Step I: UNDERSTAND WHAT’S HAPPENING
In the Western United States today, wild horses face relentless and inhumane roundups conducted by low-flying helicopters. These helicopters chase the horses for miles, driving them into crowded trap sites under harsh conditions. The roundups occur in sweltering heat and even while tiny newborn foals are present on the range. The toll is devastating—many horses do not survive these grueling pursuits.
Photo Courtesy of American Wild Horse Conservation
Wild horses, especially vulnerable foals and pregnant mares, are driven to the brink of exhaustion and death. Stallions, in their desperate bid to protect their families, risk severe injury, breaking legs or backs in their struggle to escape. No horse is truly safe during these helicopter roundups, which are widely condemned by the Wild Horse Freedom Federation (WBF) and numerous leading environmental and animal welfare organizations as cruel and inhumane.
Once captured, the horses are transported in large livestock trailers—a stark reminder that, despite being treated like property, wild horses are not livestock. We have witnessed the tragic scenes of horses being trampled or injuring themselves in their frantic attempts to escape these imposing metal boxes.
Upon arrival at temporary holding facilities, these horses are sorted and then moved to larger, often overcrowded holding pens. Here, they may spend their lives separated from their families, without space to run freely or adequate shelter from the elements. While some are adopted each year, the numbers are small compared to the scale of the roundups, and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) adoption events often misrepresent the harsh reality.
Photo Courtest of American Wild Horse Conservation
The BLM has the authority to euthanize horses deemed unhealthy or unadoptable. This includes “strike horses”—wild horses put up for adoption but failing to find homes. Horses with conditions like club feet or blindness, despite having survived well in the wild, are at risk. Moreover, the low adoption fees—sometimes as little as $25—make these horses vulnerable to unscrupulous "kill buyers," who exploit them and send them into the slaughter pipeline. This practice endangers thousands of our federally protected wild horses, turning a symbol of freedom into a victim of exploitation.
Photo credit to American Wild Horse Conservation.
STEP II: TAKE ACTION
Below are current actions you can take to help wild horses and burros.
PASS THE SAFE ACT
Tell your member of Congress to stop horse slaughter.
STEP III: TANGIBLE SUPPORT
sponsor
When you sponsor a wild horse or burro, not only are you helping us care for our rescued equines, but we are able to help more in need.
DONATE
Consider making a tax-deductible donation to MCR. Your support helps care for our wild herd, train young mustangs, and rescue more horses and burros in need.
SHOP
Shop apparel, accessories and other merchandise to support the care of the wild horses and burros at Montgomery Creek Ranch.
