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One wild mare’s narrow escape from a roundup
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? ...
Your support helps us protect wild mares like Zinnia
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: Zinnia is a nearly 9-year-old wild mare who calls Nevada’s Virginia Range home. Strong, resilient, and wise, she’s lived her whole life roaming wild and free on the range. But in recent years, things have been changing around her. Residential development has started to eat away at the edges of her territory, pushing her and other wild horses further into the hills in search of safer ground. For a wild mare, these changes — on top of the strain of year-after-year pregnancies — can take a serious toll. But thanks to AWHC’s historic Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) fertility control program, which is powered by the generosity of supporters like you, Zinnia has been able to stay strong and healthy, without constantly having a foal by her side. She now lives peacefully roaming the open lands further east with her band — a stallion she’s been with since 2021 and two other mares. Their story, and the many others like it, are a testament that our PZP program works. Our work on the Virginia Range provides scientific evidence to the public that THERE IS a humane way to manage wild horses that doesn’t require mass roundups, crowded holding pens, or dangerous sterilization surgeries. Today, we’re asking for your help to keep it going. We’ve set a goal to raise $30,000 by March 30 — enough to fund 1,000 PZP vaccines. Each one costs $30 and helps keep one wild horse safe, wild, and free. Can you chip in to support this lifesaving program so we can protect more horses like Zennia? $30 → HELPS 1 HORSE $60 → HELPS 2 HORSES $150 → HELPS 5 HORSES $300 → HELPS 10 HORSES DONATE ANOTHER AMOUNT → The success of our PZP program in Nevada has been critical in our fight to protect wild horses. And the continued operation of this program helps us to provide lawmakers, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the rest of the public with cold, hard, scientific evidence that supports the legitimacy and efficacy of this humane conservation effort. Will you make a gift of $30 or more to fund our PZP program so we can continue managing wild horse populations using tried and true fertility control measures? DONATE TODAY → Thank you, Team AWHC P.S. We've almost reached 100,000 signatures for our petition demanding the federal ...
In this week’s eNews: Government Slaughter Pipeline Overturned!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: This month has brought big wins and big battles for wild horses! In this edition of e-news, we’re diving into the landmark court ruling that vacated the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program and what comes next. We’re also fighting to protect Wyoming’s wild herds in court. Plus, mark your calendars — shop sustainably and support wild horses at Buffalo Exchange’s Earth Day $1 sale! Read on for the latest updates and ways to take action. Watch: AWHC and Skydog Sanctuary Discuss the Overturning of the Adoption Incentive Program On March 19th, Amelia Perrin, from American Wild Horse Conservation and Clare Staples, founder of Skydog Sanctuary, joined together to discuss the recent court ruling that shut down the BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and our next steps in promoting responsible wild horse and burro adoptions. This webinar is not one you want to miss! Watch Now AWHC in Court for Wyoming’s Wild Horses On March 18th, AWHC’s attorney, Bill Eubanks of Eubanks and Associates, went head-to-head with lawyers representing the federal government, the State of Wyoming, and the livestock industry at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The case challenges the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) decision to eliminate two million acres of wild horse habitat and wipe out the iconic Salt Wells Creek and Great Divide Basin herds. Read more about the arguments! Read More Shop for Wild Horses on April 19th, 2025 AWHC is excited to be the beneficiary of Buffalo Exchange’s 2025 Earth Day $1 Sale on April 19th, 2025! On this day, at all Buffalo Exchange stores, ALL proceeds from a special selection of $1 clothing will go to AWHC to support our mission of conserving America’s wild horses and burros! So save the date and go shopping to protect wild horses. Read More Thank you for standing with wild horses, Team AWHC ...
Spring in the wild
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: As the winter snows melt away, wild horses across the West are experiencing one of the most dynamic times of the year—spring! This season brings these iconic animals new life, shifting social dynamics, and fierce competition. Mares who have carried their foals through the harsh winter finally welcome their newborns. Within just an hour of birth, these tiny but resilient foals are on their feet, ready to keep up with their bands and begin their journey in the wild. Stallions feel the change, too. With the foaling season comes heightened competition—males battle for dominance, engaging in dramatic displays of strength to protect or expand their families. Meanwhile, young bachelors test their skills, preparing for the day they might lead bands of their own. Photo by Tandin Chapman And with fresh forage emerging, wild horses roam farther, grazing on the new vegetation that restores their strength after surviving the winter’s hardships. Spring is truly a season of renewal for these iconic animals! But the challenges they face don’t fade with winter, Meredith. While government roundups are paused until July to allow foals to be born, the threats they face are everlooming. That’s why we fight every day to protect wild horses and burros on the public lands they call home. Your support helps ensure that foals born this spring grow up wild and free. Will you make a gift today to support our work to protect them? DONATE NOW Thank you for standing with wild horses in every season. With gratitude, American Wild Horse Conservation ...
Exclusive Webinar: Landmark Court Ruling & The Future of Wild Horse Adoptions
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign: We invite you to join us for an important webinar discussing the recent court ruling that shut down the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and our next steps in promoting responsible wild horse and burro adoptions. Date: Wednesday March 19th Time: 2 PM PST Location: RSVP for the webinar link This decision is a major victory in our fight to protect wild horses and burros, but with 66,000 animals still in government holding facilities, we must now focus on ensuring adoptions are ethical, transparent, and humane. Featured Speakers: Amelia Perrin, AWHC – Led the investigation that exposed the link between the AIP and the slaughter pipeline, culminating in a New York Times front-page exposé and congressional outrage. Clare Staples, Skydog Sanctuary – Has rescued hundreds of AIP horses and burros from kill pens, saving lives while gathering critical documentation that played a key role in shutting down the program. Together, we’ll explore solutions—including replacing cash incentives with more responsible approaches like veterinary vouchers—and discuss how we can prevent future policies that put wild horses and burros at risk. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and be part of the movement shaping the future of wild horse and burro protection. RSVP NOW Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there! Team AWHC ...