About the Wild Horse and Burro Program

The Bureau of Land Management created the Wild Horse and Burro Program to implement the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act (.pdf), passed by Congress in 1971. Broadly, the law declares wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and stipulates that the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have the responsibility to manage and protect herds in their respective jurisdictions within areas where wild horses and burros were found roaming in 1971. Read more >>

Learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program:

• About wild horses and burros
• Program history
• Myths and facts
• Common questions from the public
• Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program
• Wild Horse and Burro Program data and statistics

Herd Management

The BLM manages free-roaming wild horses and burros on public lands as part of its multiple-use mission, with the goal of supporting healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands.  The BLM is responsible for determining and maintaining appropriate management levels (AML) for each herd and works to achieve that population target through a variety of management processes, including limiting reproduction in some herds through the use of birth control and gathers that remove excess animals from the range. Read more >>

Learn more about:

• Maintaining range and herd health
• Wild horse and burro herd management areas
• Gather, removal and fertility control actions
• Science and research
• Maps

Adoptions and Sales

The BLM works to place excess animals into private care through its Adoption and Sales Programs as well as successful partnerships with organizations across the nation.  Many have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro.  It is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. Read more >>

Learn more about:

• How to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro
• Adoption Incentive Program
• Off-range corral adoption and purchase locations
• Wild horse and burro adoption and sale events
• Visiting and adopting or purchasing from a public off-range pasture
• Sale Program
• Frequently asked questions

Get Involved

There are many opportunities to get involved in the management and protection of America’s wild horses and burros.  The BLM relies on the advice and guidance of its National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, as well as the hard work and determination of thousands of volunteers, partners, donors and contractors. Read more >>

Learn more about: 

• National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
• Educational resources about wild horses and burros
• Funding opportunities for off-range facilities and more
• Volunteer Service Program
• Other volunteering opportunities

Partnerships

Managing, protecting, and finding homes for America’s wild horses and burro is challenging as it is rewarding.  The BLM relies on the work of many partners to accomplish its mission of maintaining healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public lands. 

The BLM works with its partners to accomplish range and herd management goals; training and adopting excess wild horses and burros; raising awareness of the unique qualities and sustained privilege of owning a wild horses or burro; and many other activities to improve the lives of the animals. Read more >>

Learn more about: 

• Beaty Butte Wild Horse Gather, Fertility Control and Training Program
• Mustang Heritage Foundation
• Idaho 4-H
• Napa Mustang Days
• Florence Training and Holding Facility
• Little Book Cliffs Darting Team
• McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area partnership
• Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center

Contact Us and Request Information

 

Do you have questions about the Wild Horse and Burro Program, or would you like to request program data? We recommend first checking our data page, which provides decades of population, adoption, removal and other historical data, as well as our Frequently Asked Questions page. 

For additional questions or data requests, please contact the National Information Center prior to submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act. We strive to provide substantive responses as quickly as possible and reduce the need to submit FOIA requests. FOIA requests undergo a legal process that can be time intensive and costly, which consumes agency resources and funding that otherwise can be used to help fulfill our mission of managing healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public lands. 

Finally, please report any suspected inhumane treatment of wild horses and burros to the National Information Center. 

Wild Horse and Burro National Information Center
866-4MUSTANGS (866-468-7826)
wildhorse@blm.gov

Contact information for off-range corral facilities can be found on each facility webpage. 

Contact your local BLM state, district or field office for specific questions regarding submitting an adoption application, obtaining title and more. 

To submit a FOIA request, please visit the BLM's FOIA website. 

Photo credit: John Wheland

The BLM and USFS issue second call for nominations to fill two vacancies on National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have released a second call for nominations to fill two vacancies on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board for the positions that represent livestock management and wildlife management. Nominations must be received and post-marked no later than January 23, 2023. Read more >>

Recent BLM Announcements: 

• BLM and Forest Service re-appoint three wild horse and burro advisory board members
   
• National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will hold next meeting in October
   
• BLM announces new opportunity for partnerships to support management of wild horses and burros
   
• Bureau of Land Management seeks services to expand fertility control efforts for wild horses and burros
   
• BLM schedules public hearing on use of motorized vehicles for wild horse and burro management
   
• BLM enhances protections in wild horse and burro Adoption Incentive Program