The fate of America’s wild horses and burros has long been a contentious issue, and as discussions surrounding the Trump administration’s return to power, advocates and policymakers are closely examining the implications of Project 2025 on these animals.
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Project 2025 and Wild Horses
Project 2025, a policy framework developed by the Heritage Foundation, outlines a roadmap for reshaping the federal government under a conservative administration. Among its numerous policy recommendations is a stance on wild horse and burro management that has alarmed many advocates. Specifically, the document calls for legislative action to allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to “dispose humanely” of wild horses, language that critics fear could pave the way for mass euthanasia or slaughter.
This approach echoes previous efforts during the Trump administration to remove restrictions on the sale and euthanasia of unadopted wild horses. The 2017 Trump administration budget proposal sought to cut $10 million from the BLM’s wild horse program and lift restrictions on selling captured horses to slaughterhouses. While these measures ultimately did not gain traction in Congress, they signaled a departure from long-standing protections that have shielded these animals since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971.
The Legacy of Wild Horse Management Under Trump
During Trump’s presidency, the BLM ramped up roundups and removals, increasing the number of wild horses held in off-range facilities while largely neglecting non-lethal management strategies such as fertility control. Between 2020 and 2023, the BLM removed approximately 50,000 wild horses from public lands but treated only 4,237 mares with fertility control, further exacerbating the program’s unsustainable cycle of removals and long-term holding.
Critics argue that this method of management not only fails to address the root causes of overpopulation but also increases taxpayer costs. As of fiscal year 2023, the off-range holding program consumed $108.5 million—69% of the BLM’s total wild horse management budget. With Project 2025 advocating for further reductions in government spending and an expanded suite of management tools, the fear is that lethal measures may once again be considered as a cost-saving solution.
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Public Opinion and Alternative Solutions
Americans have consistently voiced strong opposition to the slaughter of wild horses. Public outcry in the early 1980s led to a de facto ban on euthanizing healthy horses for management purposes and repeated congressional interventions have prevented the practice from resuming. Recent surveys, such as those conducted by Colorado State University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, show that the vast majority of Americans favor humane, non-lethal management methods.
Advocates argue that the solution lies in scaling up fertility control programs, such as the use of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) and other immunocontraceptive methods, to stabilize wild horse populations without mass removals. Organizations including the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States support a shift toward fertility control as the primary management tool, rather than continued reliance on removals and off-range holding.
What’s Next for Wild Horses?
With the Trump administration, the future of wild horse management remains uncertain. If Project 2025’s recommendations are implemented, advocates will need to remain vigilant in opposing policies that could threaten the survival of wild horse herds. Congress has repeatedly blocked efforts to introduce lethal management strategies, and continued public pressure will be crucial in ensuring that humane alternatives remain the priority.
Ultimately, the fate of America’s wild horses is a reflection of broader public lands policy and conservation ethics. The challenge ahead will be to balance ecological stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and the enduring American value of protecting wild and free-roaming animals.
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