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American Wild Horse Conservation

25 Burros Dead. How Many More?

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

May is Burro Awareness Month — a time to celebrate and protect these intelligent, resilient animals who’ve roamed the American West for generations. But despite their ecological and cultural importance, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to manage them in the most cruel and costly way.

And Meredith, this has deadly consequences. Last month, at least 25 wild burros died at the BLM’s Axtell holding facility in Utah from the gammaherpes virus.

Give now to protect wild burros

They were chased with helicopters for potentially miles, removed from their home in the Canyonlands Herd Management Area, and funneled into an overburdened holding facility.

These roundups are particularly hard for these sensitive animals and the stress of removal and confinement can lead to disease outbreaks like the gammaherpes virus, but also a condition called hyperlipemia. This often fatal disease causes burros to become lethargic and stop eating.

This tragedy isn’t an isolated incident.

In 2023, 45 Nevada burros died at the same facility, and over half died due to hyperlipemia. Others died during geldings or had to be euthanized due to preventable health issues. In 2016, another outbreak claimed even more burros’ lives.

Yet, nearly a decade later, the BLM continues the same cruel pattern: more roundups, more confinement, more deaths.

Over 64,000 wild horses and burros are now trapped in government holding facilities. This is costing taxpayers tens of millions, and it’s costing the animals their lives.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Your support can power solutions that keep wild burros on the range where they belong — free, safe, and thriving. 

With your help, we can:

  • Demand accountability from the BLM.
  • Promote humane, science-based alternatives to roundups.
  • Advocate for real wild burro conservation (not feedlots).

Give now to protect wild burros

The system is failing. Let’s not allow any more burros to die without meaningful conservation reform.

For the wild ones,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Remembering David Horowitz’s Fight to Protect Wild Horses

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Recently, The Hill published AWHC’s op-ed recognizing the important role the late David Horowitz, a well-known conservative leader and author, played in fighting the threat of wild horse slaughter in 2017. 

In it, our Executive Director Suzanne Roy reflects on Horowitz’s legacy as an advocate for the humane treatment of our nation’s wild horses.

When federal legislation threatened to legalize the mass slaughter of wild horses and burros, David spoke out forcefully. He rallied political leaders, and emphasized the public’s overwhelming opposition to slaughter. His actions were instrumental in stopping a dangerous policy and preserving protections that still stand today. 

His work showed how conservatives’ values of stewardship, compassion, fiscal responsibility can and should include protecting the West’s most iconic animals.

Now, as policymakers once again consider proposals that could endanger wild horses, Horowitz’s wisdom and foresight remain a guiding light. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. 

Please take a moment to read Suzanne’s op-ed and reflect on how one determined voice can shape a better future for America’s wild mustangs and burros.

Thank you for being a part of this mission.

For the wild ones,

American Wild Horse Conservation

6 WILD Facts You Didn’t Know About Burros

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Did you know that wild burros can recognize each other’s voices from more than a mile away? Or that they can sprint faster than a coyote in a chase? These smart, sturdy animals are full of surprises — and their impact on our environment goes far beyond what meets the eye.

Photo Credit: Steve Paige

In honor of Burro Awareness Month, here are six fascinating facts about these often-overlooked desert dwellers:

  • A donkey never forgets. Burros have an astonishing memory — they can recall other burros and familiar places even after 25 years apart.
  • Burros put on a brave face. As a survival instinct, burros tend to mask pain or weakness to avoid becoming targets in the wild. But just because they look tough doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering.
  • Donkeys are digestion machines. Burros make the most of every bite. Their efficient systems extract up to 95% of the nutrients from what they eat.
  • Burro babies aren’t born for a YEAR! The average burro pregnancy lasts 11 to 14.5 months. Most foals are born at night, when it’s safest.
  • Burros are ecosystem engineers! Burros create life-giving water holes in desert regions. These mini-oases provide essential hydration for a wide range of wildlife.
  • The blind burro buddy system: Blind burros often form deep bonds with sighted companions who help lead the way. And get this: Donkeys can see all four of their feet at once!

