Learn about America's Wild Mustangs and why
Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue wants to help
*Special thanks to Lynne Pomeranz for this beautiful photograph of our girl, Bella, and her mother Rosalita, on the Onaqui Range in Utah.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages wild horses and burros in 177 herd management areas (HMAs) in 10 western states. Nearly half (83) of the HMAs are in Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, Utah, and California, each having between 16 and 21 HMAs. The remaining HMAs are in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico.
Current Statistics
73,520
Estimated Wild Horse and Burro Population living free on the range, as of March I, 2024
68,143
Wild Horses and Burros in Bureau of Land Management holding facilities in 2025
$142 Million
Fiscal year 2025 Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro program expenditures
Wild American Mustangs face a serious threat
Wild Mustangs of the American West embody the untamed, free spirit and diversity that our great nation was founded on. Their history in America is rich and full, and they deserve our respect and honor. Even for those who don’t own or ride horses, the Mustangs are a symbol of freedom and beauty. Their thundering hooves, manes and tails flying in the wind, along with their unmatched attitude and beauty, are found in only 10 of our western states.
Since 1862, when the Homestead Act was passed by our government, there has been tension surrounding Wild Mustangs. Many of the early Western settlers clashed with the wild horses on the range. During this time, mustangs were shot or rounded up and sent to meat markets to make room for livestock, ranchers, and domesticated horses. Later, the mustangs were used for war. By the time the US entered WWI in 1917, 7 million horses had died on battlefields, and there was a surge of interest in rounding up mustangs for battle. After WWI, America saw the rise of the pet food industry, and the mustangs were rounded up for use in pet food, and to be sent to other countries for human consumption. In 1971, largely due to efforts by wild horse advocate Velma Johnston (Wild Horse Annie), Congress passed the 1971 Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which recognized the mustangs as an integral symbol of American history and instituted protection and management of the herds on public lands.
Today, Mustangs need our help. As people have made more and more demands on public lands for livestock and human use, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has concluded that many herds of Mustangs are overpopulated, harming the environment, or are at risk of starvation and dying from thirst. Some of the areas where the wild horses live have been hit by drought. Forage and water don't meet the horse's needs. Other areas are thriving, the horses well fed and watered by the natural landscape. In any case, the BLM has decided the best way to take care of what they have determined to be excess horses is by removing horses from the public lands and keeping the remaining number of horses very low. Drugs that prevent mares from becoming pregnant are being used more often, and many herds of these beautiful animals have been reduced to a number that is not genetically viable.
One of the problems encountered when removing the horses from public lands happens when so many horses are rounded up that there are not enough people to adopt them all. In fiscal year 2023, 8,043 Wild Mustangs and Burros were placed into new homes or sanctuaries. This is the second-highest number of animals placed into new homes in over 25 years. However, statistics show that in the year 2022 over 20,193 horses were removed from public lands. What happens to horses that do not find homes? The answer may surprise you.
Once gathered and put into holding by the BLM, the Mustangs are then sorted by age and gender. Some older horses or horses that have been put up for adoption 3 times and passed over are offered for sale outright. If the Mustang is not adopted or sold, it will then be sent to what the BLM calls Off-Range Pastures. There, they are placed into captivity for the remainder of their lives. Off range pastures are privately-owned, government-contracted, long-term holding pastures. While this may seem like a good solution, it comes at a cost. The horses remain in captivity throughout their entire lives. This becomes an extremely expensive proposition for the Nation's taxpayers. They are given food and water, and kept in same sex groups for companionship.
Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue wants to help by promoting responsible adoption of these iconic horses
Here at Halfway to Heaven, we are afraid of the possibility that some year Congress may not approve the over 150 + Million dollar budget needed to fund the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro program. At that point, there will not be many options for the horses in the long term, Off Range pastures other than to be sent for slaughter. The sad fact is that if the funding stops, the horses have to go somewhere. There is much controversy between divergent groups about how the BLM is handling the Wild Horse and Burro program. Here at Halfway to Heaven, we encourage people to do their own thorough research before making a decision about how the BLM is doing. At Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue, we do not get into these public controversies. Our main goal is to get more horses adopted by the public, so more horses can be kept out of Long Term Holding/ Off-Range pastures. People who have had the opportunity to own a Mustang will tell you they are sturdy, sound horses, easy keepers, and normally very healthy. Most adapt to domestic life well. In our experience, the ones who don't do well in captivity are those that have been trained with rough handling or other techniques that frighten them. Mustangs are athletic horses, and for adopters who want to compete in equine sports, there is a Mustang that will fit their needs. From Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, to Driving, Ranch horses, Barrel Racing, Trail riding, and more - they can do it all! Besides being great all-around horses, the bond they share with their owners is like no other. Their loyalty is amazing. They develop deep, trusting bonds with owners who treat them fairly and are kind to them.
*Photo credit to the talented Clydene Spencer Forebush - Pictured are Rocky, Bella's sire (black horse in foreground), and Bella (Pinto), on the range in the Onaqui, Utah HMA.
Halfway to Heaven occasionally offers Mustangs for adoption. Check our Adoption page for horses that are currently available. In addition, there are several ways to adopt a living legend! Contact us - we can help.
Ways to Adopt a Mustang
Adoption and Sales Events
The BLM offers wild horses and burros for adoption or purchase at events across the country throughout the year.
BLM maintains a large network of permanent off-range corrals as adoption and purchase centers.
Off-Range Corrals
Private Sales, Mustang Trainers, Rescues and Sanctuaries
Mustangs, whether still untouched or having varying degrees of training, can be found privately through owners. Many owners list horses on Facebook pages devoted to Mustangs. There are also private trainers, rescues and sanctuaries that offer Mustangs for adoption or sale. These can be found via internet searches or on Facebook.
Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue offers help selecting and adopting/purchasing Mustangs. We can gentle your new Mustang at our facility, and help you find a qualified trainer to start your horse under saddle. Contact us if you'd like to discuss this option.
