BLM completes wild horse gather in Adobe Town herd management area

Aug 13, 2025

herd of wild horses in Baggs, Wy for the adobe down gather — The BLM Rawlins Field Office conducted a wild horse gather July 15–Aug. 2, 2025, removing about 1,675 excess wild horses from the Adobe Town Herd Management Area. (Photo by BLM Staff, Jacqueline Alderman)

RAWLINS, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Rawlins Field Office completed the removal of excess wild horses from the Adobe Town herd management area in southwestern Wyoming on August 2, 2025. The gather began on July 15, resulting in a total of 1,677 animals gathered.

The total includes two studs that BLM released back into the herd management area on July 31, one mule gathered and later adopted following brand inspection, and one mare and one foal reunited with owner after brand inspection.

A foal roped by contractors and walks side by side with contractor's horse. — Observers and BLM staff spotted a foal following pronghorn during the Adobe Town gather on July 27, 2025. Contractors roped and trailered the foal, reuniting him with his mother. (Photo by BLM Staff, Allegra Keenoo)

This operation is part of BLM’s ongoing effort to maintain healthy wild horse populations on healthy public rangelands, consistent with the agency’s multiple-use mission and obligations under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.

The Adobe Town herd management area spans approximately 348,000 acres of mostly BLM-managed public land, intermingled with some private land. Removing excess wild horses from this fragile ecosystem helps protect rangeland resources, wildlife habitat, and the overall land health.

“This gather was a necessary step in maintaining a thriving ecological balance on our public lands,” said Tim Novotny, field manager for the BLM Rawlins Field Office. “By managing wild horse populations in accordance with the land’s capacity, we’re helping to ensure healthier rangelands for both wildlife and the land itself, presently and for the future.”

Wild horses run through southwestern Wyoming in July 2025 with a helicopter overhead during the Adobe Town Gather — The BLM Rawlins Field Office conducted a wild horse gather July 15–Aug. 2, 2025, removing about 1,675 excess wild horses from the Adobe Town Herd Management Area. (Photo by BLM Staff, Allegra Keenoo)

All gathered horses were transported to BLM off-range holding facilities in Canon City, Colorado; Rock Springs, Wyoming; and Wheatland, Wyoming where they received veterinary care and will be prepared for adoption or placement through the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program.

The BLM also provided public observation opportunities throughout the gather. Trained gather personnel conducted operations in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which ensures humane treatment of all animals.