American Wild Horse Conservation

What is Onyx doing?! While he may look like he's yawning, sneezing, or even shouting—he's actually performing something called the flehmen response. This funny face helps him draw in odors and process scents. Let's try it! As you read this: extend your neck, raise your head, and inhale while rolling back your upper lip and displaying your front teeth. How much does this amplify your ability to sniff out your surroundings? We're sorry to say—probably not much! Because, most likely, you're not a horse. Unlike humans, horses can transfer scent molecules to their vomeronasal organ for analysis. Our vomeronasal organ is, sadly, non-functional—but it doesn't mean us humans can't try!

Join us for an important webinar on the recent court ruling that shut down the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and what it means for the future of wild horse and burro adoptions. This victory is a critical step in protecting wild horses and burros, but with 66,000 still in government holding facilities, the fight is far from over. Now, we must push for ethical, transparent, and humane adoption solutions. Together, we’ll explore next steps—including replacing cash incentives with responsible alternatives like veterinary vouchers—and discuss how we can prevent future policies that endanger these iconic animals. Don’t miss this chance to learn, ask questions, and be part of the conversation for the future of wild horse and burro protection.

TODAY is a big day for Wyoming's wild horses!: AWHC's legal team is presenting oral arguments at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to defend the Wyoming Checkerboard mustangs from mass removal and eradication. Swipe through for a breakdown of the 10-year legal battle to keep Wyoming's herds wild.

Celebrating Colorado’s Leadership in Wild Horse Protection! As we recognize Colorado’s first-ever Horse Protection Month, we want to take a moment to celebrate a leader who has played a pivotal role in making it happen—Governor Jared Polis! Early this month, we proudly presented Governor Polis with AWHC’s 2025 Freedom Award for his steadfast commitment to protecting wild horses. Governor Polis has been a steadfast champion for these iconic animals since his time in Congress, recognizing their deep connection to our history, our landscapes, and the spirit of freedom they represent. Under his leadership, Colorado is setting the gold standard for humane, cost-effective, and collaborative wild horse management at a time when federal policies rely on costly, inhumane roundups and mass confinement of these animals in holding facilities. With Colorado leading the way, we hope other states will follow in its footsteps. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Little Neptune greeted the world for the first time just a few days ago, on March 8th! Luckily for this sweet boy, he was born onto AWHC's Fish Springs Land Preserve in Nevada. Neptune tests out his spindly legs, leaping and bounding in the unmistakable way baby horses do when their legs are far too long for their bodies. There's no stifling this tiny boy's wild and curious spirit as he explores his home for the very first time. March is the beginning of foaling season. While we can't imagine Neptune anywhere but the open range with no corrals to confine him, dozens of foals who are just taking their first steps—or perhaps still waiting for their entry into the world—will lose their basic right to freedom starting in July. Though there is a brief break in helicopter roundups during foaling season, the foals born now will still be only a few months old by the time the operations start up again. These foals will still be galloping with legs that are too long for their bodies—only this time, not out of exploration and curiosity. Foals, with their developing bodies and in the scorching summer heat, are often not strong or resilient enough to endure a helicopter chase. Still very much dependent on their mothers, they are vulnerable to injury, trauma, post-roundup illness, and separation from their herd. Not to mention, the March-June pause in roundups does not account for the flexible rhythms of nature and the births that happen outside this window. Foals just hours old, as Neptune was in our first post about him, are forced to flee helicopters before they can even take in their surroundings. Pregnant mothers can even miscarry. Spring is a time for new life, joy, and fresh beginnings. Every foal should be celebrating the beauty of the world with Neptune, remaining wild and free for the entirety of their lives.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Representative Raúl M. Grijalva, a true champion for America’s wild horses and burros. In his tenure in Congress, he was unwavering in his commitment to protecting our nation’s public lands and all the wild animals who call them home. Throughout his career and as chair of the House Natural Committee, Rep. Grijalva led efforts to protect wild horses and burros, including banning slaughter, investigating agency mistreatment and mismanagement, and requiring humane management practices. He played a pivotal role in saving the Salt River wild horses, joining the late Senator John McCain in leading bipartisan opposition to a U.S. Forest Service plan to roundup and eliminate them from their habitat in the Tonto National Forest. Understanding that resource competition fuels many conflicts with wildlife, he co-sponsored legislation for voluntary grazing retirement, creating opportunities for conservation groups to compensate willing ranchers. A true conservation warrior, he was also a tireless advocate for preserving lands of cultural significance to Indigenous communities. His passing is a great loss to AWHC, our colleagues in the wild horse advocacy community and all who fight to preserve our extraordinary western ecosystems. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all those who admired his dedication to justice and conservation. His impact will endure, and we will honor his memory by continuing the work he championed. Rest in peace, Representative Grijalva. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Thank you Salt River Wild Horse Management Group for the photo.

In celebration of Colorado's first-ever Horse Protection Month, we bring you the remarkable story of Merlin and the Foal! She couldn’t be more than three days old. But she found herself completely alone on over 150,000 desolate acres of Colorado’s public lands. This was after she and her mother, a mare named Serendipity, were stampeded by low flying helicopters and became separated the day prior. The next day, advocates on the ground at the roundup spotted her: a tiny newborn foal being accompanied by, they assumed, her mother. But a closer look revealed that she was actually trotting alongside Merlin—a well-known local stallion! Merlin, who should have been taking cover miles away from the dangerous helicopter roundup, set aside his instincts for freedom—and put the foal's survival above his own: he courageously escorted the parched newborn to the trap site, where the foal immediately received the care she needed. In this act of selflessness, Merlin sacrificed his freedom. He was captured. That could have been the end of his story, but it wasn’t. The next day, Merlin took a huge leap of faith and jumped over the metal panels standing between him and the open range. Today, he still remains free and the foal, known as StellaLuna, is safe at the For the Love of Aria sanctuary in Colorado! The two most important principles to any wild mustang are family and freedom. Merlin chose both. To this day, he continues to roam free on Colorado public lands.

Notice anything different about Jack of Hearts? This gorgeous stallion, a popular favorite among Wyoming's Salt Wells Creek herd, is among the rare "curly" horses that grace our public lands. Incredible, huh? However, these unique animals are in danger of being eradicated. The Salt Wells Creek herd is part of the Wyoming Checkerboard region which is threatened by helicopter roundups that could zero out these populations. Why? because organizations like the Rock Springs Grazing Association (RSGA) want the area clear of wild horses. These mustangs are up against powerful interests who view wild horses as competitors to their private livestock on our public lands. AWHC has been part of a decade-long legal battle in which we’ve fought to protect over 2 million acres of the Wyoming Checkerboard and the horses who call the area home. On March 18, our legal team, led by Eubanks and Associates, will present oral arguments before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals at the United States Courthouse in Denver. This case is vital — not just for the Wyoming wild horses we’re fighting for, but for every other herd across the West. Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area last saw helicopters descend in 2021. Luckily, Jack of Hearts was not captured, and he remains free today. But his freedom is at stake. Stay tuned for ways to take action to protect these iconic herds! Thanks to Carol Walker for the stunning photos of Jack of Hearts!

?? New life on American Wild Horse Conservation’s Fish Springs Land Preserve! ?? Meet Neptune—born Saturday morning at 7:40am, named for the god of water and worshipped as the god of horses. In astrology, Neptune signifies compassion—something our wild horses and our world very much need right now! Thank you to Olivia of the @chantecaillecf for the beautiful and meaningful name and for being an important partner in the land preserve and the fight for wild horse freedom. The Fish Springs Land Preserve is a safe haven for wild horse herds in Nevada’s stunning Carson Valley. And big thanks John T. Humphrey, our land manager and wildlife photographer extraordinaire for capturing these amazing moments and sharing them with us. His love for the horses shines through his photography. ?? Welcome to the world, little Neptune. ??

At AWHC's Land Conservancy Project in Nevada, we're dedicated to preserving and restoring critical habitat for wild horses and other wildlife. Our habitat restoration efforts are focused on maintaining healthy, sustainable land that benefits both the animals and the surrounding ecosystem. In the photos, you can see the view of the east end of the ranch with Midnight & Santiago (picture 2!), plus the pond, which has finally filled up (picture 4!)! Photos by John Humphrey