues and general health of individual horses. Lineage data is also recorded. Information in the system is used not only by government land managers, but by horse adoption agencies and conservation groups.

Unfortunately, there are many wild horses that need special care to survive. There are wild horse sanctuaries that take in these animals and provide medical care and a healthy environment so they can someday become adoptable. These sanctuaries are non-profit ranches with goals of preserving wild horses as a “living national treasure,” as stated in the 1971 act. There are pack trips through the horse sanctuaries to raise awareness, and volunteers are enlisted to help with work.  Anyone can sponsor a horse by donating money to help provide feed and medical care. You don’t need to have a backyard pasture to make a difference in the life of one of these magnificent creatures.