Wild horses news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
BLM sold 3,700 wild horses in 2025, double past years, some to slaughter.
Protected mustangs may be ending up in Canadian slaughter plants.
Background
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages wild horses on public lands, but overpopulation has led to roundups and sales. A New York Times investigation found that in 2025, the number of wild horses sold more than doubled to 3,700, with some sold to buyers like Ohio trader Brandon Jones for as little as $25 each. These horses were then allegedly resold and exported to Canada, where slaughter is legal, despite a U.S. ban on horse slaughter since 2007. The BLM denies selling horses for slaughter and says it takes allegations of violations seriously.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2026The government sold a group of wild horses from an Idaho feed lot to a buyer, raising concerns about their fate.
- Aug 5, 2026BLM conducted a helicopter roundup in Colorado's Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area, gathering over 700 horses by Aug 17.
- Aug 20, 2026The New York Times published an investigation revealing that BLM sold 3,700 wild horses in 2025, more than double previous years, with some ending up in slaughter plants in Canada.
- Aug 21, 2026BLM shipped 626 wild horses to a Wyoming holding facility; five horses died during the gather.
- Aug 22, 2026Advocacy groups and news outlets reacted, with Skydog Ranch demanding a shutdown of BLM wild-horse sales.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- BLM stated it does not sell or send wild horses to slaughter and takes allegations of violations seriously, with potential criminal penalties.
- Advocates
- Horse advocates like Suzanne Roy and Skydog Ranch claim the NYT investigation proves mustangs are being funneled to slaughter, demanding an immediate halt to sales.
- Rescue
- Wild Horse Rescue Center founder Diane Delano notes that once horses leave federal control, they lose protection, allowing them to end up in kill pens.
Still unverified
The specific claim that BLM knowingly sold horses to slaughter is based on a New York Times investigation and advocacy group allegations; BLM denies this. The exact number of horses that ended up in slaughter plants is not confirmed.