Chip in to Protect America’s Wild Burros

Wild burros may keep quiet about their pain, but they should NOT have to suffer in silence. At American Wild Horse Conservation, we’re fighting to end inhumane government policy and ensure burros get the protection they deserve. Will you make a quick donation to support our work?

For the wild ones,

Team AWHC

Celebrating all the wild horse moms this Mother’s Day!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the nurturing, resilient, and protective spirit of mothers everywhere, let’s take a moment to also honor some of the most devoted moms in the wild — the mares of America’s wild horse herds.

Photo by Yasmin Tajik

These incredible mothers face constant challenges. From surviving harsh environments to protecting their young from predators and even government roundups, wild horse mares embody strength and sacrifice every day.

But they can’t do it alone. Right now, wild mares and their precious foals are at risk. Starting in just two months, federal roundups threaten to tear families apart, placing thousands of horses in government holding pens — many never to run free again.

Will you stand with us this Mother’s Day to protect wild horse mothers and keep their families together? Your generous gift can help us stop the roundups, safeguard their freedom, and ensure that wild mares and their foals continue to roam the lands they call home.

DONATE

Thank you for standing with all the wild moms out there.

With gratitude,

American Wild Horse Conservation

In celebration of Burro Awareness Month

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

May is a month of renewal: spring blooms, new life on the range, and a powerful reminder to protect the wild. It’s also Burro Awareness Month, a time to honor one of the most resilient and misunderstood animals in the American West.

This month is a celebration of the wild burro’s vital role in the American West, both ecological and cultural. But it’s also a call to action to protect them against federal mismanagement.

TAKE ACTION FOR WILD BURROS

The National Academy of Sciences warned in 2013 that the small, fragmented nature of burro herds threatens their genetic viability and that current population levels may be too low to sustain healthy herds. Yet, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to ignore this science.

In fact, during this year’s Burro Awareness month, the BLM is planning to remove over 1,100 wild burros in a bait trap roundup in Arizona’s Three Rivers Complex. The current plan would leave only 1,160 burros in the wild on nearly one million acres of public, private, and state land.
While this is not a helicopter roundup, the lasting impacts will be devastating for these important herds.

The ecological importance of wild burros in desert environments cannot be overstated. Studies show that burros dig wells that provide water access for native species and support biodiversity in some of the harshest environments in the American West. Yet BLM continues to treat them as pests rather than ecosystem engineers.

This must change. This Burro Awareness Month, take action for wild burros and call on the BLM to:

  • Stop rounding up wild burros, especially with helicopters
  • Recognize the ecological importance of wild burros in arid landscapes
  • Address genetic fragmentation by reassessing AMLs and implementing science-based plans to ensure long-term viability

Let the BLM know that you want burros protected, not driven to collapse.

For the wild ones,

Team AWHC

Reminder: Today is the day to GIVE BIG!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The Big Day of Giving is officially here! Today, our community comes together to support the causes we care about most — and for wild horses and burros, this moment couldn’t be more important.

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is participating in this powerful 24-hour giving event. Our goal? Raise $25,000 to fuel rescue efforts, expose government abuse, and fight for real protections for America’s wild herds.

And with your help, we know we can get there. Will you make your gift right now and be part of this movement?

HELP US REACH $25,000

Your Big Day of Giving donation supports:

  • Documentation and investigation into harmful government policy.
  • Rescue operations for wild horses at risk of slaughter and confinement.
  • Public education campaigns and grassroots advocacy.
  • On-the-ground efforts to push for humane, in-the-wild management.

This is your chance to make a powerful impact — and every dollar counts. Together, we can change the future for America’s wild horses and burros.

Let’s make this Big Day of Giving one to remember.

DONATE BEFORE MIDNIGHT

With hopeful gratitude,

American Wild Horse Conservation

P.S. Donations made today help us unlock momentum and show the strength of our community. Give now, and help us reach our $25,000 goal before midnight!

Tell the BLM: Stop Using Helicopters to Round Up Wild Horses and Burros

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

On May 6, 2025, from 1 to 3 PM MST, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold its legally mandated virtual public meeting on the use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles in wild horse and burro management.

This is a critical opportunity for YOU to speak out against one of the most inhumane practices in the federal government’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. Register to speak by May 5, 2025!

Register and Read the Talking Points Here

Can’t attend the meeting? You can still make your voice heard by submitting written comments directly to the BLM:

Submit your comment now

Helicopter roundups are cruel, costly, and ineffective. Foals, pregnant mares, and older animals are chased over miles of rugged terrain—often in extreme heat—resulting in injuries, trauma, and even death. In one horrifying 2024 incident, a BLM contractor was caught on video kicking a downed horse in the head.

We know there’s a better way.

Humane fertility control offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution that keeps wild horses in the wild and out of overburdened holding pens. The BLM currently spends less than 4% of its budget on this proven conservation method.

The public has spoken—over 100,000 Americans have signed on to a petition calling for an end to helicopter roundups. Now it’s time for the BLM to listen.

Let’s make our voices count on May 6.

Submit your comment now

 

For the wild ones,
The AWHC Team

What you need to know about Big Day of Giving

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The Big Day of Giving is almost here — and it’s our chance to be part of something powerful. Big Day of Giving (BDOG) is an annual community-wide fundraising event in the Sacramento area that brings together thousands of nonprofits and donors to make a collective impact.

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is participating this year — and we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $25,000 to support our work protecting wild horses and burros across the West.

Early giving is already open, and we’re calling on supporters like you to help us get a head start. Will you make a donation today?

GIVE EARLY FOR BDOG

Your support powers:

  • Documentation and investigation into harmful government policy.
  • Rescue operations for wild horses at risk of slaughter and confinement.
  • Public education campaigns and grassroots advocacy.
  • On-the-ground efforts to push for humane, in-the-wild management.

Every dollar brings us closer to a future where wild herds roam free, safe from cruelty and captivity. With your help, we can meet our $25,000 goal and continue building the momentum needed to protect these iconic animals.

The Big Day of Giving is about community, compassion, and collective action. Will you stand with us — and with them?

GIVE NOW

Thank you for being part of this critical work. We couldn’t do it without you.

With gratitude,

Team AWHC

Thank you

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

You’re helping us build something powerful.

Now that National Volunteer Week has officially wrapped up, I want to take a moment — on behalf of myself and the entire team at American Wild Horse Conservation — to say thank you.

Thank you for standing with us.

Thank you for speaking out.

And to those of you who filled out the form to become a Volunteer Ambassador — thank you for taking the next step toward deeper involvement in this important movement.

This week underscored something incredibly important: The strength of our mission comes from you.

Every name added to our volunteer team, every email sent, and every conversation started in defense of our wild horses and burros is a ripple that moves us closer to real, lasting change. And knowing that more people than ever are raising their hands to help fills me with hope.

Our team will be in touch with each of you who expressed interest in becoming a Volunteer Ambassador. We’re so excited to help you plug in and find meaningful ways to use your voice, your passion, and your time.

Together, we’re building a powerful force for humane wild horse and burro conservation — and I’m so grateful to have you with us.

With gratitude and wild hope,

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Conservation

P.S. If you didn’t get a chance to sign up but are still interested, it’s not too late — click here to fill out the Volunteer Ambassador form!

Become a Volunteer Ambassador

Support the Volunteers on the Front Lines

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Every day, volunteers across the country are giving their time and heart to protect America’s wild horses and burros.

From our Volunteer Ambassadors to our on-the-ground volunteers in Nevada’s Virginia Range, these champions are making a real difference. They’re educating the public, meeting with lawmakers, and administering humane fertility control — all to keep wild horses wild and free.

But they can’t do it alone. Your contribution this National Volunteer Week will directly support these selfless volunteers by helping us organize trainings, purchase supplies, and pay for their travel expenses. Every dollar helps equip our team with what they need to do this vital work. Can you chip in to support our volunteers?

POWER OUR VOLUNTEERS

Our fertility control program in the Virginia Range is the largest of its kind in the world, and it’s powered almost entirely by volunteers. These individuals brave the Nevada terrain in all seasons, carefully darting mares with the humane, reversible, and science-backed PZP vaccine — a proven way to manage our wild herds in the wild, where they belong.

