2026 Confusion Wild Horse Gather

The Confusion Herd Management Area is located in Millard and Juab Counties, Utah, approximately 90 miles northwest of Delta in the Confusion Mountains. The HMA is bounded by Cowboy Pass on the south and the Weiss Highway on the north. The HMA is comprised of approximately 235,005 acres of public and other lands. The Appropriate Management Level for this HMA ranges from 70-115.

The herd management area includes the Confusion Range, Granite and Middle Mountains, and the Coyote Knolls topographic features. These ranges are made up of long, narrow, steep ridges with large flat areas around Coyote Knolls. Elevation varies from 7200 feet to 4420 feet. Precipitation averages from four to six inches at lower elevations to six to eight inches at the highest elevations. Temperatures also vary from 0 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to between 100 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. 

Vegetation in the area is made up of three main types - Saltbush-grass type, black sage-grass type, and rabbit brush-grass type. Key species include indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, galletta, needle and thread, sand dropseed, and winterfat. In addition, some juniper trees occur on the tops of the low mountain ridges.  

Permanent waters are located along the west side of the HMA along the drainage bottom of Snake Valley. These waters originate as springs in what is known locally as the “Salt Marsh.” Horses also water at Coyote Springs on the east side of the HMA in Tule Valley. There is a distance of 24 miles between the two permanent water sources. Water is also occasionally available at the Hole-in-the-Wall Reservoir located near the north boundary of the HMA. During the winter months, the horses use snow as a water source on the Middle and Granite Mountains.