Legislative Issues & Policies - Wild Horse and Burro Legislation

Introduction

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has wrestled with the wild horse and burro issue for years.  The herds have been managed by BLM since passage of the 1971 legislation protecting them.  To some they are a part of the “American heritage.”  To others they overbreed, compete with other livestock and animals for forage and water on federal lands and are expensive to maintain.  

BLM has offered these horses for adoption for years under their Adopt-a-Wild Horse program.  But herd sizes continue to grow faster than the excess horses are adopted and BLM maintains it has not been able to bring the herds down to manageable levels.  There are now an estimated 24,000 animals in holding facilities costing $495 per animal per year.

Background

In the 108th Congress, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and others included a provision in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill repealing the prohibition on the sale of wild horses and burros for commercial purposes and authorizing the Secretary of Interior to sell excess animals at public sales “without limitation” on their use.  Excess horses are deemed to be those over ten years of age and those that have not been adopted in three attempts.  BLM estimated that approximately 8,400 animals fell in those categories.  This change prompted many to be concerned that such animals could go to slaughter. 

House Legislation

On January 5, 2007, Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) introduced H.R. 249, which would restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.  This bill amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971(Public Law 92-195).  Congressman Rahall introduced similar legislation in the last Congress.

House Action

In April 2007, by a vote of 277 to 137, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 249.  The bill now moves to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

AHC Position

The AHC does not have a position on this legislation.