Red Desert 2026
The Red Desert (WY) roundup began October 15, targeting 1,035 wild horses for capture. If that target is met, about 100 horses will be returned to the range with population-growth suppression applied.
BLM’s spring 2026 population statistics listed an estimated 1,679 horses across the five Red Desert HMAs. Its current gather schedule lists an estimated 2,015 horses at the start of the fall operation, without providing an updated population breakdown by HMA.
The Red Desert Complex includes Antelope Hills HMA (approximately 159,000 acres; AML 60–82 horses), Crooks Mountain HMA (approximately 58,000 acres; AML 65–85), Green Mountain HMA (approximately 117,000 acres; AML 170–300), Lost Creek HMA (approximately 251,000 acres; AML 60–82), and Stewart Creek HMA (approximately 168,000 acres; AML 125–175), with the adjoining Arapaho Creek Herd Area encompassing an additional 185,718 acres and “not managed” to maintain a wild horse population (but yet a BLM recognized route that horses move from HMA to HMA allowing BLM to set low AML in each without claiming that these numbers are not at risk genetically due to movement, in and through Arapaho). You can learn more HERE.
From BLM about the operation: “The BLM plans to gather approximately 1,035 horses from the Stewart Creek and Green Mountain herd management areas during this fall’s operations, as part of approximately 1,800 horses planned to be gathered across the Red Desert Complex…”
Access to this operation was initially set for only 4 out of 37 scheduled days. Our legal team did engage.
Access to observe will be offered throughout the roundup that is now expected to last 3 weeks.
From BLM: Observation is available by reservation only and is limited to 10-15 people per viewing day. Reservations will be accepted by email only at BLM_WY_Comms@blm.gov. Requests must be submitted no later than 12 p.m. the day prior to the public viewing day you wish to attend. In your reservation request, please state which calendar day(s) you prefer to attend so we can accommodate as many people as possible. Phone and voicemail reservations will not be accepted.
Official cumulative numbers:
Captured (official count): 777 Wild Horses (279 Stallions, 328 Mares, and 170 Foals)
Please note: BLM changed official capture total day one to 132 Wild Horses (44 Stallions, 58 Mares, and 30 Foals) from the original 133 Wild Horses (44 Stallions, 58 Mares, and 31 Foals)
Shipped: 588 Wild Horses (224 Stallions, 254 Mares, and 110 Foals)
Deaths: 11 (Day 1, BLM said: 1-year old Pinto stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity, unable to maintain or improve. Observers onsite said the paint horse had club foot. On Day 2 they added 2 more to the total saying ” Foal pinto filly humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity, unable to maintain or improve. 4-year-old pinto stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – club foot. 8-year-old gray stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – deformity, right knee break. 2-year-old cremello mare humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind. Foal cremello filly humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind. Foal cremello colt humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 3-year-old pinto mare humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity, 20-year-old black stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 25-year-old black stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 9-year-old sorrel stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity.”
Please be aware, BLM weakened the standards in their CAWP program on June 29th, right before helicopter roundup season began. A veterinarian is no longer required to be onsite.
This page will update frequently as images and video are transferred and information comes in from the field. Most recent updates will appear at the top, scroll for earlier reports.
Day 9: 10-24-26
Images and video are just coming in from the field. We will update as soon as soon as possible.
109 (42 Stallions, 43 Mares, and 24 Foals) were captured today from Green Mountain.
Delay due to weather. Capture resumed around 10:30 a.m. Our team member is the only member of the public onsite.
Day 8: 10-23-26:
A no fly day due to weather.
4 were put down. BLM said: “3-year-old pinto mare humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity, 20-year-old black stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 25-year-old black stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 9-year-old sorrel stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity.”
76 (36 Stallions, 40 Mares, and 0 Foals) shipped to Rock Springs.
Day 7: 10-22-26: 146 (52 Stallions, 61 Mares, and 33 Foals) were captured. Our observer was not onsite.
Day 6: 10-21-26
53 (17 Stallions, 25 Mares, and 11 Foals) wild horses were caught on the second day at the first trap in Green Mountain.
Day 5: 10-20-26
Wild horses stopped for a moment to stand with the cattle on the range as they were being removed and the cattle stayed.
It was a large numbers day.
180 (66 Stallions, 76 Mares, and 38 Foals) were captured.
No observation of temporary corrals was permitted.
Day 4: 10-19-26
On the last day at Stewart Creek BLM captured: 120 (44 Stallions, 49 Mares, and 27 Foals)
A stud that escaped capture, but his family did not. We do not know if his family was both in trap and on the trailer as he approached.
A band evaded the trap and headed toward observers. They were pursued and captured.
The Stewart Creek portion of operations is ending. Some of the horses will be treated and released. We do not have conformation on how many will go back.
4 horses were put down, BLM lists them as:
- 8-year-old gray stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – deformity, right knee break.
- 2-year-old cremello mare humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind.
- Foal cremello filly humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind.
- Foal cremello colt humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind.
Day 3: 10-18-26
Stud pacing fence line where his mares are on the other side
35 (13 Stallions, 15 Mares, and 7 Foals) additional Stewart Creek wild horses were captured.
These wild horses are known and loved by many.
One of the things that happens at roundups is the separation of families. There are people that do not think this matters and that advocates are placing weight on some false narrative. But for anyone that has heard families call to each other after separation, a 4 or 5 month old colt for it’s mom or a stallion back-and-forth with his mares, can’t appreciate the issue fully.
Stallion keeping the others from the fence line as he and his mares call back and forth. The distress is palpable. It also causes extreme tension for the less dominant stallions who will be pushed back from the fence as the grey continues to try to protect his family from unnatural threats in the unnatural environment of a holding corral.
All of the horses captured continue to be in extremely good body condition.
Stallions are forever separated. But so are older foals.
This separation is permanent and will continue through into the holding facility after arrival.
Weaned at trap. A 4-6 month old foal will still nurse. Usually approaching mom at least once an hour. (click image for more)
Day 2: 10-17-26: Operation called for the day due to wind. No active capture.
Even though the helicopter did not fly there were 2 deaths. BLM said: ” Foal pinto filly humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – limb deformity, unable to maintain or improve. 4-year-old pinto stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – club foot.”
The club foot was the one we thought they put down the first day. They updated the age of the horse killed day 1 to read “1-year old.”
Note: BLM will not call these horses “Paints.” A Paint is a recognized breed. Pinto just means “spotted or painted,” like the pinto bean. In some circles it can be seen as a derogation.
What was seen on day 2: A few healthy horses, a healthy pronghorn community (unusual, particularly for most places in Wyoming) and a pretty healthy range for this time of year.
Day 1: 10-16-26
133 wild horses were captured. It was an emotional day for people that know and love this herd.
No view of trap was provided. This inhibits the ability to assess handling practices. No view of sorting at temporary corrals.
At the temporary corrals, observers were given access to assess post capture condition, but not sorting process. (end of video above)
Our team is working hard.
We will update you as time allows.
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.