Determining the global population of wild horses is complicated by issues of definition and methodology. Arriving at a global number requires differentiating between two distinct types of free-roaming equids and aggregating data from localized, often controversial, counts across multiple continents. The total figure encompasses everything from reintroduced, genetically unique species to massive herds of animals whose ancestors were once domesticated. This complexity means that any global estimate is a highly variable aggregate, constantly fluctuating based on regional management strategies and environmental pressures.
Distinguishing Truly Wild and Feral Horses
For biologists, the term “wild horse” applies exclusively to species that have never been successfully domesticated by humans. Only one species fits this definition: the Przewalski’s Horse, also known as the Takhi, native to the steppes of Central Asia. This rare equid represents the sole surviving lineage whose ancestors were never part of the domestic horse gene pool. The distinction is based on evolutionary history, not simply whether the animal lives without human intervention.
Conversely, the vast majority of free-roaming horses are classified as “feral.” These are descendants of domesticated animals that escaped or were released and subsequently adapted to life in the wild. Examples include the American Mustang and the Australian Brumby. Though feral horses live outside the direct control of humans, their genetics link them back to domestic stock, separating them scientifically from the truly wild Przewalski’s Horse.
The Current Global Population Estimate
The global population of free-roaming horses is estimated to be in the high hundreds of thousands, with the overwhelming majority being feral. The Przewalski’s Horse population is measured in the thousands, while the feral population is orders of magnitude larger.
In the United States, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimated approximately 73,520 feral horses and burros were on public lands as of March 1, 2024. This count only includes animals on BLM-managed lands and excludes thousands more in other jurisdictions, such as an estimated 117,000 on Navajo Nation lands. The BLM also held an additional 64,382 animals in off-range corrals and pastures in early 2024, meaning the total population under federal management exceeds 137,000 individuals.
Australia, home to the Brumby, is believed to have the largest population of feral horses in the world, with national estimates historically approaching 400,000 animals. Aggregating these major regional populations, along with smaller herds across South America and Europe, suggests the global feral horse population likely exceeds half a million animals.
Regional Distribution and Counting Challenges
The largest concentrations of feral horses are found in the rangelands of the Western United States and the remote areas of Australia. In North America, the BLM uses aerial surveys, often conducted by helicopter, to count horses in designated Herd Management Areas (HMAs). The goal of these counts is to maintain the population at the Appropriate Management Level (AML), which is the number of animals the land can sustain in balance with other resources.
The accuracy of these surveys is a continuous challenge, however, as the immense size and rugged terrain of the HMAs make comprehensive counting difficult. Population growth rates in unmanaged feral herds can exceed 20% annually, which complicates efforts to maintain accurate estimates and control herd size through removals and fertility control vaccines.
In Australia, similar difficulties plague the counting of Brumbies, particularly in vast, remote areas like the Outback. In Kosciuszko National Park, a 2024 survey used precise distance sampling methods to estimate the population at approximately 2,793 horses. Distance sampling involves flying set transects and measuring the distance of observed horse clusters from the flight line to extrapolate a total population for the entire area.
The Unique Status of Przewalski’s Horse
Przewalski’s Horse, or Equus przewalskii, holds the unique distinction of being the world’s only truly wild horse species. This species was once declared extinct in the wild during the mid-20th century, surviving only in captive breeding programs established in zoos across the world. All living Przewalski’s Horses are descended from a very small number of founders, creating a significant genetic bottleneck.
Thanks to intensive international conservation efforts, successful reintroduction programs have been established in their native habitats in Mongolia and China. The global population of Przewalski’s Horses, including those in captivity and those living free, is now close to 2,000 individuals. China’s breeding and reintroduction centers have been particularly successful, with its population surpassing 900 individuals, representing roughly one-third of the global total.
The species’ conservation status has improved from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Endangered,” reflecting the success of these rewilding projects. These small, genetically distinct populations are managed with intense care, contrasting sharply with the management issues surrounding large feral horse populations.