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New Arizona contract with group calls for big reduction of Salt River horses

By Steven Sarabia

Published: Feb. 19, 2026 at 7:51 PM EST

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — After months of reviewing proposals, the state has once again awarded management of the Salt River horses to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group. However, the new contract with the state comes at a heavy cost: the removal of horses.

“We are grateful that we have the contract, but I have to be honest: it’s going to be heartbreaking for us,” said Simone Netherlands, the founder of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.

The state is requiring the removal of horses, something Netherlands said is not ideal. She said if the state is demanding this to be done she knows her group will do it the right way and humanely.

“It’s hard to express how happy and how sad at the same time. This is against what our mission is. We’ve always fought for these horses to stay exactly where they are, but to prevent the worse outcome, we had to compromise,” Netherlands said.

While the horses are on state land, the state contracts their management to a third party, and since 2018 that’s been the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group. Now the state is demanding horses be removed. Their target number is 120, which is less than half the current herd, which sits at 274.

Netherlands said they don’t have to remove all these horses immediately; instead, they agreed with the state to remove 25 horses every year for the next five years.

Netherlands said they plan to move the horses they select to sanctuaries across the state or to land where they can still be visible to people. “It hurts our hearts to have to do it, but if we have to, we have to do it,” Netherlands said.

The state is giving them until the end of the year to have no more than 243 horses in the herd, or risk losing their contract.

Salt River wild horse population to be cut by more than half under new state contract

A management group has five years to relocate more than 100 horses.

Author: Chase Golightly
Published: 4:24 AM MST February 20, 2026
Updated: 4:24 AM MST February 20, 2026

PHOENIX — The iconic Salt River wild horse population is set to be reduced by more than half under a new contract between the state and the management group that cares for the horses.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture awarded a new contract to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group requiring the herd be reduced from 274 wild horses to 120 within the next five years, following directives from the U.S. Forest Service.

Horses that have drawn crowds from all over the country for years.

“Seeing the horses, yeah, I mean, it’s phenomenal,” Linda Musil said. “I don’t know any other place like this.”

Malie Alday from Mesa takes pictures of the horses.

“Seeing the horses and the way they live and how they thrive to survive. It’s just, I don’t know, it’s an honor to be around them,” Alday said.

Learning that there won’t be as many in the future is something she doesn’t want to see happen.

“That’s going to be very heartbreaking for all of us that loved the horses, fell in love with them, photographed them every day. You know, it’s part of us too, because they’re part of history,” Alday said.

Simone Netherlands, the founder of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, has cared for the horses for years. She said winning the contract is bittersweet.

“We’re happy and very sad at the same time. It’s going to be a very tough thing for us to do, after fighting for all these years to keep them here,” said Netherlands.

Netherlands said the group has already reduced the population from 450 horses through birth control methods. Now, the plan is to relocate about 25 horses a year safely and humanely until 2030.

“Depending on how many horses die, how many horses are born, we have to get to that number, and that is what we committed to,” she said.

Netherlands said the group has land for the horses for the first year. After that, it is searching for additional property.

“We’re actually looking for land that we can still manage them on, like a lease of some sort, so that the public can still come see them,” she said.

She acknowledged the emotional toll the change may bring.

“There are going to be people that are heartbroken over losing some of these horses, and we are too, but we do want to assure people that we’re going to do this in the utmost humane matter possible, and we guarantee that none of these horses will ever end up in a bad place,” Netherlands said.

The group plans to begin the relocation process in September, meaning this summer will be the last time people floating down the Salt River will see the full herd.

What’s Happening to the Salt River Wild Horses?

BREAKING: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group awarded AZDA Contract with New Herd Management Plan

Salt River, AZ – February 18, 2026 – The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) will continue its humane management of the Salt River wild horses after being awarded a new five-year contract by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA). However, under the new management plan, the herd is set to be reduced from 274 horses to 120 horses.

Contract Requirement

Last year, the Arizona Department of Agriculture issued a Request for Proposals that, for the first time, included a mandate for “humane removal of horses from the herd”.  SRWHMG needed to include the removal requirement in their proposal, or risk losing the contract to a competitor with a very different management approach.

A Difficult Decision

“After many years of protection, agreeing to removals was incredibly difficult,” said Simone Netherlands, founder and president of SRWHMG. “But considering the alternative contractor, we determined the herd would be worse off without us. For their ultimate safety, we felt we needed to compromise.”

Competing Contractor Context

The competing bidder was the contractor who has previously removed hundreds of Alpine horses from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, many of whom were sent to auctions in Texas. SRWHMG currently has litigation pending related to those removals and regarding the treatment of those horses and the contractor’s processes. “If we had not submitted our proposal, the state would have turned management over to a contractor whose approach focuses on large-scale removals,” Netherlands said. “We could not take that risk with Arizona’s beloved Salt River wild horses.”

A More Humane Approach

Under the new contract, SRWHMG will meet the population target through gradual relocations to pre-vetted sanctuaries, including its own Prescott sanctuary, rather than large-scale roundups. Fertility control will keep the mandated removals as small as possible, approximately 25 horses annually, until the target population is reached.

