Program Data
The Bureau of Land Management manages, protects, and controls wild horses and burros under the authority of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (as amended by Congress in 1976, 1978, 1996, and 2004). This law authorizes the BLM to remove excess wild horses and burros from the range to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands. The BLM also manages the nation’s public lands for multiple uses, in accordance with the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The Bureau manages wild horses and burros as part of this multiple-use mandate.
Below are key statistics related to the Wild Horse and Burro Program. More complete information, including historical figures, can be found as part of annual Public Lands Statistics reported by the BLM. In addition, information on how the Bureau estimates the on-range wild horse and burro population on BLM-managed lands can be found on our Science and Research page.
Most recent nationwide wild horse and burro population estimate, as of March 1, 2022: 82,384 animals
At a glance
Download the Wild Horse and Burro Program Infographic
Fiscal Year 2022
Nationwide population estimates: 82,384*
Download the full 2022 population estimate data set
*As of March 1, 2022
Fiscal Year 2021
Download the FY2021 Wild Horse and Burro Program Highlights Fact Sheet
Nationwide population estimates: 86,189*
Download the full 2021 population estimate data set
Total removed: 13,666
Total placed into private care: 8,637
Total fertility control treatments: 1,160
Total expenditures: $112.273 million
*As of March 1, 2021
Latest On-Range Population Estimates
Wild Horse and Burro On-Range Population Estimates
As required under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM conducts an annual population inventory to estimate the number of wild horses and burros roaming BLM-managed lands in the West. To promote healthy conditions on the range, the BLM determines what it calls the Appropriate Management Level (AML), which is the number of wild horses and burros that can thrive in balance with other public land resources and uses. Wild horses and burros that exceed AML (which is 26,785) are to be removed from the range, in accordance with the 1971 law, as amended. The current estimated on-range wild horse and burro population (as of March 1, 2022) is 82,384 animals.
State | Horses | Burros | Total | Max. AML |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona | 404 | 9,092 | 9,496 | 1,676 |
California | 6,724 | 3,416 | 10,140 | 2,200 |
Colorado | 1,873 | 0 | 1,873 | 827 |
Idaho | 555 | 0 | 555 | 617 |
Montana | 195 | 0 | 195 | 120 |
Nevada | 41,853 | 4,717 | 46,570 | 12,811 |
New Mexico | 272 | 0 | 272 | 83 |
Oregon | 4,485 | 47 | 4,532 | 2,700 |
Utah | 3,509 | 508 | 4,017 | 1,956 |
Wyoming | 4,734 | 0 | 4,734 | 3,795 |
Total | 64,604 | 17,780 | 82,384 | 26,785 |
For further details on BLM population estimates, download the complete 2022 HA and HMA Dataset (pdf).
Wild Horse and Burro Acreage
Land Managed for Wild Horses and Burros
In 1971, when Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, these animals were found roaming across 53.8 million acres of public land, known as Herd Areas, of which 42.4 million acres were under the BLM’s jurisdiction. Today, the BLM manages wild horses in subsets of these Herd Areas, known as Herd Management Areas (HMAs), that comprise 31.6 million acres. (For an explanation of "What happened to the 22.2 million acres?" see the response to Myth #4 on the Myths and Facts page.) Under the 1971 Act, horses and burros may not be re-located to other public lands where they were not found roaming when the law was passed.
Total Number of Herd Management Areas (HMAs) | 177 |
---|---|
Total Acreage of HMAs | 31.6 million acres |
HMA Acreage Managed by BLM | 26.9 million acres |
Population Growth-Suppression Treatments
Population Growth Suppression Treatments
In 2013, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reported that no highly effective, easily delivered and affordable fertility-control methods were then available to manage wild horse and burro population growth on the range. The NAS also urged the BLM to research new, longer lasting methods. Three fertility control vaccines that BLM uses today in wild horse management were among the methods that the NAS report identified as most promising in 2013. “ZonaStat-H” is the most widely used form of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine. It can be injected by hand or deployed via ground-darting, however, is generally effective for only one year. “PZP-22” is a second form of PZP vaccine; one dose can lead to moderate effects that may last two years. A follow-up dose of PZP vaccine in a mare that already received PZP-22 can cause somewhat stronger effects for up to three years. “GonaCon-Equine” is the third contraception vaccine BLM uses for management, and it can be delivered by hand or by dart. One dose of GonaCon can cause moderate effects that may last two years, but a second dose can cause high rates of contraception that may last 4-5 years. In many herds where wild horses are approachable, BLM gets valuable help from volunteers who devote many hours to identifying animals and delivering vaccines by dart. Unfortunately, delivering any vaccine via dart is not a viable option for most wild horse herds because the animals tend to avoid human contact and the vast sizes of most herd management areas make it difficult to locate and approach individual horses.
