Advocacy Group Raises Concerns Over Wild Horse Roundups in Western U.S.

An advocacy group has identified seven sites in the Western United States where federal roundups of wild horses might happen this September. Federal officials are conducting these roundups to manage wild horse populations, which they claim have increased beyond sustainable numbers.

**Locations for Potential Roundups**

The American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) flagged several places where gathers might occur:

• Nut Mountain HMA – 9/1/26
• Bitner HMA – 9/1/26
• Massacre Lakes – 9/1/26
• Challis HMA – 9/9/26
• Sand Wash Basin – 9/17/26
• Fifteenmile – 9/15/26
• Jackson Mountains HMA – 9/20/26

AWHC stated, “Another roundup month begins.” They emphasize September as a crucial time to oversee activities, demand responsibility, and advocate for humane approaches regarding wild horses and burros.

The federal plan features gathers, emergency removals, and fertility-control efforts across many Western states. For instance, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has planned to start a Wyoming operation on or after September 15 to remove approximately 286 animals from the Fifteenmile Herd Management Area.

**Reasons for Horse Roundups**

The BLM states gathers help protect wild horses, burros, and the public rangelands sustaining them. With few predators, herds can double in size within four to five years, risking excessive demand for food and water and causing land harm. Consequently, the BLM maintains herds at an “appropriate management level” to balance the animals with wildlife, livestock, and other land uses.

The BLM’s strategies involve animal removal through gathers and, where feasible, fertility control to slow population growth.

**Criticism of Helicopter Roundups**

Advocacy groups criticize helicopter roundups, arguing they harm animals and break family groups. Return to Freedom considers these roundups dangerous, with horses chased over long distances on rough ground before separation in holding pens. They promote fertility control to limit population growth while keeping horses on the range.

The AWHC contends that helicopter chases exhaust and stress horses, causing injuries or deaths. They argue that roundups split family groups, place animals in federal facilities, and impose significant taxpayer costs. They support fertility control as a more humane alternative.

**Colorado’s Stance Against Helicopter Roundups**

Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Representative Joe Neguse have asked the BLM to halt planned wild horse roundups in the state. In a September 3 letter, they reported that about 800 horses were captured in the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area, with six fatalities occurring. They noted an upcoming operation in the Sand Wash Basin could reduce that herd by over 60 percent.

Polis and Neguse recognized the need to manage herd sizes but called helicopter roundups “inhumane and unnecessary.” They highlighted the potential for panic, exhaustion, and serious injuries. They requested a pause on these operations, seeking more collaboration with communities and evidence favoring humane methods over helicopters.