Land and Public Access

The management group says it needs support and is actively seeking land or leases closer to the Salt River to relocate horses while keeping family bands intact and the public able to view them. A previous proposal offered by the City of Scottsdale to provide sanctuary space on the Sonoran Preserve was voted down. “The horses need a good place to go where they can stay together and the public can still come see them,” said Simone Netherlands.

Herd History, Fertility, and Legal Protection

The Salt River Wild Horses have roamed the Tonto National Forest for centuries and are protected under Arizona state law passed in 2017. SRWHMG has managed the herd under contract since 2018, and through its fertility control program, the herd has already been reduced from 450 to 274 horses without removals. The organization takes care of every aspect of humane management, including rescue when needed, a feed program during drought, fence maintenance to keep them off the roads, and a habitat improvement and a public education program. The non-profit is funded entirely by public donations, as the contract provides no compensation and no government grants.

“We care about each and every Salt River wild horse, and we know the public does too” said Simone Netherlands. “We thank the AZDA for making the right decision and entrusting us with their continued humane management.”

Follow this link and put Salt River horses in the search bar to find the new contract and management plan.

https://app.az.gov/page.aspx/en/ctr/contract_browse_public

Follow this link to find the lawsuit pertaining to the alpine wild horses and the order from the judge denying dismissal.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGpmffbVk4O7WjKQYWlQZXWEghOi72RQ/view?usp=sharing

We need your help

We are working to set a humane, science-based standard for wild horse management everywhere. But protecting wild horses is not a one-time effort — it is an ongoing, daily responsibility.

We do not receive government funding. We are not paid to do this work. Every rescue, every veterinary call, every mile walked in the field, and every bale of hay is made possible by supporters like you. Because we operate with extremely low overhead — no expensive offices and no large salary structure like bigger organizations — approximately 95% of every dollar donated goes directly to the care and protection of the horses. We are proud of how much we accomplish with so little.

That is also why we need your donation so badly, it directly supports our humane management, emergency response, emergency feed, veterinary care, care of our rescues, and the long-term protection of the herd.

If you love the Salt River wild horses and want to help, please consider becoming a monthly guardian or just making a one time contribution of any kind. You can even create a lasting legacy for the Salt River wild horses by including SRWHMG in your will. Even a small bequest ensures future security for Salt River wild horses!

Sponsor a Salt River Wild Horse
Leave a Legacy
Save an Alpine Wild Horse
Become a Salt River Wild Horse Guardian
Here are more fun ways in which you can help us make a difference!
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Or send a check to:
PO BOX 64264
Phoenix, AZ 85082

Thank you for your consideration of a donation to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the federal tax ID: 46-5280587

In this life, the greatest wisdom is knowing right from wrong; the greatest purpose is fighting for what is right; and the greatest reward is knowing you make a difference.

salt river wild horses

Our humane fertility control program has reduced the foaling rate from over 100 foals a year, to just one or two per year. The low birthrate keeps the herd in balance with it’s habitat, as well as with government goals.

SRWHMG is showing that there is a better way, did you know that without this program, we would have had more than 1000 Salt River wild horses today? We shutter to imagine what would have happened to them all. This is why we say;” an unborn horse is a horse that doesn’t suffer.  Our way is a win-win for the public, for the government, and most of all for the horses themselves, who get to stay in their home as a result.

LEARN MORE

Our programs are in the news a lot, watch the latest from Fox10!

Arizona forest refuses offer from group to help control wild horse population. Here’s the reason why

An Arizona group has had some success in controlling the Salt River Wild Horse population, but as they set their sights on wild horses in other parts of Arizona, some officials are refusing the group’s offer.

READ MORE
Managing Wild Horses Humanely

We, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), perform the scope of work under contract with the State and we just received the new 5 year contract.

Humane management includes many different aspects, from administering humane birth control, to rescuing injured wild horses when needed, to fencing maintenance which keeps them safe from the roads. With our large volunteer force we monitor the horses daily and we are available for emergencies 24/7.

Components of successful wild horse management:

  1. A data collection program that monitors the health of the herd and keeps records of each individual in it.
  2. A fertility control program backed by the Science and Conservation Center to stabilize population growth.
  3. A rescue program for critically injured wild horses and humane euthanasia in cases where a horse would otherwise die a cruel death. (See Valentina with her horrible broken leg.)
  4. An emergency response program, including a feed program during severe drought. We have been able to sustain the entire herd in good condition even during the worst of natural conditions.
  5. A habitat improvement program; cleanups and downed barbed wire removal plus any other safety hazards to wild horses.
  6. A road patrol program to keep horses off the roads and out of dangerous areas. (and close gates that people forget to close)
  7. Fencing maintenance program, which is important in keeping horses safely behind the fences.

SRWHMG does not receive any funds or grants from the government and we do not charge them for what we do. Our programs enjoy broad public support, and rely entirely on YOU, the public.

The Salt River wild horses are an economic boon for the State of Arizona and a historic treasure that we have to carry into the future.

What is Humane Birth Control and Why is it Important?

