An Exploration of the Untamed
As my work training horses began with gentling wild mustangs, I’ve created a space to share all about the wild horses who roam the Western United States.
The Wild Side is an exploration of the plight of American mustangs based in storytelling.
Part Archive of resources ranging from articles, current events, scholarship, and literature.
Part Community of individuals and organizations with their boots in the sage brush, and their eyes on the horses who remind us of our own wildness.
TWS is a space for those who like me, will spend the rest of their lives chasing wild horses. Those who know what Virginia Woolf wrote to be the truth: “Blame it or praise it, there is no denying the wild horse in us.”
A little backstory…
In 1971
The Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed
The legislation, which was passed unanimously by both houses of Congress, recognized wild horses as a federally protected species. Ironically though, since passing of the Act, public opinion has grown ever more divided about the “wild horse issue.”
50+ years later
A great debate continues to rage over how wild horses should be managed
The main federal agency tasked with their management, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), emphasize “gathers”, or “roundups”, which aim to remove overpopulated herds and transition them into private homes or off-range facilities.
73,000+ horses
Are estimated to roam on public lands nationwide today
According to the BLM, the Appropriate Management Level (AML), which would allow wild horses and burros to live in balance with the land and wildlife is approximately 27,000. This AML is criticized by activists as catering to private interests, as it was set at the time when the law was passed when populations were “fast-disappearing.”
60,000+ horses
Live in off-range holding facilities (unadopted or unsold)
Adoption demand has never met, nor exceeded the number of horses and burros removed from the range. More than 7,700 horses and burros were adopted in 2022, while 20,000+ were removed from the range. Unadopted or unsold animals are cared for by BLM for the remainder of their life at off-range facilities.
Countless more wild horses are still at-risk
As the number of rounded up horses & burros rises so does the risk of what comes next for them
As BLM strategically eliminates populations from the range, wild horses cross into the domestic world and are made adoptable through the Wild Horse and Burro Program (WHBP). While there is much outrage from activists over round ups which employ helicopters, there is no one-size-fits-all method of managing on-range populations which works for all HMAs or which all advocates can agree upon.
The controversy doesn’t end when the dust kicked up from the round ups has settled. Unadopted horses who are passed over three times are then given sale authority, which means that anyone can buy them for just $25. These horses are at high risk of going into the horse slaughter pipeline.
So the question is, not only how do we manage wild populations but how do we keep them safe in the human world?
+ Archive +
Learn about all things American mustangs at The Wild Side Archive. Start at the beginning to discover a map of Herd Management Areas (HMA’s), Wild Horse and Burro Territories (WHBT’s), and all of the places we can point to on a map where mustangs roam on-range.
Gain wisdom about wild horses by diving into topics ranging from on-range population management, the gentling process & humane training methods, current events happening in the wild horse world, and more.
+ Community +
A space for people who are wild about mustangs to connect, share, and learn. Members of The Wild Side Community can share posts and polls, organize virtual sessions, create events, and even follow other members and organizations with similar interests, missions, and backgrounds with mustangs.
A few benefits of membership:
Region-based groups to join and stay up to date on all the wild horse happenings in your area.
Posts and polls to start and expand on conversations with other members.
Events and virtual gatherings that allow for you to stay up to date in the wild horse community, as well as share your stories, ideas, and experiences.
A network of members with similar interests and backgrounds with mustangs.
Show Your Support
These resources and membership to The Wild Side Community is free for everyone. That said, it takes a whole lotta resources to maintain the community - capital, energy, time, and much love. If you are able to offer support, donations are much appreciated in sustaining this community for all! Make a donation today for good karma.