Wild Horse Family bands, what gives us the right to destroy them?

Wild horses are not just individuals roaming the landscape; they are part of tightly bonded family bands, built on deep social connections that shape their survival, communication, and well-being. These family structures are essential, with stallions protecting their mares and foals, mares guiding their young, and strong bonds ensuring stability within the herd.

Yet, roundups and removals violently shatter these families, separating mares from their foals, stallions from their lifelong companions, and leaving once-thriving herds fragmented and broken. What gives us the right to disrupt something so natural and fundamental? If we truly value wild horses as a symbol of freedom and resilience, we must recognize and respect their social structures instead of tearing them apart for the sake of misguided management.

It’s time to demand better. Speak up for wild horse families by contacting legislators, supporting organizations that fight for their protection, and spreading awareness about the reality of roundups. Together, we can ensure that these horses remain wild and free—where they belong.

These families were removed during The FY2025 Triple B Complex Gather. 2,196 Wild Horses were removed. 804 Stallions with 16 being released back, 881 mares with 23 treated mares being released back, 511 foals with zero released. The foals were weaned from their mothers at temp holding and were sent to Indian Lakes, closed to the public facility, with the stallions and the mares were sent to Palomino Valley Holding facility miles away. When they release, they do not consider which mustangs came in together. 27 Mustangs lost their lives. This is the harsh reality of roundups. Wild horses deserve better. Their families matter. Their freedom matters.