The management of wild horses is a complex issue that involves protecting horse welfare, sharing public lands, conserving landscapes, and managing budgets. To address the misinformation and passionate debate surrounding this topic, researchers and experts have created a series of short informational videos to provide a common understanding of basic ecology, law, and terminology related to wild horse management.

The videos cover topics such as how U.S. law protects wild horses, the difference between terms like “feral” and “free-roaming,” and why natural predators alone cannot control horse populations on public lands. With wild horse populations exceeding carrying capacity and resources being stretched thin, difficult decisions will need to be made to manage these herds sustainably. Public support and understanding are crucial in finding solutions to this complex issue.

The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have counted over 73,000 wild horses and burros on public lands, with more than 60 percent of the management budget going towards caring for animals in holding facilities. As herds continue to grow at unsustainable rates, it is clear that action needs to be taken to address the overpopulation of wild horses and ensure the preservation of delicate landscapes and resources.