Populations of free-roaming horses exist across Canada, representing a unique intersection of natural history and human settlement. These herds are concentrated primarily in the western provinces, with one notable exception in the east. The animals live without direct human supervision, having adapted to diverse environments ranging from isolated offshore sandbars to the rugged foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Their presence creates complex conservation and management challenges regarding their status and the ecological health of the regions they inhabit.
Defining the Term Wild Horse
A clear distinction exists between a truly “wild” horse and the free-roaming horses found in Canada. The term “wild” refers to a species that has never been domesticated. The original wild horses, which evolved in North America, became extinct on the continent approximately 8,000 to 10,000 years ago, meaning no native lineage remains in Canada.
The horses currently roaming Canadian landscapes are classified by scientists and government bodies as “feral”—a domesticated species that has returned to a wild state, surviving and breeding independently of human control. These animals are descendants of horses brought to North America by European and Spanish explorers starting in the 16th century, having escaped or been intentionally released from operations like ranching, logging, and military use to establish self-sustaining populations.
Key Wild Horse Populations Across Canada
The most recognized and geographically isolated population is the Sable Island horse, found on a sandbar approximately 190 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Descending from horses introduced in the 18th century, these stocky animals have existed on the island for over 250 years. The limited food sources and harsh environment have resulted in a smaller stature, with adults generally standing between 13 and 14 hands high.
The largest concentration of free-roaming horses is found in Alberta along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, within six designated equine management zones. Key areas include the Ghost River and Sundre zones, where the total minimum count exceeds 1,400 animals. These herds are descendants of working horses from early 20th-century logging and guiding operations.
Smaller herds are scattered across British Columbia and the Yukon, primarily in remote interior and northern regions. The Chilcotin region of British Columbia is home to free-roaming horses, with estimates ranging from 800 to 1,200 animals. These western herds generally live in forested areas and originated from the horses of First Nations, ranchers, and outfitters.
Management and Conservation Status
The legal and management status of free-roaming horses varies significantly across Canada, reflecting their different histories and provincial jurisdictions. The Sable Island horses are unique: they are federally protected as a naturalized species under the Canada National Parks Act. Since the island became a National Park Reserve in 2013, the herd has remained unmanaged, meaning Parks Canada does not interfere with their population dynamics or breeding.
In Alberta, the provincial government uses a Feral Horse Management Framework to regulate the animals. They are legally classified as “estray animals” under the Stray Animals Act, which treats them as livestock, not protected wildlife, allowing for active population control. Management strategies include aerial minimum counts conducted using helicopters in the six equine management zones to determine population thresholds.
When population numbers exceed set thresholds, the province issues capture permits to private groups, such as the Wild Horses of Alberta Society, to remove horses. Captured horses are then placed into adoption programs to prevent slaughter. This approach attempts to balance cultural heritage appreciation with concerns over the horses’ impact on rangelands and competition with native wildlife.
British Columbia’s approach is more localized, and the herds are often managed for range purposes. Some local populations have received specific protection, such as the herd protected by the Tsilhqot’in First Nation government at the Elegasi Qayus Wild Horse Preserve in the Brittany Triangle. Because free-roaming horses lack federal protection due to their status as introduced foreign animals, management decisions remain complex and provincially mandated.