What’s Happening to the Salt River Wild Horses?
The Salt River wild horses are the historic and majestic creatures roaming the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. They are the pride of the community, a favorite subject of photographers and the icon of the wild, free spirit of Arizona and the American West.
In 2015, when they were threatened with removal, we sounded the alarm and the public rose up in one of the most powerful outpourings of support in state history. Tens of thousands of Arizonans spoke out, and as a result, the Arizona Legislature passed the Salt River Horse Act in 2016 with near-unanimous, bipartisan support.
That law was clear: Salt River wild horses may only be removed for humane reasons — such as injury or suffering — not for population control. But now, in spite of all the progress that has been made,
They are in jeopardy again!
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) has issued a new Request for Proposals requiring the removal and adoption of three healthy adult horses for every foal born — a move that could wipe out the herd and appears to directly violate the Salt River Horse Act.
The Salt River Horse Act states in Subsection B:
“A person shall not interfere with, take, chase, capture, or euthanize a horse that is part of the Salt River horse herd without written authorization from either the department or the county sheriff. The department or the county sheriff may provide written authorization pursuant to this subsection only for humane purposes only.”
And in Subsection G, it further clarifies:
“A Salt River horse is not stray livestock as defined in section 3-1401 and is not subject to sections 3-1371 and 3-1402.” Therefore it appears the AZDA might not have the authority to authorize removals.
And most importantly, **humane management is working** thanks to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) and its 100 volunteers:
• The herd has already been reduced by 40% through humane, science-based methods, from 463 to just 280 horses.
• Births have dropped from 100 foals a year to just 2 through fertility control
• Aging and injured horses are compassionately removed to sanctuary
• Public safety and habitat health are protected every single day
• All of this is done at no cost to taxpayers
The program is nationally recognized as the most successful of its kind, praised by the Science and Conservation Center.
The public has remained overwhelmingly supportive — and the horses are thriving.
Despite this, AZDA’s new RFP appears to be written towards a roundup contractor who removed all of the Alpine wild horses; we believe she would love nothing more than to remove and sell Salt River wild horses like she did with the Alpines, and call it adoption.
We’re in active talks with many Arizona legislators who are stepping up to help. We’re also asking the Attorney General to review the legality of this proposal — and ensure the Salt River Horse Act is upheld.
Our commitment to these cherished wild horses is stronger than ever. Through every legal challenge, policy shift, and attempt to diminish their protections, we’ve stood firm. We’ve worked within the system, prevailed in court, and never once wavered from our mission to protect and humanely manage the Salt River wild horses — and with your support, we never will.
🐎 Help Us Keep them Safe, Wild, and Free
🖊️Please sign the petition to governor Katie Hobbs https://tinyurl.com/SaltRiverWildHorsesPetition
The law is on their side. The public is on their side. Science is on their side.
**Humane wild horse management works — let it continue.**