2026 Sheepshead/Heath Creek Emergency Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
Currently, there are about 1,200 wild horses in the Sheepshead/Heath Creek Herd Management Area, which can sustainably support roughly 500 to 900 wild horses. Last winter was especially dry, reducing the amount of forage and water available for the oversized herd, and this season’s wildfires exacerbated the situation.
The Bureau of Land Management is initiating a lifesaving gather in southeast Oregon, where the animals’ survival is compromised by a lack of resources due to an especially dry winter and recent wildfires.
Details of Gather:
The BLM will gather up to 499 horses and transport them to off-range holding facilities, where they will receive veterinary evaluations, appropriate care, high‑quality feed, and continuous access to fresh water. The facilities provide ample space that meets established agency standards.
Public Observation:
The BLM will provide updates in this space about the Sheepshead/Heath Creek Emergency Gather.
Adoption Information:
Once they have been evaluated and are ready, some of the horses will be available for adoption through the BLM Online Corral.
Background:
Sheepshead/Heath Creek Herd Management Area (HMA) is located immediately northwest of Burns Junction, Oregon bordered on the east by Highway 78 and on the west by the Steens Mountain Rim. The southern border of the HMA adjoins the Coyote Lake/Alvord-Tule Spring HMA. This HMA is a result of a land use plan decision to combine Burn's Heath Creek/Sheepshead HMA with Vale's Sheepshead HMA due to the migratory movement between them. This HMA is now managed out of Vale as part of the Barren Valley Complex along with Coyote Lake/Alvord–Tule Springs and Sand Springs HMAs.
Many of the horses are descendants of thoroughbreds from U.S. Army remount stallions while others are descendants of escaped or released horses from local ranches.
- Daily Gather Reports
September 2, 2026
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Gather Status
This gather will begin on or about September 2, 2026.
Animals Gathered: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Animals Released
0 Wild Horses (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
-Sudden / Acute: 0
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports."