Wyoming’s Wild Horse Ranch: History and Description of a Socio-Ecological Experiment

Authors

• Alex Sas-Jaworsky, Wild Horse Preservation Society on the Wild Horse Ranch
• John D. Scasta, University of Wyoming

Date of this Version

Fall 2022

Document Type

Article

Citation

Human–Wildlife Interactions (Fall 2022) 16(2): article 12 

doi: 10.26077/0930-7169 

Special topic: New research in wild horse management 

Comments

Open access. License: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

The growing population of free-roaming horses (Equus ferus caballus) on western public rangelands has necessitated that federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service, develop novel approaches to curb growth including reproduction management. However, bureaucracy has hindered effective research and application of horse management on public lands and examples on private lands may present new solutions. Here we present the history and current population management strategy for the Wild Horse Ranch (WHR) located in southeastern Wyoming, USA, as an example of an ongoing private entity managing horses. Prior to 1985, this ~6,000-ha ranch was used historically for domestic sheep (Ovis aries) production, and after 1985, for yearling cattle (Bos taurus). In 2005, geldings (i.e., castrated males) and mares were purchased from BLM by WHR and introduced to the ranch in conjunction with the development of home sites. In 2019, landowners formed the Wild Horse Preservation Society (WHPS) to enhance horse management and care. The WHPS uses multiple approaches to manage population growth including castrating stallions and treating mares with chemical contraception through partnerships with veterinarians and other stakeholders. In addition, WHPS feeds supplemental hay to horses in severe winter months, provides water during the summer, monitors rangeland vegetation, horse diets, and cares for abandoned foals or geriatric horses. The WHPS is a network of board members and landowners that is working for the betterment of horse welfare and rangeland health and is situated to be a leading entity and example in the area of free-enterprise free-roaming horse reproduction management.