BLM Confronts Challenges in its
Wild Horse and Burro Program
The Bureau of Land Management is facing a number of difficult challenges in its national wild horse and burro program. Our goal is to manage healthy, free-roaming herds on healthy Western rangelands, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so.
Wild horses and burros in the West, of which more than 36,000 roam freely on BLM-managed lands, have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the BLM must remove thousands of animals from Western public rangelands each year to ensure that herd sizes are consistent with the land’s capacity to support them. Off the range, there are more than 31,000 wild horses and burros that are fed and cared for at short-term (corral) and long-term (pasture) holding facilities.
It is essential to keep the BLM’s wild horse and burro program in balance. Right now, the cost of keeping horses and burros in holding facilities is spiraling out of control and preventing the agency from successfully managing other parts of the program, such as gathers and adoptions. In Fiscal Year 2008, holding costs exceeded $27 million, which is three-fourths of the FY 2008 enacted funding level of $36.2 million for the BLM's total wild horse and burro program. In addition, rising energy prices have increased costs. In one year alone (Fiscal Year 2007 to FY 2008), energy costs for transportation and feed increased by almost $4 million.
It is clear that the Bureau cannot continue its current removal, lifetime holding, and restrictive sales practices under existing and projected budgets. Neither can the BLM allow horses to multiply unchecked on the range without causing an environmental disaster. The BLM is looking at all options at this point to manage through the situation. We have not made any decisions about which option(s) to pursue, but we are in discussions with Congress and humane groups to find an appropriate legal solution.
The BLM welcomes your input as we work to improve the program and ensure the welfare of wild horses and burros while staying within our budget. To leave feedback on this program, please click here or call 1-800-710-7597.
