In 1971, the United States Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. In the legislation, they wrote that “these [wild free-roaming] horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene” and set goals of an ecological balance between wild and domestic livestock. There were approximately sixty thousand wild horses and burros counted in a 1974 census. Today, there are even fewer wild horses and burros on public lands.
Despite the dwindling numbers, wild horses and burros are in good health. They do not suffer from starvation or drought — without human intervention. Some Herd Management Areas do limit access to food and water, leaving the horses and burros in danger.
According to experts, the minimum number of wild horses and burros needed to sustain healthy populations is just over thirty thousand. Groups that want to eliminate wild horses and burros would like to see the population reduced below that threshold. However, wild horses and burros may not be the main threat to overgrazing on public lands. Private livestock — that far outnumber wild horses and burros — may be the true culprits in overgrazing problems. Poorly managed cattle and sheep can do a great deal of damage to rangeland.
The United States Senate called the horse a “living link to the history of the United States” and said that the wild horses and burros “deserve protection and compassion.” In 2004, they declared a National Day of the Horse. These animals have lived in North America for millions of years; let’s do what we can to see them here for millions more.
- Contact your local government and let them know that you support efforts to protect wild horses and burros.
- Donate time and support to organizations like the ASPCA that support wild horse protection efforts.
- Help spread education efforts — make posters, hand out flyers, or talk to people.
- Don’t support businesses and organizations that would encourage the capture and slaughter of wild horses and burros.