While Missouri does not host populations of federally protected wild horses, or mustangs, like those found across the Western United States, the state is home to a distinct group of free-roaming equines. These animals are descendants of domesticated horses and live without direct human control within a specific region of the Ozarks. The presence of these horses has led to unique legal and conservation efforts to ensure their continued existence.
Defining “Wild” Versus Free-Roaming
The term “wild horse” in the U.S. generally refers to populations managed under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which applies to unbranded, unclaimed animals on federal public lands in the West. These groups are primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. Missouri’s equines do not meet this federal classification because they trace their lineage back to domesticated stock, making them technically “feral” or “free-roaming” animals. The ancestors of these Missouri horses were likely turned loose by local farmers during the economic hardships of the Great Depression.
Despite their feral classification, the Missouri herd gained a special legal status after a local controversy over their potential removal from federal land in the early 1990s. Congress intervened, and a 1996 law was signed that specifically protected the free-roaming horses within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This act prohibited their removal and established them as a permanent fixture of the area, differentiating their legal standing from typical stray livestock. They are considered a unique, protected population.
Key Locations of Missouri’s Herds
The entire population of Missouri’s free-roaming equines resides exclusively within the boundaries of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a protected area in the southeastern part of the state. Specifically, the horses inhabit the rugged, river-laced landscape of Shannon County, particularly near the town of Eminence. This region encompasses the valleys of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, providing the necessary open fields and wooded areas for the horses to forage and live without confinement.
The horses are generally organized into four distinct groups, often named for the specific locations where they frequent the most, which helps with monitoring and identification. The total population is purposefully maintained at around 50 animals to balance their well-being with the ecological health of the riverways ecosystem.
The four known groups are:
- The Round Spring herd, typically found near the Round Spring campground.
- The Shawnee Creek herd, often the most visible, frequently grazing near the National Park Service campground and along Highway V.
- The Broadfoot herd, known to graze in open fields along the Current River north of Eminence.
- The Rocky Creek herd, generally the most elusive, occupying a heavily wooded range.
Management and Oversight of Free-Roaming Equines
The management of Missouri’s free-roaming equines is a cooperative effort that involves the National Park Service (NPS) and the Missouri Wild Horse League (MWHL), a private conservation organization. The MWHL was formed in 1992 by citizens dedicated to protecting the horses after the initial threat of removal by federal officials. Their primary responsibility is to maintain the health and population size of the herds, which are capped at 50 animals under an agreement with the NPS.
The MWHL actively monitors the herds, providing veterinary care and health assessments, which includes deworming and administering Coggins tests for equine infectious anemia. The organization is tasked with population control to prevent overgrazing and maintain the ecological balance of the riverways. This involves carefully managing the number of breeding stallions and utilizing adoption programs when the population limit is approached.
When the herd size exceeds the mandated limit, excess horses, particularly foals, are captured and offered for adoption to qualified private owners. This strategy ensures the genetic diversity and long-term health of the remaining free-roaming population while adhering to the agreed-upon quota. The management plan also includes maintaining and restoring pasture fields to provide adequate forage and reduce the environmental impact of the horses on the federal land.