2026 Piceance-East Douglas/West Douglas Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The gather is necessary to restore and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
The Piceance-East Douglas HMA currently supports an estimated 1,145 wild horses, approximately 345 percent above the established Appropriate Management Level of 135 to 235 horses. The West Douglas Herd Area is not suitable for wild horse management due to a lack of forage and water. Horses occupying the West Douglas Herd Area will be removed in accordance with the BLM's land use decisions and applicable laws.
Removing excess horses will help protect forage, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the long-term health of the remaining herd.
Details of Gather:
Helicopter-assisted gather operations are expected to begin around Aug. 1, 2026, and continue for approximately 30 days. Exact start and completion dates will depend on weather, contractor availability, terrain, and the safety of the horses, gather crews, and the public.
The BLM plans to gather approximately 1,025 wild horses from the Piceance-East Douglas HMA and the West Douglas Herd Area.
Approximately 1,011 horses will be removed from the range. Fourteen horses will be returned to the Piceance-East Douglas HMA, and 10 of those horses will receive fertility control treatment to help slow future population growth.
All gather operations will be conducted in accordance with the BLM's Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which establishes standards for the humane care and handling of wild horses throughout gather operations.
Public Observation:
The public is welcome to observe gather operations when conditions allow.
The public is welcome to observe the Piceance-East Douglas Wild Horse Gather. Public viewing will be offered during the first three days of the gather (around August 2-4) and then Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays thereafter, at locations that provide a safe environment for the horses, the public, BLM employees, contractors, and gather crews. Federal Aviation Administration requirements, weather, and gather operations will determine the location and availability of observation sites.
Observation is available by reservation only and is limited to 10-15 people per viewing day. Reservations will be accepted by email only at [email protected]. Requests must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. the day prior to the public viewing day you wish to attend. In your reservation request, please state which calendar day(s) you prefer to attend so we can accommodate as many people as possible. After the first 3 days of the gather, viewing opportunities are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Phone and voicemail reservations will not be accepted.
Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date and time the email is received. Individuals may request more than one viewing day; however, priority will be given to those who have not yet attended. Once everyone interested has had an opportunity to observe the gather, additional reservations may be accommodated as space allows.
Participants must receive confirmation before attending. A BLM representative will contact confirmed participants the day before their scheduled visit with meeting times, locations, and additional instructions.
Viewing opportunities may change or be canceled on short notice because of weather, changing gather locations, safety concerns, or operational needs.
Please do not bring any pets to the site. If you bring a pet, you will not be able to participate in the public viewing.
BLM's top priority is the safety of the public, the horses, BLM employees, contractors, and gather crews throughout gather operations.
Related Information and Supporting Documents
- In effect: Aug. 14 Piceance-East Douglas/West Douglas Temporary Public Lands Closure Order
- In effect: Aug. 9 Piceance-East Douglas/West Douglas Temporary Public Lands Closure Order
- Gather Observation Protocol
- Know Before You Go
- Wild Horse & Burro Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program
- Wild Horse & Burro Adoption Program
Adoption Information:
Following the gather, removed horses will be transported to the Wheatland Off-Range Corral in Wheatland, Wyoming, where they will receive veterinary evaluations, vaccinations, identification and routine care. Horses selected for adoption will later be made available through the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sales Program. Information about future adoption opportunities will be announced as horses become available.
Background:
The Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area is located southwest of Meeker, Colorado, east of State Highway 139, and encompasses approximately 190,130 acres of public, state, and private lands in Rio Blanco County. The area consists of rolling hills, pinyon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush communities, and rugged high-desert terrain.
The West Douglas Herd Area is located southwest of Rangely near Douglas Pass and encompasses approximately 123,000 acres west of State Highway 139. Unlike the Piceance-East Douglas HMA, the West Douglas Herd Area is not designated for wild horse management because of its complex terrain and limited summer range. During drought and other periods of environmental stress, horses often leave the area in search of forage and water, resulting in impacts to adjacent public, state, and private lands.
The BLM manages wild horses under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act while balancing other authorized public land uses, including wildlife habitat, livestock grazing, recreation, and energy development. Maintaining healthy horse populations within established management levels helps sustain healthy rangelands for all species that depend on them.