It’s hands-on, labor-intensive work. But it’s worth it. In the Virginia Range, populations are stabilizing in an area where their habitat is rapidly encroached upon by development. And best of all, these iconic mustangs are still roaming free. But we need your help to keep it going.

Meredith, your generosity ensures that our boots-on-the-ground and grassroots advocates can continue this life-changing work. In honor of National Volunteer Week, will you stand with them and with the wild horses they fight for every day?

POWER OUR VOLUNTEERS

— Team AWHC

Celebrate National Volunteer Week by Joining Our Volunteer Ambassador Team!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Happy National Volunteer Week!

Here at American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), we’re taking this special week to recognize the power of people like you — passionate advocates who stand up, speak out, and take action to protect our iconic wild horses and burros.

Our grassroots strength is what drives real change, and right now, as we prepare for the upcoming summer roundups, we’re calling on compassionate individuals across the country to join our team as Volunteer Ambassadors.

This is your chance to turn your passion into action.

As a Volunteer Ambassador, you’ll be on the front lines of our movement — helping us challenge the federal government’s inhumane Wild Horse and Burro Program and fight for humane, in-the-wild conservation solutions. You’ll help us raise awareness, connect with your community, and engage with decision-makers to defend America’s wild herds.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER AMBASSADOR

Whether you’re leading outreach events, attending policy meetings, or simply sharing your voice online — you’ll be part of a growing movement to protect these incredible animals. And don’t worry, we know everyone’s schedule is different, so our roles are flexible and tailored to your availability.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we hope you’ll consider stepping into a bigger role in the fight to save our wild horses and burros. Your voice, your skills, and your passion are exactly what our movement needs.

Joining is easy. Just fill out a short application, and our team will reach out to connect and help you get started!

JOIN OUR HERD

Thank you for standing with us — and with them.

Team AWHC

How Climate Change Is Impacting Wild Herds

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

As the climate shifts, so do the challenges facing wild horses and burros on our public lands. From dwindling habitat, and changes on our public lands, these iconic herds are adapting to a landscape that’s rapidly changing.

https://prod.cdn.everyaction.com/images/van/EA/EA002/1/67303/images/awhc-yasmin.jpeg

Photo Credit: Yasmin Tajik

Here are a few examples of how our evolving world climate impacts daily life on the range: 

  • Unpredictable Weather Patterns: More frequent droughts and extreme storms are disrupting natural rhythms.
  • Shifting Vegetation: Climate-driven changes in plant growth are altering grazing patterns.
  • Habitat Fragmentation: Climate stress is compounded by loss of habitat to private interests like livestock grazing, which fractures and isolates herds and threatens their genetic diversity.

Despite these challenges, wild horses and burros can be powerful allies in ecosystem resilience. Their grazing habits help reduce wildfire fuel loads, their movement spreads native plant seeds, they can uncover water sources, and their presence supports a natural balance on the range.

Through science-backed, climate-informed strategies and a strong defense of their habitats, we’re building a future where wild herds remain wild, free, and ecologically vital.

Read More About Our Climate Commitment

Our land conservancy project is an example of how our team remains actively engaged in projects aimed at restoring habitats for wild horses and burros. We’re improving water sources, planting native vegetation, and stewarding the land to keep wild herds safe, healthy, and living in ecological balance with other wildlife.

As always, thank you for standing with us — and for following along with our work to conserve and protect America’s wild herds.

American Wild Horse Conservation

The calm before the cruelty…

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Right now, the wild landscape is full of new life as foals are born and taking their first steps on our vast public lands. Unfortunately, this peace won’t last long.

Photo Credit: © PhotoAdvocacy

In just three months, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will launch its summer assault on our wild herds — with helicopters set to descend on unsuspecting wild horses, burros, and their foals across the West.

This summer alone, thousands of horses and burros are slated for capture and permanent removal from their homes. By October of this year, the BLM will have rounded up nearly 11,000 wild horses and burros. The majority of the roundups will deploy helicopters, despite the trauma and loss they inflict on wild families.

