Freedom for Wild Horses

Why does the BLM's Wild Horse sale authority program need an audit? In this episode, I speak with Manda Kalimian, founder of Rewilding America Now, about the urgent need to bring transparency and accountability to the way wild horses are sold from holding facilities. Together, we explore how the current system is failing the horses and what actions you can take to help ensure their welfare.      ...

What happens when the people shaping public lands policy are closely tied to the very industries competing with wild horses for those lands? In this episode, I look at the growing influence of grazing and extractive interests on public land policy, and why these changes could have serious consequences for America's wild horses.            I explain how proposed grazing changes could reduce public...

Have you heard about the new herd management plan for the Red Desert Complex? If not, now is the time to pay attention. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a plan that will impact the wild horses in this area, and the comment period is open. In this episode, I explain why submitting your comments is crucial and how they can influence the future of these horses.     The BLM is planning...

What is it like to visit the wild horses of Salt Wells Creek during a winter with almost no snow? In this episode, I share what I saw during my recent trip to this Wyoming range, where unusually dry conditions made travel easier but also raised concerns about the lack of moisture across the region. You'll hear about several of the families and bachelor stallions I observed during my time in the ra...

What could this year mean for wild horses? As we enter the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of movement, passion, and freedom, I reflect on what lies ahead for the horses who embody those qualities more than any other. Wild horses represent vitality and resilience, yet their future remains uncertain as policies and priorities continue to shift.     More than 64,000 wild horses are currently confin...

What happens to wild horses once they are removed from public lands and placed in holding facilities? In this episode, I examine a new Bureau of Land Management policy that expands the use of sales as a way to reduce the number of wild horses in government care, raising serious concerns about oversight and protection.   I'm joined by longtime wild horse advocate and Freedom of Information Act expe...

Have you ever wondered what makes a wild curly horse so distinctive? In this episode, I revisit my first experiences with the curly horses of Salt Wells Creek and share how discovering this rare lineage changed the way I understood the diversity within America's wild horse herds. These horses carry traits that set them apart from others on the range, and encountering them for the first time reveal...

Have you wondered what is happening with America's wild horses as 2025 comes to a close? In this episode, I share a clear look at where things stand today. After more than twenty years of observing these herds, the gap between what the law intended and how wild horses are managed has never felt more evident.   I also break down the political forces shaping the future of these herds, including how...

What can you do to help stop our horses in this country from going to slaughter? Horses from every discipline, age, and background are being shipped for slaughter every year. In 2024 alone, 20,000 horses were killed. Many people do not realize how easily a Thoroughbred, a child's lesson pony, a show horse, or even a mustang can be sold at auction and bought by kill buyers.   In this episode, I tal...

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to connect with wild horses? In this episode, I take you with me on my September journey through Salt Wells Creek and the Red Desert Complex in Wyoming. With the roundup postponed for another season, I was able to spend time among wild horse families who remain free, witnessing their strength, their relationships, and the quiet power that defines life in t...

What happens to wild horses after a roundup, and how has it changed over the years? In this episode, I revisit the topic of wild horse holding facilities to examine how horses are cared for after being removed from public lands. From my earliest observations to the present, the situation has worsened, and the challenges facing these horses are more urgent than ever.   I share what I've learned abo...

Have you ever wondered where the fight to save wild horses is headed? In this episode, I take you on a journey that began 21 years ago, when I first discovered that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was planning to remove most of the wild horses from Adobe Town, a herd I had grown to love. Through 22 roundups across five states, I've photographed and shared the painful reality of the BLM's actio...

What does it really take to zero out a wild horse herd? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of the Adobe Town roundup, where the BLM captured far more wild horses than they should have, pushing this herd dangerously close to being wiped out. Though their target was met, the process that led to this moment was far from transparent or humane.   I spent five days observing the roundup, witn...

What does it mean to win in court while wild horse roundups continue on the ground? In this episode, I share the emotional highs and lows of a pivotal week in the fight to protect Adobe Town's wild horses. Just as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in our favor—finding the BLM acted arbitrarily in its plan to zero out nearly 2 million acres of wild horse habitat—the helicopters were already...

Have you ever felt your heart breaking in slow motion? That's what it's been like spending time with the Salt Wells Creek wild horses this year, knowing what's coming. In this episode, I share stories from my final trip to see these incredible horses before the Bureau of Land Management plans to begin a massive roundup that may zero out the herd completely.   Salt Wells Creek is home to one of the...

What will the future hold for our wild horses with the prospect of Project 2025 looming over our country? The 2026 White House budget request represents an unprecedented threat, removing protections that have safeguarded wild horses from slaughter since 2017. Meanwhile, the BLM plans to eliminate entire herds in Wyoming, despite legal appeals still pending.   Project 2025 calls for the "humane dis...

Have you wondered what it's like to be in the field, on the land, spending time with wild horses? I spend countless hours in Wyoming's wild horse territory, watching, photographing, and connecting with these magnificent creatures. My recent trip to Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area reminded me of the profound impact these wild horses have on those who take the time to observe them in their nat...

Is the fate of America's wild horses at risk? Project 2025's proposal to "dispose humanely" of nearly 68,000 wild horses and burros in holding facilities has alarming implications. This isn't wildlife management—it's extinction.   In this powerful episode, I talk with wild horse advocate and FOIA expert Debbie Coffey about the troubling consequences of Project 2025 for wild horses. The situation h...

Are our wild horses in Wyoming's checkerboard lands about to disappear forever? The Bureau of Land Management plans to remove thousands of wild horses from Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, and Great Divide Basin starting July 2025, effectively zeroing out entire herds despite ongoing legal challenges.   In this episode, I break down the two public comment periods currently open for these herds and pr...

How would you feel if your tax dollars were being used to send wild horses to slaughter? In a landmark legal victory, wild horse advocates recently shut down a government program that was doing exactly that. The Bureau of Land Management's Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) was paying people $1,000 per horse to adopt untamed wild horses, with devastating consequences.   I'm joined today by Suzanne R...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to visit wild horses in the winter? In this episode, I share my recent experience traveling in Wyoming to see these majestic creatures during the coldest time of year. From navigating snowy roads to spotting familiar horses, it's an adventure unlike any other.   You'll hear about the resilience of these horses as they survive and thrive in the harsh winter con...

Are you concerned about the future of America's wild horses? Despite the challenges ahead, I believe we must hold onto hope and keep fighting for their protection. In this episode, I share my thoughts on the current state of wild horses and what we can do to make a difference.   I encourage you to express your love, determination, and commitment to saving wild horses. Let's look for opportunities...

As we reflect on the year, I'm excited to revisit one of my favorite episodes with you. Whether you're relaxing with loved ones or carving out a little time for yourself, this episode offers something truly special.   In today's episode, we explore the story of wild horses—a tale of beauty, struggle, and perseverance. Through my photographs, book, and advocacy work, I strive to showcase their sple...

Curious about the Rock Springs Grazing Association and their influence over wild horses in Wyoming? This episode is for you. Join me and my friend, Debbie Coffey, as we dive into the ongoing lawsuit that wild horse and burro activists, including us, have filed against the Rock Springs Grazing Association and the BLM.   You'll learn how to support organizations like American Wild Horse Conservation...

If you've ever dreamed of venturing into the snowy wilderness to find wild horses, this episode is for you. Experience the unique blend of thrill and tranquility that comes with braving the cold to encounter these majestic creatures—a journey unlike any other.   Join me as I explore how winter transforms the world of wild horses. From their calm resilience as they graze in sheltered areas to unfor...