- Daily Gather Reports
Aug. 13, 2026
Summary: Another overcast day. Operations started around 6 a.m. at 62 degrees and concluded around 12:30 p.m. at 86 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 15 wild horses (9 stallions, 4 mares, and 2 foals)
Animals Shipped: 39 (25 stallions, 14 mares, 0 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 12, 2026Summary: Mostly overcast today with light, sporadic rain. Operations started around 6 a.m. at 62 degrees and concluded around 4:30 p.m. at 86 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 51 wild horses (18 stallions, 22 mares, and 11 foals)
Animals Shipped: 39 (39 stallions, 0 mares, 0 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 1
- Adult bay stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition - physical deformity, unable to maintain or improve.
Aug. 11, 2026Summary: Another moderate weather day. Operations started around 6 a.m. at 67 degrees and concluded around 12:30 p.m. at 86 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 36 wild horses (15 stallions, 13 mares, and 8 foals)
Animals Shipped: 45 (0 stallions, 29 mares, 16 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 10, 2026
Summary: Cooler today with overcast skies in the morning, turning sunny by afternoon. Operations started around 6 a.m. at 67 degrees and concluded around 12:30 p.m. at 87 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 38 wild horses (15 stallions, 16 mares, and 7 foals)
Animals Shipped: 42 (26 stallions, 16 mares, 0 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 9, 2026
Summary: More of the same with hot and dry conditions. Operations started around 10 a.m. at 87 degrees and concluded around 3 p.m. at 92 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 67 wild horses (30 stallions, 28 mares, and 9 foals)
Animals Shipped: 41 (0 stallions, 24 mares, 17 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 2
- Adult bay stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition - physical deformity, unable to maintain or improve.
- Adult bay stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition - physical deformity, unable to maintain or improve.
Aug. 8, 2026
Summary: More of the same with hot and dry conditions. Operations started around 8 a.m. at 58 degrees and concluded around 3:30 p.m. at 93 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 35 wild horses (16 stallions, 12 mares, and 7 foals)
Animals Shipped: 37 (26 stallions, 11 mares, 0 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 7, 2026
Summary: Another day of hot and dry conditions. Operations started around 8 a.m. at 58 degrees and concluded around 3 p.m. at 92 degrees. Animals continue to be in good condition with Henneke Body Scores ranging from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 48 wild horses (16 stallions, 21 mares, and 11 foals)
Animals Shipped: 87 (26 stallions, 39 mares, 22 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 6, 2026
Summary: Another day of hot and dry conditions. Operations started around 6 a.m. at 58 degrees and concluded around 2 p.m. at 89 degrees. The Henneke Body Score of animals gathered today ranged from 3 to 4. *Final day at this capture location.
Animals Gathered: 41 wild horses (15 stallions, 19 mares, and 7 foals)
Animals Shipped: 1 (0 stallions, 0 mares, 1 foal)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 1
- Adult gray mare with acute fatal injury during trailer transport.
Aug. 5, 2026
Summary: Operations started around 6 a.m. and concluded around 2:30 p.m. The weather continues to be calm and dry. The temperature at the beginning of operations was 58°F and temperature at the end of operations was 89°F. The Henneke Body Score of animals gathered today ranged from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 41 wild horses (21 stallions, 10 mares, and 10 foals)
Animals Shipped: 42 (26 stallions, 14 mares, 2 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 4, 2026
Summary: Operations started around 6 a.m. and concluded around 2:30 p.m. The weather continues to be calm and dry. The temperature at the beginning of operations was 55°F and temperature at the end of operations was 94.2°F. The Henneke Body Score of animals gathered today ranged from 3 to 4. *Final day at this capture location.
Animals Gathered: 52 wild horses (23 stallions, 22 mares, and 7 foals)
Animals Shipped: 86 (26 stallions, 40 mares, 20 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 3, 2026
Summary: Operations started around 6 a.m. and concluded around 11:45 a.m. The weather continues to be calm and dry. The temperature at the beginning of operations was 55°F and temperature at the end of operations was 95.2°F. The Henneke Body Score of animals gathered today ranged from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 84 wild horses (23 stallions, 40 mares, and 21 foals)
Animals Shipped: 80 (25 stallions, 37 mares, 18 foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Aug. 2, 2026
Summary: Operations started around 6 a.m. and concluded around 11 a.m. The weather was calm, dry. The temperature at the beginning of operations was 55°F and temperature at the end of operations was 93.7°F. The Henneke Body Score of animals gathered today ranged from 3 to 4.
Animals Gathered: 96 wild horses (35 stallions, 43 mares, and 18 foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 0
Gather Status
As of Aug. 13, 2026
Animals Gathered: 604 wild horses (236 stallions, 250 mares, and 118 foals)
Animals Shipped: 539 (219 stallions, 224 mares, 96 foals)
Animals Released: 0
Deaths: 4
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports”