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FACT SHEET on WILD HORSES

Prepared by Brandy Galos and Karen Sussman

SUMMARY - WILD HORSE POPULATION NUMBERS

  • Turn of the Century - At the turn of the century, there were approximately 2 million wild horses on public lands.

  • 1974 - There were approximately 60,000 wild horses and burros on public lands.

  • 1985 - BLM tried to gain sale authority and failed because of the outcry of the American public. At that time BLM had warehoused about 40,000 wild horses

  • Today - There are likely fewer than 36,000 wild horses and burros on public lands.

    BLM plans to bring the population down to 20,000 wild horses and burros.

    At BLM's target population levels, 70% of the herd areas will have less than 100 animals. Such populations will not be genetically viable over the long term.

    Wild horse and rescue groups estimate that Approximately 6000 to 14,000 wild horses will go to slaughter in the next twelve months.