Freedom for Wild Horses

What happens when the people shaping public lands policy are closely tied to the very industries competing with wild horses for those lands? In this episode, I look at the growing influence of grazing and extractive interests on public land policy, and why these changes could have serious consequences for America's wild horses. I explain how proposed grazing changes could reduce public oversight, weaken protections for land health, and prioritize livestock grazing above wildlife conservation. I also discuss the expanding sale authority program for wild horses, the increase in online sales and transport to states with nearby slaughter auctions, and why many advocates are deeply concerned about where these policies are heading. You'll hear why these developments matter right now, how Project 2025 connects to current policy changes, and what actions you can take to speak up for wild horses. I also outline why contacting senators and representatives is so important as Congress considers the fiscal year 2027 budget and ongoing public lands policies. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/68 If you'd like to know more about my book, "Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses," click here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/product/wild-hoofbeats-americas-vanishing-wild-horses

What is it like to visit the wild horses of Salt Wells Creek during a winter with almost no snow? In this episode, I share what I saw during my recent trip to this Wyoming range, where unusually dry conditions made travel easier but also raised concerns about the lack of moisture across the region. You'll hear about several of the families and bachelor stallions I observed during my time in the range, including familiar horses I have followed for years and new foals born outside the official foaling window defined by the Bureau of Land Management. This visit also highlights how wild horses organize themselves during winter, when survival takes priority and conflicts between stallions are often subdued. I reflect on the families I observed, the young horses growing within those bands, and why understanding the realities of wild horse life on the range matters when decisions are made about how they are managed. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/66 If you'd like to know more about my book, "Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses," click here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/product/wild-hoofbeats-americas-vanishing-wild-horses

What happens to wild horses once they are removed from public lands and placed in holding facilities? In this episode, I examine a new Bureau of Land Management policy that expands the use of sales as a way to reduce the number of wild horses in government care, raising serious concerns about oversight and protection. I'm joined by longtime wild horse advocate and Freedom of Information Act expert Debbie Coffey to explain what this policy change allows and why it matters. We discuss how increased reliance on sales, especially group sales, creates risks when transparency is limited and public access to information continues to decline. We also outline why advocates view this shift as a direct threat to wild horses belonging to the American public and what listeners can do in response. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/64 If you'd like to know more about my book, "Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses," click here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/product/wild-hoofbeats-americas-vanishing-wild-horses

Have you wondered what is happening with America's wild horses as 2025 comes to a close? In this episode, I share a clear look at where things stand today. After more than twenty years of observing these herds, the gap between what the law intended and how wild horses are managed has never felt more evident. I also break down the political forces shaping the future of these herds, including how appropriate management levels are set, what the most recent government funding does and does not protect, and why Project 2025 continues to cast uncertainty over the years ahead. In this moment of reflection, I return to why these horses matter and share an excerpt from my first book, Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses. This episode offers both an honest look at the challenges ahead and a reminder of what we are fighting to protect. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/62 If you'd like to know more about my book, "Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses," click here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/product/wild-hoofbeats-americas-vanishing-wild-horses

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to connect with wild horses? In this episode, I take you with me on my September journey through Salt Wells Creek and the Red Desert Complex in Wyoming. With the roundup postponed for another season, I was able to spend time among wild horse families who remain free, witnessing their strength, their relationships, and the quiet power that defines life in the high desert. Throughout this trip, I spent mornings watching families gather near water, stallions keeping watch over their bands, and bachelor groups moving together across the landscape. Their movements, their social bonds, and their ability to endure challenges are powerful reminders of what's at stake in keeping these herds wild. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/60

Have you ever wondered where the fight to save wild horses is headed? In this episode, I take you on a journey that began 21 years ago, when I first discovered that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was planning to remove most of the wild horses from Adobe Town, a herd I had grown to love. Through 22 roundups across five states, I've photographed and shared the painful reality of the BLM's actions. The recent 10th Circuit Court victory gave us hope, ruling that the BLM's plan to eliminate three Wyoming herds was illegal. But the fight is far from over. This week, our group filed a lawsuit that resulted in a victory: the BLM has delayed its scheduled roundup, temporarily protecting nearly 3,000 wild horses. Tune in to hear the actions that need to be taken to protect these wild horses and ensure their long-term survival on our public lands. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/58