That’s why AWHC’s Observation Fund needs your urgent support. Our team is preparing now to send photographers and videographers to the first roundups of the season — to document, expose, and advocate against these cruel operations.

FUEL OUR OBSERVATION FUND

Without public eyes on the ground, these helicopter roundups happen in some of the most remote parts of the West — far from scrutiny and accountability. Our observers often stand alone, bearing witness to cruelty that would otherwise go unseen.

Photo Credit: © PhotoAdvocacy

And yet, in the past year, our documentation has moved mountains — drawing national press coverage, prompting bipartisan action in Congress, and mobilizing over 100,000 advocates to demand a ban on dangerous helicopter roundups.

We cannot stop now.

The first major helicopter operation after the foaling season will be in the Wyoming Checkerboard. AWHC has been litigating against the BLM’s actions in Wyoming for 10 years and we’re currently awaiting a critical 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to decide the fate of these horses.

3,624 wild horses will lose freedom forever.
Untold numbers will be injured or die in the process.

Will you make a gift today to power our observation efforts before the helicopters return?

CHIP IN TO PROTECT OUR WILD FOALS

This is our window to act. With your help, we’ll be ready.

In solidarity,

American Wild Horse Conservation

The surprising ways wild horses shape the land

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

As we continue our Earth Month celebrations, today, we want to highlight how wild horses and burros play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting the biodiversity that keeps our planet in balance!

Photo by Tandin Chapman

Here are just a few of the ways they make a difference: 

Vegetation Management
Through their natural grazing behavior, wild horses help manage plant overgrowth, keeping grasslands healthy and balanced. Unlike livestock, they can consume dry, low-nutrient vegetation, such as cheatgrass, that could otherwise act as dangerous fuel for wildfires.

Supporting Soil Health
As they travel across the terrain, wild horses help aerate the soil, which promotes plant growth and nutrient cycling. By digesting and breaking down slow-decomposing plant matter, they also encourage carbon storage in the soil—making them an important ally in combating climate change!

Water Resource Impact
In dry environments, wild burros have been shown to increase water availability. They often uncover underground water sources that become critical for other wildlife as well, boosting the ecosystem’s resilience in the face of drought and desertification.

Promoting Biodiversity
By opening up dense landscapes and preserving water access, wild horses and burros help create and maintain habitats for other species. Their role in the restoration of ecosystems with large herbivores is gaining recognition as a key part of global conservation efforts.

Wild horses are more than just a symbol of the West—they’re active participants in the stewardship of its environment. In honor of Earth month, we hope you’ll join us in raising awareness about the ecological benefits of keeping these majestic animals wild and free.

Please share this email with your friends and family to spread the word about all the great ways our wild herds are helping to protect our planet!

Thank you,

Team AWHC

The Looming Fight to Save Wyoming’s Rare Curly Mustangs

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Wyoming’s Checkerboard is home to something truly extraordinary: wild curly-haired mustangs, a rare and mysterious lineage of horses with thick, curly coats, manes, and tails. Roaming in the Salt Wells Creek and White Mountain Herd Managment Areas (HMAs), their origins remain a scientific curiosity and a wild legacy they still carry.


Photo by Carol Walker

But this living piece of history is now at risk of disappearing forever.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to slash the population of the iconic Adobe Town herd, and even worse, completely eradicate the Great Divide Basin and Salt Wells Creek HMAs. If this plan moves forward, every last horse in those HMAs faces removal and lifetime confinement.


Photo by Carol Walker

Worse still, this initiative isn’t about what’s best for the land — it’s about livestock.

The BLM’s population limits are based on allocating 91% of available forage in these areas to private cattle and sheep, leaving almost no room for wild horses to coexist.

We are now in a critical moment. The future of these herds — and the survival of the curly mustangs’ unique genetic legacy — hinges on AWHC’s ongoing legal battle for their freedom and public outcry.

