A contractor’s helicopter pursues wild horses near the trap site on the Red Desert Complex in Wyoming on Oct. 10, 2020. Photo by Meg Frederick.
Take Action
Support safe, proven and humane fertility control that can end wild horse roundups: Send a letter to Congress.
For background information about this roundup and to take action, see below.
February 9, 2024
The roundup ended with 75 wild horses being shipped. None were captured or killed. In all, 2,692 wild horses were captured and 26 killed over 41 days.
February 8, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 58 wild horses on Thursday, the 40th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 28 stallions, 24 mares and six foals brought the total captured to 2,692, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Thursday. A total of 26 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, four as a direct result of the roundup and 22 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 7, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 80 wild horses on Wednesday, the 39th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 27 stallions, 41 mares and 12 foals brought the total captured to 2,634, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Wednesday. A total of 26 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, four as a direct result of the roundup and 22 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 6, 2024
No operations were conducted today because of weather.
February 5, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured seven wild horses on Monday, the 37th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The five stallions and two mares brought the total captured to 2,554, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Monday. A total of 26 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, four as a direct result of the roundup and 22 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 4, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 84 wild horses on Sunday, the 36th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 28 stallions, 35 mares and 21 foals brought the total captured to 2,547, according to the BLM’s gather report.
One wild horse was killed on Sunday: A 20+-year-old sorrel stallion was put down for having a missing right eye. A total of 26 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, four as a direct result of the roundup and 22 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 3, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 146 wild horses on Saturday, the 35th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 56 stallions, 69 mares and 21 foals brought the total captured to 2,463, according to the BLM’s gather report.
One wild horse was killed on Saturday: A 4-year-old sorrel mare was put down after suffering a fractured eye socket. A total of 25 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, four as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 2, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 71 wild horses on Friday, the 34th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 22 stallions, 42 mares and seven foals brought the total captured to 2,317, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses died on Friday. A total of 24 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
February 1, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 27 wild horses on Thursday, the 33rd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 12 stallions, 14 mares and one foal brought the total captured to 2,246, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses died on Thursday. A total of 24 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
January 31, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 57 wild horses on Wednesday, the 33rd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 57 stallions, 26 mares and 10 foals brought the total captured to 2,219, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses died on Wednesday. A total of 24 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 30, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 114 wild horses on Tuesday, the 32nd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 30 stallions, 57 mares and 27 foals brought the total captured to 2,162, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses died on Tuesday. A total of 24 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-4 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 29, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured seven wild horses on Monday, the 32nd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The three stallions and four mares brought the total captured to 2,048, according to the BLM’s gather report.
Three wild horses were put down on Monday: an 8-year-old grulla Stallion due to club foot, a 4-year-old dun mare due to swayback and a 9-year-old buckskin mare for “blind, missing left eye.” A total of 24 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 21 that have been put down for what BLM defined as pre-existing conditions.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 28, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 80 wild horses on Sunday, the 31st day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 38 stallions, 31 mares and 11 foals brought the total captured to 2,041, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses died on Sunday. A total of 21 have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 18 that have been put down for what the BLM defined as pre-existing conditions like being blind in one eye, club footed or swayback.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 27, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 19 wild horses on Saturday, the 30th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The seven stallions, 10 mares and two foals brought the total captured to 1,961, according to the BLM’s gather report.
A 20-year old sorrel stallion was put down due to severe arthritis in both front knees, according to the BLM, bringing the number of horses killed since the roundup began to 21.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 26, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 125 wild horses on Friday, the 29th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 49 stallions, 56 mares and 20 foals brought the total captured to 1,942, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No horses died on Friday A total of 20 have been killed since the roundup began.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 25, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 68 wild horses on Thursday, the 28th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 32 stallions, 29 mares and seven foals brought the total captured to 1,817, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No horses died on Thursday A total of 20 have been killed since the roundup began.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 24, 2024
No gather operations were conducted on Wednesday.
