2025 has certainly seen a fast and tumultuous beginning. A lot has happened in the first quarter of the year. Together, we are pushing precedent setting action won in 2024 further to gain real transparent and fair on range management. We are continuing to expose wrongs from range through capture and beyond… and work diligently to set them right. 

A fast recap of just some of our work in the first quarter of the year as we move into the second quarter of the year where legislative battles (funding and other bills) and the avalanche of open comments for newly proposed actions (roundups, habitat threats) hits in the annual cycle of advocacy. It is impossible to write about every range run, call to lawmakers or important legal brief, update or educational article we provide. 

Many of you feel tired after the first 3 months of the year. Too often, we fail to realize all that happens as we race to the next challenge. A fast look at the last 3 months. 

Roundups

Our team was out covering the winter roundups. Helicopter drive-trapping continues each year through the end of February and then breaks until the first week of July. BLM has arbitrarily set peak foaling season from March 1 – June 30 for all herds in the western U.S. Actual foaling season differs from range to range based on climate and man-made changes from the use of fertility control agents that skew annual cycles. Even though it is illegal for BLM to use a helicopter during foaling season, BLM has never supplied any data and does not track the time of prohibition with facts. (Our team is addressing this critically fragile time for our herds in both litigation against how BLM crafts management and roundup plans, but also through our work to gain concise and enforceable welfare rules. You can help.)

Winter 2025 roundup coverage included another removal of wild horses at Fish Creek in Nevada and helicopter drive trapping of burros at Canyonlands in Utah. 

As we move into the second quarter of the year, BLM has released the “Population Statistics Report” and published a confirmed “interim schedule.” This annual occurrence kicks of the Appropriations (spending bill) requests to Congress for the following fiscal year that begins in October. The schedule includes a massive roundup in the Rock Springs Complex and Kiger/Riddle are targeted. (More HERE)

Investigative Reports

Our investigative work continues to expose mismanagement and mishandling. These investigations can take a long time as we piece together multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reports. 

As we filed the brief with the Ninth Circuit to expose the “closed door” system of private BLM holding facilities and the abysmal record keeping and care our captive wild ones receive, we did a series of articles that clearly demonstrate deep reform (and a concise and enforceable welfare policy) is desperately needed. (More HERE)

Litigation

With your help, we have been able to launch multiple lawsuits that range from exposing and changing abuse, to pushing forward to gain meaningful change in the way our wild ones are managed on the range. 

At Stone Cabin/Saulsbury, the lawsuit brought by the rancher to force a mass removal lost in federal district court in March and they are appealing to the circuit court to attempt to get the ruling overturned. Our response lawsuit, to address the BLM failure to comply with underlying documents in their final roundup plan, is moving toward a ruling. Over the last 3 months our team has worked on multiple briefs in the case. BLM must recognize the failure to comply with the 1983 HMAP we are arguing in court because they began scoping, 2 years after finalizing the roundup plan, to create an HMAP that complies. (Yes, after not complying with underlying planning, BLM is just trying to change facts … after the fact. We will update you soon.)

We have continued active cases from 2024 (First Amendment issues, unjustified roundup plans, multiple mining cases, cases addressing livestock permits that shortchange wild horses, etc.) and have filed additional actions with the court. This week, we will begin the next round of litigation at the Pancake Complex. 

Legislation

Our team has been meeting with key lawmakers to address both the SAFE Act (protection slaughter for both formerly wild and domestic) and to address issues as the Appropriations (spending bill) debates are underway. You can take action, too. 

We are thrilled that so many organizations and individuals have included asking for specific funding to complete the Rulemaking process to gain, once and for all, concise and enforceable welfare rules as you speak to your legislators. What BLM is doing now is wasting a lot of money to create a mess simply to maintain the status quo. This should be one issue we all agree on: Concise and enforceable welfare rules aimed squarely at preventing undue suffering and death should have happened decades ago and is an inexpensive step in a positive direction. (Learn more and take action)

Active NEPA

During the first quarter of the year the annual avalanche of proposed actions by BLM began. Our team has commented on cuts to the National Environmental Policy Act itself, roundup plans and more.

When we comment on any planning, from large land use plans to roundup plans, one thing always stands out: How BLM set the number of wild horses or burros they say is “appropriate” is never stated in plain language expressing data or method. Yet, every proposed action is set to either to removal to hit that number or remove habitat because they are only allowing a few horses/burros and therefore say they can give away the habitat to private profiteers.

Right now there are 3 active comment periods you should know about: 

There are two planning documents open for the Rock Springs Complex (WY): Great Divide Basin, Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, White Mountain and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas (HMAs). One is what is called a “Determination of NEPA Adequacy” or “DNA.” This is not open “planning,” but a comment period that says the planning documents they have are all they need to move forward with a huge summer roundup, (comments die April 28). The other is a new “Gather Environmental Assessment (EA)” BLM needs to begin zeroing out Salt Wells, Great Divide Basin and the NW corner of Adobe Town, (comments due April 30). (Learn MORE HERE)

BLM is beginning Scoping (comments before they draft a document) for a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP) for a new Callaghan Complex (NV). The management plan would set objectives for this area for the next 10-20 years. Comments due by April 14. (Learn MORE HERE)

Over the last 3 months our team has been working hard for both our wild horses and burros and for you, the public that cherishes these magnificent souls. It is impossible to write about every range run, call to lawmakers or important legal brief, update or educational article we provide. (If you are looking for something specific, you can use the search bar in the top right or the monthly archive at the bottom of the page in the footer.)

Together we will continue to take a strong stand. WHE won’t back down. 

We need your support to keep our teams running. On range, through capture and into holding, our team is ready to go the distance to protect and preserve our precious wild ones. Thank you so much for standing with us!