America’s Wild Horses at Risk

The Wild Horse

A majestic symbol of American freedom, the wild horses of the west represent the pioneer spirit and heart of our country. I was heartbroken when I discovered that these wild horses, once considered a national treasure are now being mistreated, devalued and led to slaughter by the very institution that was established to protect them.

The Bureau of Land Management is supposed to be the protector of these uniquely American wild horses. They’re not doing their job. They are recklessly encouraging adoption of wild horses to the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder is often a slaughterhouse. The government insists on rounding them up and penning them to prevent them from eating food on federal land and supposedly overrunning other wildlife. These wild horses, numbering between 8-10 thousand are not allowed to graze on the same federal land that private cattle ranchers use to graze their 3 million cattle.

That’s not even the worst news. The BLM is taking it one step further. Budgets for maintaining and adopting out the captured wild horses has been cut by millions of dollars this year. Euthanasia seems to be their solution. Approximately 8,000 wild horses are currently threatened.

Please take the time to watch this important video and understand the issue fully. If you are a horse lover, brace yourself. This is going to hurt.

Our wild horses deserve better. Here are a few more facts to consider.

• There are options, including stabilizing the herds on dedicated lands, cooperating with land owners of large properties, or careful fertilization management.
• The program as it now exists is costing tax payers 39 million dollars annually.
• The BLM is targeting 70% of the remaining wild horses in a way that will not ensure genetic viability.

This quote from Wild Horse Preservation a non-profit seeking to protect our wild horses and see the The WildFree-Roaming Horse and Burro Act enforced properly, says it all:

“Although in-the-wild management would save millions of tax-dollars, special interests have been successful in pressuring the government to systematically remove wild horses from public lands - specifically corporate cattle interests who want our horses replaced with private cattle for subsidized grazing.”

What can we do? Sign the petition to save our nations majestic wild horses. Spread the word.