What does it mean to win in court while wild horse roundups continue on the ground? In this episode, I share the emotional highs and lows of a pivotal week in the fight to protect Adobe Town's wild horses. Just as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in our favor—finding the BLM acted arbitrarily in its plan to zero out nearly 2 million acres of wild horse habitat—the helicopters were already in the air, continuing their work. I take you behind the scenes at the Adobe Town roundup. You'll hear what I witnessed on the range: stallions trying desperately to stay with their families, foals calling for their mothers, and the heartbreaking reality of horses who will likely never return to the wild. This episode is a reminder that while we've made progress in the courtroom, the struggle to protect these wild horses continues. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/56

What will the future hold for our wild horses with the prospect of Project 2025 looming over our country? The 2026 White House budget request represents an unprecedented threat, removing protections that have safeguarded wild horses from slaughter since 2017. Meanwhile, the BLM plans to eliminate entire herds in Wyoming, despite legal appeals still pending. Project 2025 calls for the "humane disposal" of these animals, and this budget appears to follow that path. With over 10,000 additional horses scheduled for removal before 2026, holding facilities will be overwhelmed, setting the stage for mass euthanasia behind closed doors. Now is the time to call your representatives and tell them wild horses must remain protected. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/54

Is the fate of America's wild horses at risk? Project 2025's proposal to "dispose humanely" of nearly 68,000 wild horses and burros in holding facilities has alarming implications. This isn't wildlife management—it's extinction. In this powerful episode, I talk with wild horse advocate and FOIA expert Debbie Coffey about the troubling consequences of Project 2025 for wild horses. The situation has grown more dire with recent changes at the Department of the Interior. This could lead to drastic cuts for wild horse programs and set the stage for mass killings. Now, more than ever, we need whistleblowers and public awareness to prevent a horrifying and inhumane slaughter. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/52

How would you feel if your tax dollars were being used to send wild horses to slaughter? In a landmark legal victory, wild horse advocates recently shut down a government program that was doing exactly that. The Bureau of Land Management's Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) was paying people $1,000 per horse to adopt untamed wild horses, with devastating consequences. I'm joined today by Suzanne Roy and Amelia Perrin of American Wild Horse Conservation, who led the investigation and legal challenge that brought down this harmful program. This victory not only saves countless horses from a terrible fate but also establishes an important precedent for wild horse protection going forward. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/50

Are you concerned about the future of America's wild horses? Despite the challenges ahead, I believe we must hold onto hope and keep fighting for their protection. In this episode, I share my thoughts on the current state of wild horses and what we can do to make a difference. I encourage you to express your love, determination, and commitment to saving wild horses. Let's look for opportunities to create change and build alliances with others who share your passion. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these majestic creatures. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/48

Curious about the Rock Springs Grazing Association and their influence over wild horses in Wyoming? This episode is for you. Join me and my friend, Debbie Coffey, as we dive into the ongoing lawsuit that wild horse and burro activists, including us, have filed against the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM. You'll learn how to support organizations like American Wild Horse Conservation that tirelessly defend these horses through legal action and public awareness. Your donation to their legal fund can significantly impact stopping the BLM's harmful policies and preserving wild horse herds across the western United States. Let's act now to protect these iconic creatures and their natural habitats. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/46

Have you ever wondered what wolves and wild horses have in common? Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West, a stunning film by Ashley Avis, is a breathtaking exploration of wild horses. Now, Ashley is turning her lens to wolves, revealing how their struggles echo those of wild horses. Ashley Avis, a screenwriter, producer, and director of four feature films, founded The Wild Beauty Foundation to spotlight critical issues affecting wild and domestic horses. Join us as we delve into the inspiration found in wild spaces, particularly in the majestic presence of wild horses and wolves. Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.wildhoofbeats.com/44