wild horses

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The President’s FY26 Congressional budget request threatens to strip critical protections for wild horses. If enacted fully, this proposal opens the gates for lethal management and a death sentence for tens of thousands of wild horses.

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Right now, Congress is considering a budget proposal that could open the door to slaughter for tens of thousands of America’s wild horses and burros.

We’ve faced this before in the last Trump Administration. And we won. 

We pulled out all the stops, including launching a hard-hitting national commercial. It showed lawmakers, and the American public exactly what was at stake: the betrayal of our iconic wild horses and the cruelty of mass slaughter. Watch this commerical below and help fuel our fight

The public pressure worked. The previous administration reversed course and removed lethal management from the table.

Now, we need your help to do it again. We’re gearing up to fight back on Capitol Hill, in the courts, and in the public arena even harder this time.

HELP US FIGHT SLAUGHTER

Every dollar helps us keep wild horses safe from the slaughter pipeline. The clock is ticking—please give what you can today.

—The AWHC Team

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

America’s wild horses and burros are facing an existential threat. The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request to Congress would strip away longstanding protections and could open the door to slaughtering up to 62,000 federally protected animals currently in government holding.

We can’t let that happen.

Join us on Wednesday July 2, 2025 for a critical public webinar hosted by American Wild Horse Conservation, where we’ll break down:

• What the federal budget proposal really means
• Why the risk of slaughter is higher than it’s been in years
• What’s at stake for the future of wild horses and burros
• How we’re fighting back in Congress, the courts, and on the ground
• The actions you can take right now to make a difference

Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Time: 3 pm PST/ 6 pm EST
Location: Zoom (registration required)

You’ll hear directly from our team about how we’re working to keep these iconic animals wild and free and not in federal holding facilities, at risk of slaughter.

REGISTER HERE

This is more than a webinar, it’s a call to action. Together, we can make sure America’s wild horses remain wild and free.

We hope to see you there,

Team AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

In less than one month, helicopters will descend on our public lands, chasing terrified wild horses and burros for miles in the blazing summer heat. Foals will be separated from their mothers. Older horses will fall behind. And once captured, these iconic animals face a future behind bars, or worse.

The stakes have never been higher. If the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request to Congress is included in the final spending bill, it could lift the long-standing ban on wild horse slaughter, opening the door for the mass disposal of up to 64,000 horses and burros currently in holding.

But we’re not standing by—we’re fighting back.

DONATE NOW

At American Wild Horse Conservation, we’re mobilizing every tool we have. We’re engaged in legal challenges to stop inhumane policies. We’re showing Congress that America’s wild horses protected, not slaughtered. And we’re expanding humane, science-based solutions, like fertility control, to keep wild horses where they belong: wild and free. Will you take a moment to fuel our fight? 

RUSH A DONATION

We’ve stopped slaughter before. But we need your help to do it again—and fast.

 Together, we are stronger and we can fight back.

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Proposal, released by the Trump Administration, would remove protections against wild horse slaughter and open the floodgates for up to 64,000 wild horses and burros in government holding to be shipped across our borders and slaughtered for foreign markets.

These are America’s wild horses. They are symbols of freedom, independence and the untamed spirit of the American West.

The President’s budget  proposal is now with Congress, which holds the purse strings and will pass the legislation needed to fund the government in Fiscal year 2026.

The threat that congress will enact the budget request to lift the slaughter ban has never been higher. We need to act fast.

TAKE ACTION

Now is the time to weigh in with both the White House and Congress to stop them from authorizing the mass slaughter of our federally-protected wild horses and burros.

The budget proposal doesn’t just remove the slaughter ban. It would allow unlimited transfers of wild horses to private individuals, nonprofits, and even foreign governments, without any safeguards for their wellbeing.

That’s a pipeline to slaughter, plain and simple.

80% of Americans oppose slaughter.
86% of Trump voters support protecting wild horses from slaughter.

Let’s show the White House and Congress the true will of the American public

We’ve stopped slaughter before. We will do so again but only if we raise our voices now.

Join us in demanding the administration and congress maintain the longstanding slaughter ban before it’s too late.

SIGN THE PETITION

For the wild ones,

Team AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The Trump Administration’s recently-released Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget proposal slashes funding for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program by 25% and removes longstanding prohibition on wild horse slaughter putting up to 64,000 wild horses and burros at risk.

Even worse, new language allows unlimited transfers of wild horses to individuals, nonprofits, and even foreign governments, with no safeguards in place.

Make no mistake: This is a direct threat to the freedom and survival of America’s wild herds. Can you rush a donation now to help us fight back?

DONATE NOW

This isn’t just wrong, it’s deeply out of step with public values. Polling shows 80% of Americans, including 86% of Trump voters, support the slaughter ban.

The proposed budget echoes the extreme Project 2025 agenda, which calls for the BLM to “dispose” of wild horses, and completely reverses the previous Trump Administration’s rejection of lethal management options.

This is the most serious threat wild horses have faced in years – and we need your help.

RUSH A DONATION

Now the fight turns to Congress as it considers the FY26 final government budget. Our team is on Capitol Hill fighting for the lives of our wild herds. Your donation today powers our work in Washington, in court, and on the range.

Together, we are stronger and we can fight back.

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy, executive director of AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Everyone in Nevada’s Virginia Range has a Two Socks story.

Two Socks is more than just a wild stallion. He’s part of the legacy left by Wild Horse Annie, the legendary advocate whose tireless work helped protect these very horses decades ago. Two Socks’ story reflects the deep bonds, fierce loyalty, and generational strength that define them.

For years, Two Socks roamed with his companion, affectionately called “Grandpa,” who helped him defend his band. Even one of his mares, nicknamed “Meany Momma,” joined the fight when needed. Together, they protected a family that remained united for more than a decade.

