How are Wild Horses and Burros Managed?
In 1971, Congress passed legislation to protect, manage, and control wild horses and burros on public lands. The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act declared these animals to be "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West."
Congress further declared that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death..." and that they are "...an integral part of the natural system of the public lands." Furthermore, Bureau regulations require that wild horses and burros be considered comparably with other resource values within the area.
The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages wild horses or burros in "herd management areas," (HMAs). In the ten states where BLM manages horses, there are 270 herd areas.
A management objective for the herd area is to ensure proper utilization of the area by wild horses at a level sufficient to guarantee their continued existence without exceeding the overall carrying capacity for all animals - livestock, wildlife and horses.
Another objective is to develop a recreation and viewing area for the public to observe wild horses in a natural setting.
Why do Wild Horses Have to be Managed?
Note: If you've followed the link over from Horseweb, the link you want is the
Mustang Gallery, Page 5.
(Once there, click on the photos of Celis and Austin for their "Close-up" pages and more pictures.)
Considering Adopting a Wild
Horse?
"So You'd Like to Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro"
Colorado's Inmate Training Program
Getting Acquainted with a Wild Horse or Burro
Feeding your Wild Horse or Burro
Making Friends with your Wild Horse or Burro
Keeping your Wild Horse or Burro Healthy
Gentling Wild Horses; Approaches Which Work
Wildhorses list server news group
This is not a BLM operated or BLM sponsored site. It is run by private wild horse and burro enthusiasts. We are thankful to the various BLM District Offices for responding to our requests for information and thus providing much of the information and many of the graphics which are presented here. We will be continuously explanding this site as we receive new information.