Here are a few things you can do right now:
Learn more about this critical issue. Here’s a great article to get started!
Share this email with others who care.
Follow American Wild Horse Conservation (@freewildhorses on Instagram, X and Facebook) for more updates on how to take action for our cherished wild herds.

Together, we can speak up for the Wyoming Curlies — and ensure these rare horses remain wild and free for generations to come.

Read More via Cowboy State Daily →

Thank you, as always, for your support of American wild horses and burros!

Stay wild,

Team AWHC

6 years. 0 helicopter roundups. Lives saved.

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Six years ago today, American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) relaunched the world’s largest humane fertility control program for wild horses on Nevada’s Virginia Range!

Since then, our team, powered by an incredible group of volunteers and supporters like you, has been working tirelessly to protect wild horses with humane conservation solutions that keep wild horses wild!

So today, we’re celebrating what we’ve accomplished together:

67% reduction in the foaling rate in 2024 compared to 2020
2,692 individual mares treated
0 helicopter roundups
The Virginia Range wild horses still roam free on the range

All of this is possible thanks to PZP, a scientifically proven fertility control vaccine that is administered remotely. It’s safe, reversible, and doesn’t interfere with the horses’ natural behaviors or family bonds — allowing them to live wild, as nature intended.

This lifesaving program has changed countless lives — including Zinnia’s, the mare we told you about last week who’s stayed healthy and free on the range for years thanks to our fertility control program. Through stories like hers, we’re proving that there is a better way to manage wild horse populations.

We’re working to expand this humane model to more herds across the West. But we can’t do it without your support. Will you make a donation today in honor of 6 years of keeping wild horses wild on the Virginia Range?

DONATE NOW

Thank you for being part of this movement.

With gratitude,

American Wild Horse Conservation

This Earth Month, help protect wild horses and the planet they call home

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Many people know about Earth Day, but did you know that April is Earth Month?

Over the next few weeks, people around the world will be coming together to raise awareness about issues facing our planet and taking action to protect it. At American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), our contribution to this global effort starts right here at home by preserving America’s wildest landscapes and the iconic species who call them home.

According to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) own range data, much of the public land wild horses inhabit is in declining condition — not because of the horses, but due to livestock overgrazing, land mismanagement, and drought.

That’s why in 2023, we launched a bold initiative to deepen our conservation work: the Land Conservancy Project. This pioneering effort focuses on land acquisition, habitat restoration, and humane wild horse management, all with one goal: to preserve key habitats so wild horses and burros can live wild and free, in balance with other wildlife and the land.

POWER THE LAND TRUST

Foal roaming the Land Preserve – Photo by John T. Humphrey

But what does this look like in action?

In Nevada’s breathtaking Carson Valley, we acquired over 3,300 acres of prime habitat, now known as the Fish Springs Land Preserve — a safe haven for the federally protected Fish Springs wild horse herd, along with a rich diversity of native wildlife.

On this land, our dedicated team is:

  • Tracking wild horse movements to better understand their impact on the ecosystem
  • Restoring meadows, creeks, and springheads to support healthy soil and clean water
  • Reseeding native grasses to help wild horses and other species thrive
  • Using wildlife cameras to document peaceful coexistence between horses and local wildlife
  • And more

Through this vital work, AWHC is setting a new standard for wild horse conservation, proving that it’s possible to protect these animals while also healing and sustaining the land they depend on. That’s why in honor of Earth Month, we’re asking for your help to grow this vision.

Whether you give $10 or $100, your support fuels real, on-the-ground conservation that makes a lasting impact — for wild horses, for future generations, and for the planet we call home. Will you make a gift to help us build a future where wild horses, their fellow wildlife, and the land they inhabit can thrive together?

POWER THE LAND TRUST

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Shop Sustainably + Support Wild Herds… for just $1

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

We have exciting news:

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) has been selected as the beneficiary of Buffalo Exchange’s 2025 Earth Day $1 Sale on Saturday, April 19!

This incredible annual event is a unique way to shop sustainably while making a direct impact on wild horse and burro conservation.

Here’s how it works: On this special day, every Buffalo Exchange store nationwide (including outlets) will offer a specially curated selection of clothing for just $1 per item — and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to AWHC. The sale starts at the store’s opening hours and is cash only. The $1 items go quickly, so grab your cash and be sure to get there early in the day!