Now older, Two Socks has passed leadership to his lieutenant, Trident, the son of Pinkie, and Bodie Braveheart. In a twist of fate, Bodie was once Two Socks’ rival, their battles more about strength and respect than harm.

Today, Two Socks is a bachelor again. But recently, his son Randal spotted him across a field. The two reunited briefly, playfully wrestling before going their separate ways.

Stories like this remind us that these are not just horses, they’re living history. Wild Horse Annie’s horses still roam the Virginia Range. And it’s up to us to keep them wild.

That’s why our team is on the ground every day, implementing a humane fertility control program to keep horses like Two Socks and his family on the range where they belong. It’s a proven, cost-effective solution that ensures these stories continue for generations to come.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE MUSTANGS

Thank you for standing with us and with the Virginia Range horses

Team AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

The Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 26 budget proposal could mean slaughter for wild horses.

If enacted fully, it would cut funding for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program by 25% and remove the ban on lethal management and commerical slaughter.

This means up to 64,000 wild horses and burros currently in holding could be shipped to slaughter across U.S. borders.

Even worse, new language would allow unlimited transfers of wild horses to individuals, nonprofits, and even foreign governments with no safeguards in place. This would open a backdoor to slaughter of our iconic wild herds.

TAKE ACTION NOW

But it’s not too late. Now, the fight turns to Congress as it considers final appropriations legislation to fund the federal government in FY26.

This means we have a chance to ensure that the longstanding prohibition on wild horse slaughter makes it into the final bill. But your representatives and senators need to hear from you. Call on your members of Congress right now to ensure they advocate for the conservation of wild horses, not their slaughter. 

TAKE ACTION

At AWHC, we know there’s a better way. We’re calling on Congress to:

• Maintain the longstanding wild horse slaughter ban
• Expand humane, in-the-wild solutions like fertility control
• End the failed roundup-and-holding system

The proposed budget carries out the Project 2025 agenda, which calls for the BLM to “dispose” of wild horses, completely reversing the Trump Administration’s previous 2019 rejection of lethal management.

We’ve been here before and together, through the power of your advocacy, we kept slaughter off the table. We can do that again. Take action now and save our wild herds from the brutal fate of slaughter.

TAKE ACTION

We’re already fighting back and we won’t stop. Thank you for standing with us,

Team AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

Here at American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC), our mission is to protect America’s wild horses and burros, ensuring their freedom and safeguarding their future on our public lands.

Photo by Tandin Chapman

One of our most impactful initiatives is our PZP fertility control program. PZP is a scientifically-proven fertility control vaccine given to female horses on the range via remote darting. It’s administered in a two shot process — the first is a primer, which is then followed by a booster approximately two weeks later. The vaccine prevents fertilization and pregnancy via an immune response that does not affect the horse’s hormonal system — all for just $30 per dose.

Our humane fertility control program is one of the largest and most successful of its kind in the world. We are also proud to partner with the federal government to implement fertility control on the Cedar Mountain herd in Utah — an inspiring example of collaboration and how fertility control can work at scale.

While a federal grant covered a substantial portion of this program, we recently learned the grant will not be renewed. And now we need your help to keep our programs fully funded and keep the Cedar Mountain wild horses wild.

POWER OUR PZP PROGRAM

Your gift today will help us:

• Deliver safe, effective fertility control to wild mares through remote darting
• Support trained field teams who track, execute, and document these efforts
• Keep wild horses in the wild, where they belong

This work is only possible because of the continued support of people like you. A gift of just $30 today can save a life tomorrow. Will you make a donation today to help us continue our PZP program?

DONATE NOW

Thank you,

Team AWHC

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation:

This month, the tide is turning in the fight to protect wild horses and burros across the American West, and it’s all thanks to advocates like you.

Protect Wild Horses and Burros in the Blue Wing Complex

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) just released a plan for the Blue Wing Complex that continues cruel helicopter roundups and expands off-range holding. Even after documented abuse and mass burro deaths, the agency is pushing forward with business as usual.

Now’s your chance to demand change. Urge the BLM to prioritize humane, science-based solutions, like fertility control, and phase out helicopter roundups.

Submit Your Comments

RECORD Congressional Support for Humane Reform

A record-setting 83 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives and 17 senators have signed on to letters urging the BLM to move away from cruel and costly helicopter roundups and adopt humane, science-based management alternatives. This marks the strongest showing of support for wild horse reform in U.S. history.

Read the Full Story

Wild Horse Caucus Officially Launches in Congress

In another landmark development, the first-ever Congressional Wild Horse and Burro Caucus has been formed. This new bipartisan group is dedicated to protecting America’s iconic mustangs and burros through legislative action, oversight, and public education. Help grow the momentum!

Urge Your Members of Congress to Join the Caucus

A Big Step Forward For Colorado’s Wild Horses

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed HB25-1283, a new law that invests in humane, on-range management of wild horses. The bill establishes a Wild Horse Program and Advisory Committee within the state’s Department of Agriculture and funds a professional darting team to support fertility control efforts.

The law reflects growing support for collaborative, science-based approaches to wild horse management.

Read More About the New Legislation

Burro Awareness Month Wraps Up But The Fight Continues

As May comes to a close, so does Burro Awareness Month, but the need to protect these gentle, misunderstood animals is urgent year-round.  Wild burros are facing increased threats from helicopter roundups, shrinking habitats, and genetic fragmentation. We must act now to ensure their survival.

Take Action for Wild Burros Today

Your voice is making a difference. With every petition signed, every action taken, and every lawmaker reached, we are rewriting the future for America’s wild horses and burros.

Team AWHC

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!

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