The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages the majority of the wild horses and burros in the United States. The agency manages these animals on the public rangelands consistent with BLM’s multiple-use mission, which takes into consideration natural resources such as wildlife and vegetation, and other users such as ranchers and recreationists. Wild horses and burros are truly “living legends” on our Western landscapes, and the BLM is privileged to share in their management.

We enjoy the legacy of wild horses and burros today because of Velma Johnston, also known as “Wild Horse Annie.” She dedicated her life to protecting these animals and focused public concern that led to the passage of protective legislation. In 1971, Congress declared wild free-roaming horses and burros to be living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.

The BLM meets the program’s congressional mandate by gathering excess wild horses and burros from the range and holding adoptions to place them in the care of private citizens nationwide. Another tool that the BLM has to help maintain a healthy balance is fertility control. BLM is working with university and government research scientists to develop a contraceptive program to help control wild horse populations. Currently, field tests are taking place in select herds.

Wild horses and burros populate 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. In 2003, BLM estimated that there were 37,186 wild horses and burros on Western public lands. Nevada’s public lands are home to the majority of these animals with a population of 17,930. New Mexico’s public lands have the fewest, with a population of only 50