We use PZP (Porcine Zona Pelucida) immuno-contraception to stabilize population growth. It is darted in the field by our certified volunteers, without capturing wild horses. PZP is the only acceptable form of birth control for wild horses, as it does not harm nor influence their hormones and therefore does not harm or influence their reproductive behaviors and herd dynamics.

Any other form of birth control, such as geldings or overie-ectomies, are cruel, expensive, and will influence their hormones, which is why we do not support those forms of birth control for wild horses.

Birth control is important, because the herd is fenced in by civilization on all sides and their resources are limited; therefore they cannot grow exponentially. The goal of this program is for each horse born in the wild, to be able to live out its life in the wild.

PLEASE Join us in this historic movement to ensure that these beautiful wild horses remain wild and free and managed humanely.

Giving Care and Sanctuary:

We operate a sanctuary for the wild horses we rescue. While wild horses are very good at healing and at taking care of themselves in the wild, nature can be very cruel sometimes. When there is unnecessary suffering and we can do something about it, we will. Most of the time, the  rescues are necessary due to human influences, such as barbed wire, cattle guards, traffic or accidental human interference. Once we rescue a suffering wild horse we are committed to providing that horse sanctuary and a quality life. But we cannot do this without you. Please consider becoming a sponsor for one of our wonderful rescued Salt River wild horses.

SO MANY WAYS TO HELP

Sponsor Rosy SRWHMG
Sponsor Rosy
Sponsor Peanut SRWHMG
Sponsor Peanut
ALL HORSES TO SPONSOR
YOU can make a difference!

All of the SRWHMG non-profit programs are dedicated to safeguarding wild horse habitat and using humane standards of treatment.  Every dollar of your tax deductible donation will go towards the horses directly. To donate  click here.  For checks, our mailing address is: SRWHMG, PO BOX 64264, Phoenix, AZ 85082. You donation saves lives. Thank you.

There is no reward greater, than knowing you have made a difference.

Connect with us through our social media pages;  follow srwhmg on facebook  follow srwhmg on twitter  

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Background: In 2015, when the impound notice for their removal was posted by the Forest Service, we knew that it would take an unprecedented public outrage to prevent this disastrous fate. We gave it our all; we alerted the media, we held many rallies, and we filed an injunction in federal court. What happened next, was amazing, it was the unprecedented public outrage we needed, and then some- the people of Arizona and its politicians gave these iconic wild horses a voice. Eventually, the Forest Service agreed to rescind the impound notice. Together, we changed the course of history for the Salt River wild horses, who now have a legal right to live on the Salt River in Arizona and are protected under State law. We are now under contract with the AZDA to manage the horses humanely. More than 100 news pieces can be found when you search “Salt River Wild Horse Management Group” , including pieces on CNN, the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Times and local stations ABC15, FOX10, CBS5/3tv and 12News. It is important to remember this public outrage that was a reflection of how cherished this herd is. The public wants to see these wild horses treated humanely in their historic habitat.

more saved

MORI SAVED!

On the top of a steep mountain, three month old Mori stood all alone, disoriented and blinded with a broken skull. We rescued her on Nov 14th 2017. Her prognosis was bleak..

about salt river wild horse management group

ABOUT US

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) is an Arizona non-profit organization 501(c)3, dedicated to monitor, study and protect the Salt River wild horses, who reside in the Tonto National Forest, Arizona…

volunteer to rescue horses

VOLUNTEER

There are so many jobs to do, from monitoring horses on the river, to fixing fences to keep horses off the roads, to organizing and fundraising. We have sales booths and events and also there is lots of mucking to do at our Facility!

Our Mission: Ensure Their Long Term Protection and Humane Management

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.

These wild horses were brought into the limelight during  our epic battle  for their protection; the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group together with the public gave them a voice. We worked with congress and we worked toward positive solutions with Federal and State governments. It worked; while almost gone forever, today the Salt River wild horses are protected pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 3-1491 (aka the Salt River Horse Act).  We are now under contract with the AZ Department of Agriculture (AZDA) to manage this herd humanely. This partnership between the federal government, the State Government and a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) is a one of its kind and our groundbreaking program is finding the balance between it all.

So close to being gone forever, the Salt River wild horses now roam peacefully along the banks of the lower Salt River, enjoyed by the thousands of visitors to the Tonto National Forest. Together, we changed the course of history, together we have the responsibility to manage them humanely as part of our national heritage.

Our Mission: Ensure Their Long Term Protection and Humane Management

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.

These wild horses were brought into the limelight during  our epic battle  for their protection; the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group together with the public gave them a voice. We worked with congress and we worked toward positive solutions with Federal and State governments. It worked; while almost gone forever, today the Salt River wild horses are protected pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 3-1491 (aka the Salt River Horse Act).  We are now under contract with the AZ Department of Agriculture (AZDA) to manage this herd humanely. This partnership between the federal government, the State Government and a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) is a one of its kind and our groundbreaking program is finding the balance between it all.

So close to being gone forever, the Salt River wild horses now roam peacefully along the banks of the lower Salt River, enjoyed by the thousands of visitors to the Tonto National Forest. Together, we changed the course of history, together we have the responsibility to manage them humanely as part of our national heritage.

NEW!