Jan. 23, 2024
No gather operations were conducted on Tuesday.
Jan. 22, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 78 wild horses on Monday, the 25th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 27 stallions, 37 mares and 14 foals brought the total captured to 1,749, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No horses died on Monday. A total of 20 have been killed since the roundup began.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 21, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 100 wild horses on Sunday, the 24th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 35 stallions, 49 mares and 16 foals brought the total captured to 1,671, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No horses died on Sunday. A total of 20 have been killed since the roundup began.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 20, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 42 wild horses on Saturday, the 23rd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 20 stallions, 19 mares and three foals brought the total captured to 1,571, according to the BLM’s gather report.
Three wild horses were put down on Saturday: an 18-year-year old bay stallion with a poorly healed broken nose and respiratory issues as well as a 12-year-old dun stallion and 1-year-old bay filly that were both blind, according to BLM. That brings the total number of wild horses killed since the roundup began to 20.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 19, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 110 wild horses on Friday, the 22nd day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 32 stallions, 54 mares and 24 foals brought the total captured to 1,529, according to the BLM’s gather report.
A 17-year old roan stallion was put down for BLM said was a pre-existing broken left front knee. That brings the total number of wild horses killed since the roundup began to 17.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 18, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 37 wild horses on Thursday, the 21st day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 11 stallions, 22 mares and four foals brought the total captured to 1,419, according to the BLM’s gather report.
Two horses were killed on Wednesday: An 8-year-old bay mare was put down for sway back and a 15-year-old sorrel stallion was put down for a pre-existing soft tissue injury to his right rear fetlock. That brings the total number of wild horses killed since the roundup began to 16.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 17, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 44 wild horses on Wednesday, the 21st day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 23 stallions, 16 mares and five foals brought the total captured to 1,382, according to the BLM’s gather report.
One horse was killed on Wednesday: An 8-year-old bay stud was put down for being club footed in both rear feet, bringing the total number of wild horses killed since the roundup began to 14.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 16, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 99 wild horses on Tuesday, the 20th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 47 stallions, 36 mares and 16 foals brought the total captured to 1,338, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Monday. A total of 13 have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 10 that were put down for what the BLM defined as pre-existing conditions — including six for being blind in one eye.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 15, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 106 wild horses on Monday, the 19th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 51 stallions, 40 mares and 15 foals brought the total captured to 1,239, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Monday. A total of 13 have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and 10 that were put down for what the BLM defined as pre-existing conditions — including six for being blind in one eye.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3-5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 14, 2024
No operations were conducted.
Jan. 13, 2024
No operations were conducted.
Jan. 12, 2024
No operations were conducted.
Jan. 11, 2024
No gather operations were conducted on the 15th day of the roundup, keeping the total number of wild horses captured at 1,133.
Two previously captured wild horses were killed on Thursday: A stud more than 20 years old and a 17-year-old bay stud were both put down for what BLM said were pre-existing left front knee / cannon fractures. A total of 13 wild horses have been killed since the roundup began.
Jan. 10, 2024
No operations were conducted.
Jan. 9, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 145 wild horses on Tuesday, the 13th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 44 stallions, 69 mares and 32 foals brought the total captured to 1,133, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Tuesday. A total of 11 have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and eight that were put down for what the BLM defined as pre-existing conditions — including six for being blind in one eye.
Two stallions were listed as released. No other details were given, but that may mean that they escaped the trap site.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 2.5 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 8, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 54 wild horses on Monday, the 12th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 28 stallions, 22 mares and four foals brought the total captured to 988, according to the BLM’s gather report.
No wild horses were killed on Monday. A total of 11 have been killed since the roundup began, three as a direct result of the roundup and eight that were put down for what the BLM defined as pre-existing conditions — including six for being blind in one eye.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 2.5 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 7, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 68 wild horses on Sunday, the 11th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 31 stallions, 27 mares and 10 foals brought the total captured to 940.