Fiscal Year | PZP | PZP-22 | GonaCon | IUD | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 673 | 155 | 324 | 8 | 1,160 |
2020 | 563 | 31 | 141 | 735 | |
2019 | 549 | 59 | 52 | 660 | |
2018 | 580 | 110 | 12 | 702 | |
2017 | 422 | 355 | 777 | ||
2016 | 334 | 118 | 15 | 467 | |
2015 | 286 | 183 | 469 | ||
2014 | 319 | 65 | 384 | ||
2013 | 199 | 310 | 509 | ||
2012 | 162 | 883 | 1,045 |
Wild Horse and Burro Removals
Wild Horse and Burro Removals
Wild horses and burros have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the BLM removes thousands of animals from the range each year as part of its efforts to control herd sizes.
Fiscal Year | Horses | Burros | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 11,748 | 1,918 | 13,666 |
2020 | 9,181 | 1,643 | 10,824 |
2019 | 6,126 | 1,853* | 7,979 |
2018 | 9,749 | 1,723 | 11,472 |
2017 | 3,735 | 474 | 4,209 |
2016 | 2,899 | 421 | 3,320 |
2015 | 3,093 | 726 | 3,819 |
2014 | 1,689 | 168 | 1,857 |
2013 | 4,064 | 112 | 4,176 |
2012 | 7,242 | 1,013 | 8,255 |
*Includes 2 mules
Wild Horse and Burro Adoptions into Private Care
Wild Horses and Burros Adopted into Good Homes
The BLM offers wild horses and burros that were removed from the range for adoption into private care. Since 1971, the BLM has adopted out more than 270,000 wild horses and burros nationwide. Potential adopters can attend an off-site adoption event, visit a BLM adoption center, or participate in an Internet Adoption event. For general questions on adopting a wild horse or burro, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Fiscal Year | Horses | Burros | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 5,698 | 1,671 | 7,369 |
2020 | 3,311 | 1,430 | 4,741 |
2019 | 3,774 | 1,356 | 5,130 |
2018 | 2,459 | 699 | 3,158 |
2017 | 2,905 | 612 | 3,517 |
2016 | 2,440 | 472 | 2,912 |
2015 | 2,331 | 300 | 2,631 |
2014 | 1,789 | 346 | 2,135 |
2013 | 2,033 | 278 | 2,311 |
2012 | 2,232 | 351 | 2,583 |
Wild Horse and Burro Sales into Private Care
Wild Horses and Burros Sold to Good Homes
About 8,400 wild horses and burros immediately became eligible for sale under the December 2004 sale-authority law (the so-called "Burns Amendment"), which directs the BLM to sell "without limitation" to any willing buyers animals that are either more than 10 years old or have been passed over for adoption at least three times. Since 2005, the BLM has sold more than 5,900 horses and burros. It has been and remains the policy of the BLM, despite the unrestricted sales authority of the Burns Amendment, NOT to sell or send any wild horses or burros to slaughterhouses or to "kill buyers." Learn more about the Sales Program.
Fiscal Year | Horses | Burros | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 726 | 542 | 1,268** |
2020 | 1,096 | 326 | 1,422** |
2019 | 1,538 | 429 | 1,967* |
2018 | 1,201 | 250 | 1,451 |
2017 | 518 | 64 | 582 |
2016 | 179 | 32 | 211 |
2015 | 88 | 180 | 268 |
2014 | 23 | 64 | 87 |
2013 | 22 | 43 | 65 |
2012 | 320 | 82 | 402 |
* In addition to sales totals, 7 animals were transferred to other government agencies.
** Includes 3 wild horses transferred to other government agencies
***Includes 9 wild horses transferred to other government agencies
Trained Wild Horses and Burros
Number of Wild Horses and Burros Trained
In an effort to place more animals into private care, the BLM partners with non-profit organizations, volunteers, and state and county prisons to train wild horses and burros prior to being placed into a good home. Trained animals tend to have a higher rate of adoption by the public than untrained.
