Wyoming is home to significant populations of wild horses, an integral part of the state’s expansive landscapes and rich heritage. These free-roaming equids embody the spirit of the American West, captivating many with their untamed beauty and offering a connection to the region’s wild character.
Where Wild Horses Roam
Wild horses in Wyoming can be found across nearly 5 million acres of federally protected land, designated as Herd Management Areas (HMAs). Prominent HMAs include McCullough Peaks near Cody, the expansive Red Desert complex (featuring areas like Adobe Town and White Mountain), and the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range near Lovell. These horses inhabit diverse landscapes, ranging from high desert and sagebrush steppe to rugged badlands, buttes, and sand dunes.
Population numbers vary by HMA. For instance, McCullough Peaks HMA, covering over 120,000 acres, has an estimated population of around 175 horses, though its appropriate management level (AML) is set between 70 and 140 animals. The vast Red Desert area hosts thousands of horses, representing a substantial portion of Wyoming’s total wild horse population, estimated at around 6,000 animals statewide. These horses are hardy, with muscular builds, and come in a wide array of coat colors, including bay, black, gray, palomino, and pinto. They live in social bands led by a dominant stallion, along with mares and their offspring.
How Wild Horses are Managed
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the primary agency responsible for managing wild horses in Wyoming, operating under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. This federal law mandates their protection and management on public lands. The BLM aims to maintain a healthy balance between wild horse populations and available rangeland resources.
Management methods include regular population monitoring and periodic gathers, or roundups, to control herd sizes. These remove excess horses from the range to prevent overpopulation and habitat degradation. Once gathered, horses are offered for adoption to the public through programs like those at the Wyoming State Honor Farm and the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. Fertility control programs, primarily using the PZP vaccine, are also employed to slow population growth.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
Wild horse populations in Wyoming face challenges, notably overpopulation, which often exceeds the rangeland’s capacity. While the appropriate management level for all HMAs in Wyoming is around 2,500 to 3,725 horses, the actual population is estimated closer to 6,000. This imbalance leads to competition for forage and water with native wildlife and permitted livestock. Overgrazing can result in habitat degradation.
Managing these herds incurs substantial costs for the BLM, including holding facilities and adoption programs. Conservation efforts include the continued use of fertility control agents like PZP to manage population growth. Non-profit organizations, such as the Wild Horse Preservation Society and the Wyoming Wild Horse Improvement Partnership, contribute through sanctuary operations, supplemental feeding during harsh winters, and advocating for fertility control. Discussions about wild horse management involve differing perspectives among government agencies, land users, and advocacy groups, reflecting the complex balance between ecological health and animal welfare.
How to See Wild Horses
To observe wild horses in Wyoming, several areas offer viewing opportunities. The McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Herd Management Area, about 20 miles east of Cody, provides a chance to see mustangs. The Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop, accessible from Rock Springs or Green River, is a self-guided tour spanning 24 miles of gravel roads where wild horses are frequently seen. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, near Lovell, also offers viewing, with a visitor center providing information.
Ethical viewing practices ensure the well-being of horses and observer safety. Maintain a significant distance to avoid disturbing their natural behaviors. Approaching, feeding, or attempting to pet wild horses is discouraged, as it can habituate them to humans and lead to dangerous situations. Guided tours are available, such as those offered in McCullough Peaks and at the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary near Lander, providing responsible viewing experiences and insights into the horses’ behavior and ecosystem.