There are few places left in America where you can stand quietly and watch truly wild horses living exactly as nature intended. Here in Arizona, we are fortunate enough to witness that every day.

The Salt River wild horses are more than a breathtaking sight. They are families. They are survivors. They are a living part of our history and an irreplaceable part of our landscape.

Wild horses form lasting relationships, care for one another, and live within intricate family bands built on trust and cooperation. Their emotions are evident to anyone willing to slow down and watch.

Perhaps that’s why so many people connect with them. We recognize something of ourselves in them.

For generations these horses have inspired photographers, artists, writers, children, scientists, and millions of visitors who travel from around the world hoping to catch a glimpse of them roaming free. They contribute to Arizona’s tourism, play a natural role in the desert ecosystem by dispersing native seeds and grazing vegetation, and remind us that wild places—and wild things—still exist.

Yet despite everything they represent, they continue to face criticism and are too often blamed for problems they did not create. They are portrayed as something to remove rather than something to cherish.

We see them differently.

We see living beings with families, intelligence, purpose, and an undeniable right to remain where they have lived for generations.

On this National I Love Horses Day, we’d love to hear from you.

What is it about the Salt River wild horses that captures your heart?

They are not expendable. They are not something to be pushed aside.

They are one of Arizona’s greatest treasures, and they are worth protecting—for today, and for every generation still to come. ❤️

PS. That is two of the ‘bad boys” Centurion and Charlie that are the good boys now in the photo 🥰