Your support will help us continue our critical work protecting and preserving American wild horses and burros on our public lands.

So mark your calendar, spread the word, and get ready to shop for a cause! Learn more here:

AWHC x Buffalo Exchange

Thank you for standing with us to protect America’s iconic wild horses and burros!

With gratitude,

American Wild Horse Conservation

Happy April Foal’s Day! Say hello to baby Neptune

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Happy April Foal’s Day!

We have some very special foal news to share with you this April Foal’s Day — please join us in welcoming Neptune, the newest addition to the wild herds of the Fish Springs Land Preserve in Nevada’s breathtaking Carson Valley!

Photo by JT Humphrey

Named after the god of water — and horses — Neptune also carries a deeper meaning. In astrology, Neptune represents compassion. And if there’s anything wild foals like Neptune need right now, it’s compassion and care.

Neptune was born free, on American Wild Horse Conservation’s Fish Springs Land Preserve, to a family herd that is safe — thanks in large part to supporters like you, our amazing partners at the Chantecaille Conservation Foundation, and the tireless work of wildlife photographer and land manager John T. Humphrey, whose love for these animals radiates through every photo he captures.

But not all foals are as lucky. Since 1971, wild horses and burros have lost over 22 million acres of their federally designated habitat. This heartbreaking loss is one of the biggest threats to their long-term survival. 

That’s why AWHC launched our Land Conservancy Project in 2023 — to permanently protect critical land near wild horse habitat, where wild horses roam freely in coexistence with the wildlife in the area.

Horses roaming the Fish Springs Preserve – JT Humphrey

POWER OUR LAND TRUST

Thanks to your support, our dedicated team is on the ground every day — tracking herds, restoring habitats, and learning how wild horses and local wildlife coexist on the land. Wildlife cameras and field data help us understand herd behavior and guide our conservation work, ensuring the land remains healthy for generations to come.

But we’re not stopping here.

In celebration of April Foal’s Day, will you help us expand this vision and protect more safe havens for wild foals like Neptune?

POWER OUR LAND TRUST

Thank you, and happy April Foal’s Day!

The AWHC Team

One wild mare’s narrow escape from a roundup

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

In 2022, a helicopter drove 36 wild horses toward a trap in Utah’s Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area.

Among them was a beautiful bay pinto mare named Venus.

As the horses were pushed closer and closer to the trap, a few made a last-second decision that changed their lives: they broke away — charging into the mountains, away from the sound of the helicopter and the threat of captivity.

Venus was one of them.

She and three others managed to escape, surviving the helicopter roundup that stole 638 other wild horses from the wild. These four were never captured. And today, Venus still roams free with her stallion, Sirius, and her 2024 foal.

Photo by Tandin Chapman

But her story isn’t just one of luck — it’s a testament to the possibility of a more humane future. AWHC is working to ensure helicopter roundups like the one Venus survived don’t happen again in the Cedar Mountain HMA. And now, we implement a fertility control program in the HMA — a science-based, non-invasive, and effective way to manage wild horses, including Venus, without helicopters or roundups.

This program is supported by a federal grant. But our other fertility control programs aren’t.

Right now, our flagship program in Nevada’s Virginia Range — the one that keeps Zinnia wild — relies entirely on people like you. And we need your help to keep it going.

We set a goal to raise $30,000 by midnight tonight, March 30th — enough to fund 1,000 PZP vaccines. Each one costs just $30. And each one is a lifeline. We’re just over halfway to our goal. Can you chip in to help us reach our goal and power this critical program?

$30 → HELPS 1 HORSE
$60 → HELPS 2 HORSES
$150 → HELPS 5 HORSES
$300 → HELPS 10 HORSES
DONATE ANOTHER AMOUNT →

Thank you.

Team AWHC

P.S. We’ve almost reached 100,000 signatures for our petition demanding the federal government halt helicopter roundups! If you haven’t already, can you take a moment to add your name now to help us reach this incredible milestone?

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