2026 Fifteenmile Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
This gather is being conducted to remove approximately 286 excess wild horses. The area includes nearly 81,000 acres of mostly public lands managed by the BLM intermingled with some private lands. Chronic wild horse overpopulation in fragile ecosystems endangers overall land health, with the possibility of permanent, irrecoverable damage to important resources and impacts to other wildlife populations. Recent infrared aerial surveys have shown wild horse populations exceed the established appropriate management level of 100 to 230 wild horses in the area.
Details of Gather:
The planned gather will begin on or after September 15 in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin. Upon arrival at designated holding facilities, the horses will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse Adoption and Sales programs. BLM staff and contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.
Public Observation:
The public is welcome to observe gather operations when conditions allow. The BLM will be offering public viewing from Sept. 15 – 25, 2026, or until the gather is concluded.
BLM's top priority is the safety of the public, the horses, BLM employees, contractors, and gather crews throughout gather operations.
Public viewing will be offered 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. 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.
The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. Participants must provide their own transportation, water and food. The BLM recommends a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle.
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.
Additional Information
- BLM National Gather Observation Protocol
- Know Before You Go Fifteenmile Gather 2026
- Temporary Lands Closure
Adoption Information:
All removed horses will be transported to an off-range holding facility located in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Upon arrival at the facility, they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s wild horse adoption and sale program. Please visit the BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/whb to learn more about adopting a wild horse or burro. If you're interested in volunteering, learn more here: Volunteering | Bureau of Land Management.
Background:
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.
The environmental assessment, decision record and determination of NEPA adequacy are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
- Daily Gather Reports
[Weekday, Month Day]
Summary: (Sunny/Cloudy with temperatures ranging from XXs to XXs during gather operations.)
Animals Gathered: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, and 0 Foals) 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Gather Status
As of [DATE]
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
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"