Fiscal Year | Horses | Burros | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | 936 | 515 | 1,451 |
2018 | 1,096 | 383 | 1,479 |
2017 | 1,430* | 324 | 1,754 |
2016 | 1,001 | 224 | 1,225 |
2015 | 1,020 | 79 | 1,099 |
2014 | 652 | 108 | 760 |
2013 | 481 | 16 | 497 |
2012 | 656 | 11 | 667 |
*Includes one mule
Off-Range Holding
Populations of Wild Horses and Burros in BLM's Off-Range Facilities
(as of April 2022)
All off-range (unadopted or unsold) wild horses and burros, like those roaming Western public rangelands, are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, as amended. These off-range horses and burros are fed and cared for in either off-range corrals or pastures at a cost of nearly $50 million a year. The BLM maintains a monthly holding facilities report, which can be found by clicking on the Public Lands Stats tab below. Access the most recent FY2022 monthly facility report. The total capacity of all BLM off-range holding facilities is 73,391 animals.
Facility Type | Horses | Burros | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Off-Range Corrals | 18,394 | 812 | 19,206 |
Off-Range Pastures | 38,603 | 0 | 38,603 |
Public Off-Range Pastures | 1,133 | 0 | 1,133 |
Total Off-Range Population | 58,130 | 812 | 58,942 |
Wild Horse and Burro Program Budget
Wild Horse and Burro Program Budget
FY2021
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $115.745 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $112.273 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $72.359 | 64% |
Gathers and Removals | $4.587 | 4% |
Adoptions | $14.231 | 13% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $21.096 | 19% |
FY2020
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $101.555 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $91.191 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $56.978 | 62% |
Gathers and Removals | $7.043 | 8% |
Adoptions | $9.807 | 11% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $17.364 | 19% |
FY2019
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $80.555 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $85.549 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $57.648 | 67% |
Gathers and Removals | $3.695 | 4% |
Adoptions | $8.163 | 10% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $16.043 | 19% |
FY2018
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $75 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $81.226 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $49.812 | 61% |
Gathers and Removals | $6.195 | 8% |
Adoptions | $8.255 | 10% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $16.922 | 21% |
FY2017
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $80.555 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $82.567 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $48.627 | 59% |
Gathers and Removals | $4.216 | 5% |
Adoptions | $7.913 | 10% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $21.329 | 26% |
FY2016
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $80.555 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $78.298 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $49.428 | 63.1% |
Gathers and Removals | $3.061 | 3.9% |
Adoptions | $7.375 | 9.4% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $18.434 | 23.5% |
FY2015
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $77.245 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $75.174 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $49.382 | 65.7% |
Gathers and Removals | $1.834 | 2.4% |
Adoptions | $6.314 | 8.4% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $17.645 | 23.5% |
FY2014
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $77.245 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $67.9 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $43.235 | 63% |
Gathers and Removals | $1.2 | 2% |
Adoptions | $4.6 | 7% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $18.865 | 27% |
FY2013
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $71.836 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $76.1 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $46.165 | 61% |
Gathers and Removals | $4.8 | 6% |
Adoptions | $7.5 | 10% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $17.035 | 22% |
FY2012
Budget Category | Dollars (in millions) | % of Expenditures |
---|---|---|
Appropriations | $74.888 | n/a |
Total Expenditures* | $72.4 | n/a |
Off-Range Holding Costs | $42.955 | 59% |
Gathers and Removals | $7.8 | 11% |
Adoptions | $7.1 | 10% |
Other Activities (monitoring, etc.) | $14.545 | 20% |
* Expenditures include funding sources from multiple program areas related to wild horse and burro management.
Public Lands Statistics and Historical Data
Historical Program Data and Public Lands Statistics
This table contains links to data related to on-range population of wild horses and burros, adoptions and removals by fiscal year. Some data are preliminary and subject to revision before the end of the fiscal year. Download prior year wild horse and burro accomplishments fact sheets: FY2018, FY2019 and FY2021.
Population | Completed Gathers | Adoptions, Sales and Removals by State Office | HAs and HMAs Data | Off-Range Monthly Facility Reports |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 - not available | 2021 | 2021 - not available | 2021 - not available | 2021 |
2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 | 2019 |
2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 | 2017 |
2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 | 2016 |
2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 | 2013 |
1996-2012 | 2009-2012 | 1996-2012 | 2005-2012 | 2011-2012 |