No wild horses were killed on Sunday. Since the roundup began, 11 wild horses have died as a direct result of the roundup or have been put down for BLM defined as pre-existing conditions, including six for being blind in one eye.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 2.5 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 6, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 34 wild horses on Saturday, the 10th day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 14 stallions, 15 mares and five foals brought the total captured to 872.
Two wild horses were killed: A yearling sorrel colt was put down after suffering a dislocated right knee during the roundup, while a 20-year-old sorrel stud was put down for being blind in one eye, according to BLM’s gather report. Since the roundup began, 11 wild horses have been killed.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 2.5 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 5, 2024
No roundup operations were conducted on Friday.
Jan. 4, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 105 wild horses on Thursday, the eighth day of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 47 stallions, 45 mares and 13 foals brought the total captured to 838.
A 7-year-old bay stud was put down for a previously broken right front leg, according to BLM’s gather report. Since the roundup began, nine horses have been killed.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 2 (very thin) to 4 (moderately thin) on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 3, 2024
No wild horses were captured on Wednesday due to snowfall.
Jan. 2, 2024
The Bureau of Land Management captured 128 wild horses on Tuesday, the sixth day of a helicopter on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada. The 56 stallions, 58 mares and 14 foals captured bring the total captured to 733.
No wild horses were killed on Tuesday. Since the roundup began, eight have died.
The BLM reported body condition scores of 3 or “thin” on a 9-point scale.
Jan. 1, 2024 / Background
The Bureau of Land Management has captured 605 wild horses and killed eight during the first five days of a helicopter roundup on the East Pershing Complex in Nevada.
The BLM plans to capture and remove from their home range 2,785 “excess” wild horses in and around the complex, which is located in Pershing, Humboldt, Churchill and Lander Counties.
Of the horses killed, so far, two have died as a direct result of the roundup: a 4-year-old bay mare that suffered a broken neck and a 12-year-old mare with a broken leg. The other six were put down due to pre-existing conditions, according to the BLM, five for being blind in one eye and one for club foot.
The BLM has no plans to treat and release mares with proven, safe and humane fertility control during this roundup — a decision that will only increase the size and frequency of future roundups on East Pershing.
In addition, removing horses from the range will only add to the unsustainable number of captive wild horses in government corrals or on leased pastures.
The agency’s goal is to bring the number of wild horses back to within the BLM-set population target, or “Appropriate Management Level,” in order to “prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses.” The roundup also addresses “resources issues related to drought and past fire damage and protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage-grouse, pronghorn antelope and mule deer.”
The East Pershing Complex is made up of 2.2 million total acres of public and private land, including three wild horse Herd Management Areas (North Stillwater, Augusta Mountains and Tobin Range) and four Herd Areas, which are not actively managed for wild horses.
The BLM estimated in March 2023 that there were 3,375 wild horses in and around the complex. The combined BLM-set “Appropriate Management Level” for wild horses on the complex is 345-555, or as low as one horse for every 6,377 acres.
By comparison, the BLM allows 52 private livestock permittees to graze the yearly equivalent of 8,170 cow-calf pairs.
Captured wild horses will be shipped to the Winnemucca (Nev.) Off-Range Corrals, where they will be prepared for adoption or sale.
To read the BLM’s planning documents, click here.
Viewing the roundup
Members of the public who wish to view the roundup must RSVP by calling (775) 623-1567 by 5:30 p.m. the night before they intend to view the roundup. Those who have RSVP’d, no later than 5:30 p.m. the night before, you will receive a call back on meeting time and location no later than 9 p.m. that evening.
If the traps are on privately owned property, trap observations will be limited. If the traps are on public lands, trap observation opportunities will be daily, according to the BLM.
The observers will be led by either an agency staff member or ranger out to the trap site of the day. All observers must stay until daily operations are completed.