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Return to Freedom: Wild horse population estimate shows futility of BLM practice of capture and removal
The Bureau of Land Management houses nearly 63,000 captured wild horses and burros in off-range facilities, costing taxpayers over $101 million annually, while population exceeds target by over 59,000.
- On March 19, 2026 the Bureau of Land Management released a March 1 estimate of 85,466 wild horses and burros, showing the population remains near 2021 levels.
- BLM has prioritized removals over fertility control and operates under a multiple-use mandate that includes privately owned livestock grazing, driving water and grazing conflicts.
- Nearly 63,000 animals are currently warehoused off-range without shelter, costing taxpayers more than $101 million annually, while the agency has treated about 5,500 wild mares since 2021 and the U.S. Forest Service oversees about 8,000 animals.
- The BLM remains far above its population target of 25,592, with the March 1 estimate within just 723 animals of 2021 despite decades of failed efforts.
- Advocates and modeling together call for an on-the-range shift to fertility control, as population modeling shows BLM and USFS must act now to stabilize herds and phase out removals.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
Montana Standard+17 Reposted by 17 other sources
Return to Freedom: Wild horse population estimate shows futility of BLM practice of capture and removal
LOMPOC, Calif., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new estimate of the number of wild horses and burros on public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) underscores the futility of the agency doing business as usual.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
89% Center
11%
C 89%
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