Nevada is home to the highest number of wild horses and burros in the nation, with over 40,000 of them roaming federally managed lands. These animals are protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, thanks to the efforts of “Wild Horse Annie,” Velma Johnston, who advocated for their protection after witnessing abuse in the 1950s.

Federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are responsible for managing the wild horse populations through roundups and adoption programs. However, controversy surrounds these methods, with concerns about the environmental impact of the horses on fragile desert ecosystems and the treatment of the animals during roundups and in holding facilities.

Advocacy groups have proposed alternative methods for population control, such as using PZP vaccines to make female horses infertile. Despite criticisms of the current practices, the BLM maintains that its methods are the most humane way to manage the wild horse populations and prevent overgrazing and environmental damage.