10 States Where You Could Run into Wild Horses

Wild horses roam freely across vast stretches of the United States and are symbols of the American West. 

The U.S. Department of the Interior—Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages wild horse populations across 245 million acres of public lands.1 They work to balance their numbers and minimize overgrazing. 

In these states, where wild horse numbers are high, encounters can affect both the health of the horses and the delicate environment they live in.

1. Arizona

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Where they roam: The state features 12.1 million acres of public land and 17.5 million subsurface acres.(ref) 

Arizona is home to a notable population of wild horses, particularly in areas like the Tonto National Forest and the southern part of the state. These horses often roam in arid regions and can have a notable impact on the delicate desert ecosystems. 

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BLM Arizona is involved in the management of wild horse and burro populations in the state. They implement programs to maintain healthy herd sizes and minimize environmental impact.

2. California

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Where they roam: There are about 15 million acres of public land (about 15% of the Golden State’s land mass), 47 million acres of subsurface mineral estate, and 1.6 million acres of public land in northwestern Nevada.(ref)

California has several herds of wild horses, with notable populations in areas such as the Modoc National Forest and the BLM-managed lands in Northern California. 

The state’s diverse landscapes, from deserts to mountain ranges, provide varied habitats for these horses. California faces challenges in managing these populations to prevent overgrazing and ensure ecological balance.

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3. Colorado

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Where they roam: There are 8.3 million acres of public lands and more than 27 million acres of mineral estate.(ref) 

Colorado is known for its picturesque landscapes that are home to wild horses, especially in the Sand Wash Basin and the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area. 

The state’s high elevation and varied terrain provide suitable habitats for these animals. Colorado’s management efforts focus on maintaining healthy herd sizes and minimizing the impact on public lands.

4. Idaho

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Where they roam: Nearly 12 million acres of public lands are in Idaho, which is nearly one-fourth of the state’s total land area.(ref)

In Idaho, wild horses are found in areas like the Owyhee Desert and the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The state’s rugged terrain and wide-open spaces offer ample room for these horses to roam. 

However, managing their numbers is crucial to preventing overgrazing and protecting native plant species.

5. Montana/Dakotas

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Where they roam: There are 8.3 million acres of federal lands and about 47.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in the three states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.(ref)

Montana is known for its large, open spaces that are ideal for wild horses. Herds can be found in regions such as the Pryor Mountains and the Little Book Cliffs. 

The BLM Montana/Dakotas management practices aim to ensure that wild horse populations remain balanced with the needs of the environment and other land uses.

6. Nevada

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Where they roam: A whopping 67% of Nevada, consisting about 48 million acres, belong to public lands.(ref)

Nevada has the largest population of wild horses in the country. The state’s vast and diverse landscapes, including deserts and mountain ranges, provide ample habitat for these animals. 

Key areas where wild horses are found include the Virginia Range and the Black Rock Desert. Managing the large wild horse populations in Nevada is a significant challenge, as overgrazing and competition with other wildlife and livestock can impact the environment.

7. New Mexico

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Where they roam: BLM staff in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas manage 13.5 million acres of public lands and oversee 42 million acres of federal oil, natural gas, and mineral resources.(ref)

In New Mexico, wild horses are primarily located in areas like the BLM’s Mancos and Zuni Herd Management Areas. The state’s varied terrain, from high deserts to mountainous regions, supports these herds. 

Management efforts in New Mexico focus on maintaining healthy herd sizes and protecting natural resources, while also dealing with issues like habitat degradation and overpopulation.

8. Oregon/Washington

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Where they roam: These states in the Pacific Northwest has 16.1 million acres of public lands.(ref)

Oregon is home to several wild horse herds, notably in areas such as the Steens Mountain Wilderness and the Hines Herd Management Area. The state’s diverse landscapes, including high deserts and rugged terrain, offer suitable habitats for wild horses. 

Management practices of the BLM Oregon/Washington aim to balance the needs of the horses with the health of the rangelands and the interests of other land users.

9. Utah

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Where they roam: BLM Utah manages public lands across 22.8 million acres.(ref)

Utah features notable herds found in areas like the Onaqui Mountains and the Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Areas. The state’s varied topography, including deserts, plateaus, and canyons, provides habitat for these animals. 

Utah’s management efforts focus on maintaining healthy herd sizes and addressing issues related to overgrazing and habitat conservation.

10. Wyoming

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Where they roam: Wyoming’s public lands include 18 million acres of expansive open spaces, alongside nearly 43 million acres of federal mineral estate.(ref)

Wyoming hosts several wild horse herds in regions such as the Red Desert and the Devil’s Garden. The state’s open spaces and varied terrain support these herds. 

BLM Wyoming includes strategies in maintaining ecological balance, addressing overgrazing, and ensuring the health of both the wild horse populations and the environment.

Source:

  1. U.S. Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management
nancy
Author & Editor |  + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.