The capture portion of the 2026 Red Desert round has ended.

We are awaiting word on release date and numbers. At the start of the operation BLM had said if they hit the target for removal, 100 wild horses would be released after application of population growth suppression (infertility causing vaccines).

Wild horses stop as the helicopter pushes them toward trap amidst cattle that will remain on the range. (Red Desert, 2026)

Captured (official count): 1,035 Wild Horses (372 Stallions, 435 Mares, and 228 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: 860 Wild Horses (301 Stallions, 369 Mares, and 190 Foals)

Deaths: 17 (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, 2-year-old bay filly humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – broken right front leg, 3-year-old gray mare with a Henneke body condition score of 3 died at temporary holding – seizure, 10-year-old bay mare humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 16-year-old pinto stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 8-year-old sorrel stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – abnormality, blind, 13-year-old gray stallion humanely euthanized due to pre-existing condition – spinal deformity.”

The 17 deaths include 7  wild horses determined to be “blind.” These determinations were made without a vet present and (usually) because someone sees the horse crash onto things or not respond as they would expect when something is moved toward their face.

Of these “blindness” deaths, there were 3 cremellos (blue eyes) that were known by many people on the range. Living wild they did just fine with no indication of blindness.

The public is, frankly, outraged.

If these deaths like these upset you please take action. Join the call to gain enforceable welfare rules.

In June BLM quietly weakened their welfare recommendations and things like “no vet required” and no limit on electric shock (and no documentation) are now standard practice.

This is happening as a massive $30. million influx is coming into the BLM program for “fertility control,” a vague and dangerous term. BLM has and is approving plans to sterilize herds and portions of herds (where the absurdly low population numbers have never been justified). This funding is coming without a single guardrail.

PLEASE Take action today, click HERE. 

BLM marketed this as a “rescue” operation. These wild herds looked just fine going into winter on a range that could sustain both them and other wildlife.

You can find our team reports here. 

You can find 2026 roundup coverage HERE.

Our team is working hard. 

We will update you as time allows on litigation throughout the West.

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.