The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) needs two new pasture holding facilities west of the Mississippi River. This additional space will be for horses housed in long-term, all of which are located currently in Kansas and Oklahoma.

“We are reaching the capacity limits of our existing pasture facilities,” said Tom Gorey, BLM spokesperson, on Sept. 21.

According to a BLM release, “Each pasture facility must be able to provide humane care for and maintain up to 1,500 wild horses and burros over a one-year period, starting about November 1, 2006, with an option under BLM contract for an additional four one-year extensions.”

The BLM reported there are about 31,000 free-roaming wild horses and burros on BLM-managed lands, and that number exceeds the land’s capacity to maintain a healthy herd status. Additionally, there are about 26,000 wild horses and burros housed in short- and long-term facilities around the country