The term “wild horse” often refers to any equine living without human control, but a fundamental biological distinction exists between truly wild and feral populations. Truly wild horses were never domesticated, representing an unbroken lineage of ancient ancestry. In contrast, the vast majority of free-roaming horses today are considered feral, meaning they are the descendants of previously domesticated animals that have since returned to a wild state. This difference defines where these populations can be found around the world.
The World’s Only Truly Wild Horse
The only surviving subspecies of truly wild horse is Przewalski’s Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii). This animal, which Mongolians call the Takhi, is genetically distinct from domestic horses, possessing 33 pairs of chromosomes compared to the domestic horse’s 32 pairs. Przewalski’s Horse once ranged across the steppes of Central Asia, but competition with livestock and human activity led to its disappearance from the wild by the late 1960s.
Following a successful global captive breeding program, reintroduction efforts began in the 1990s to restore the Takhi to its native habitat. These efforts have primarily focused on Mongolia, specifically in sites like Hustai National Park and the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area. Smaller populations have also been re-established in parts of China and Kazakhstan. The success of these reintroductions means the species now maintains free-ranging populations in its ancestral range, making it the sole representative of the world’s wild horse lineage.
Feral Herds of North America
The most recognized feral horses are the Mustangs and Burros that roam the western United States. They are descendants of horses brought by Spanish explorers and colonists starting in the 16th century. These herds are concentrated on federal public lands, primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Their status is defined by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which declared them “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West” and granted them federal protection.
Management areas for these animals are located across ten western states. The largest populations are found in Nevada, which holds more than half of the total population, as well as Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, and California. The BLM must manage these populations to maintain an “Appropriate Management Level” (AML), which is the number of animals the land can sustain in balance with other resources and uses.
Because the horses reproduce rapidly (growing at an estimated rate of 18 to 20 percent annually), management involves periodic roundups and the use of fertility control vaccines to prevent overpopulation and range degradation.
The complex management issues surrounding the Mustangs and Burros often involve balancing conservation goals with the grazing needs of livestock and the health of the public rangelands. The Act mandates that the animals be protected, but also requires their removal when populations exceed the set AML. These removals often lead to large numbers of equines being kept in off-range holding facilities, consuming a significant portion of the program’s budget.
Major Free-Roaming Horse Populations Globally
Beyond North America, large feral populations exist across several continents, each facing unique environmental and legal challenges. Australia is home to the Australian Brumby, descendants of escaped European domestic horses, found in vast numbers across the country, particularly in the Australian Alps and the Northern Territory. Unlike the protected Mustangs, Brumbies are classified as an invasive species due to their negative impact on fragile native ecosystems, causing soil erosion and damaging native vegetation.
This classification means that Australian states often manage the Brumby population through strict control measures, including culling. However, the animals also hold a controversial cultural heritage value for many Australians.
In Africa, a small, isolated herd known as the Namib Desert Horse survives in the harsh, arid conditions of the Namib-Naukluft Park in Namibia. This herd likely descends from German military and breeding stock from the early 20th century. They have adapted remarkably to the desert environment, congregating around the few man-made water sources.
In Europe, the Camargue horse lives in a semi-feral state within the marshy Rhône delta region of southern France. While they roam freely in the wetlands, they are a registered breed and have a long history of being managed by local horsemen, known as gardians, for herding cattle. This arrangement means that while they appear wild, they are not truly unmanaged, demonstrating a unique intersection of heritage, culture, and free-roaming existence.