Utah Wild Horses

Wild Horses walking away from the water hole.

Utah is home to 22 herds of wild horses that graze in desert plains and congregate at watering holes. These herds came into existence in the 1800s when domestic horses escaped from local ranchers and settled into lives of freedom. These mustangs soon came to be considered an indispensable part of Utah’s public lands.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages wild horses in Utah and works to maintain healthy populations while also protecting public lands and other natural resources. The BLM uses a variety of methods to manage wild horse populations, including fertility control, adoption programs, and roundups. For example, in 2021, the BLM began removing about half of the wild horses from Utah’s Onaqui herd despite pleas from advocacy groups to let the beloved horses remain on the range. Some advocacy groups have criticized the BLM for using methods such as roundups and fertility control that they say are cruel and inhumane.

However, it’s worth noting that managing wild horse populations is a complex issue that involves balancing the needs of the horses with those of other wildlife and natural resources. The answers are not always agreed upon and working together and finding the right middle ground is best, if we can only give and take and celebrate the horses while also creating a good balance of resources and animals.

Utah’s wild horses are a popular attraction for visitors who come to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat. There are many ways to see wild horses in Utah, including guided tours, hiking trails, and scenic drives.