There is a lot happening with the BLM Wild Horse and Burro roundup machine today. When so much is happening it becomes easy to get things jumbled. Not only is the roundup machine running full bore, things at the policy and lawsuit level are also adding to the mix. 

Riddle mares and foals arriving at the Burns corral, 2011

Kiger/Riddle (OR): Yesterday, BLM sent out a press release that an “emergency gather” would begin today in the Riddle HMA.

The BLM gather page states: “The Bureau of Land Management plans an emergency operation to rescue wild horses from the herd whose health is under immediate threat from severe food and water shortages. The animals’ survival is compromised by a lack of resources due to an especially dry winter and recent wildfires.”

The page gives no details on the operation targets. However, following a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, the BLM is cleared to take up to 140 horses and not all of the horses. BLM originally planned to take the entire herd, hold them for “range recovery post fire,” and then release to low AML in a year or two (many of you remember Idaho has done that type of operation before with herds like Saylor Creek).

This is not on the regular “gather schedule.” BLM classifies this operation as an “emergency.” (You are not alone, this rapid move to remove these horses surprised us too.)

Although the horses have dun markings, these are also not Carter mustangs. These herds differ in history and genetic makeup. Carter Reservoir, Buckhorn and Coppersmith (CA) are not on the schedule. Those herds are the subject of a different Preliminary Injunction that stopped the operation until the underlying case is heard. We are waiting to see if BLM moves forward with an appeal of that order.

Pryor Mountains (MT)

The removal of wild horses from the Pryor Mountain herd (made famous by the stallion Cloud and the PBS films made by Ginger Kathrens) was cleared by the court to begin. It begins today.

This is not a helicopter drive-trap operation but a bait trap. BLM estimates the population at 185 and says the range can only sustain 107-120. They plan to trap 100 and permanently remove 37. The rest will be released back after treatments with infertility causing vaccines. The BLM page does not specify substance. 

No observation of bait trapping will be allowed. But BLM is offering viewing at the corrals: “The first opportunity will be Thursday October 29, 2026, and then another opportunity on Thursday November 12, 2026. Viewings will be no longer than 30 minutes per group and the maximum number of individuals per group will be 5. Individuals must RSVP by calling the Billings Field Office to reserve a viewing on a first come first serve basis…” For more information about the viewing area or closure, contact the Billings Field Office: BLM_MT_Billings_FO@blm.gov | 406-896-5013.

North Complex (NV): The North complex operation has entered it’s 4th day today moving north.

The wild horses captured on the first 3 days were well loved by the advocates that live in the area. Many locals were caught off-guard and were unaware that they would see helicopters “in their backyards.” This roundup is bringing issues of both how BLM notifies local residents of plans to do removals and how “impound notices” are issued and executed. We will have more on that subject soon.

So far 87 wild horses have been captured.

You can find our team reports by clicking HERE. 

Red Desert (WY):

The Stewart Creek portion of the Red Desert operation has completed. So far, 287 were captured and 7 have died.

This roundup targets 1035 wild horses for capture in the Red Desert Complex. This complex includes an area designated for wild horse use where BLM “does not manage” for horses and sets a population level at “0.” Arapaho Creek is just part of the controversy surrounding this operation.

You can find our onsite team reports by clicking HERE. 

While the roundups grab headlines, a lot is shifting in policy direction… none of it “good.”

Most of you know a $30. million influx from USDA is heading for the Department of Interior (DOI) BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program. The line item in USDA’s budget where this $30. million would originate from remains undisclosed. USDA is historically even unable to fund their own United States Forest Service (USFS) wild horse and burro program.

This is extremely disturbing, closed-door big corporate, dangerous, political shenanigan.

This USDA $30. million would be added to the $11. million already being allocated in the DOI budget “to get to AML and stay there by any means possible” funding. That means in 2027 BLM is set to have a whopping $40. million in additional funding with zero guardrails. Removals and numbers substances and procedures (including surgical sterilization) are all in the mix.

This is urgent: Please learn more and TAKE ACTION. 

This funding will hit at the same time as the “rewrite of regulations” comes into play. It has already been announced by Karen Budd-Falen, associate deputy secretary of the Department of Interior, that regulations are being rewritten for the BLM Wild Horse and Burro program to be “better in-line” with current policy and objectives. We expect to see the draft go out for public comment before the end of the year.

The additional funding will hit the program as protections are stripped. We will have to engage and litigate. But we really need your help and hope you take the action above.

We will have more from our teams in the field and in the courts soon.

Thank you for being an active advocate.

We need your support to keep our teams engaging lawmakers, our team fighting in the court, our team running in the field covering the roundup schedule.