BLM Concluded Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Gather
Federal officials gathered 301 horses in northwest Colorado to manage population growth on the range.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Large Animals
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The Bureau of Land Management has completed helicopter drive-trap operations in the Sand Wash Basin, resulting in the removal of hundreds of wild horses. The agency transported 245 of the animals to a holding facility in Wyoming.
Why it matters
The federal government is intensifying efforts to manage wild horse populations across the West to prevent overgrazing. These gather operations aim to balance herd sizes with the capacity of public rangelands.
Officials gathered 133 stallions, 130 mares, and 38 foals during the six-day operation. While 245 horses were shipped to a Rock Springs facility, 55 horses were returned to the range and eight mares received fertility control treatments.
The players
Bureau of Land Management
This federal agency is responsible for managing public lands and the Wild Horse and Burro Program.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This federal executive department oversees the allocation of funds for agricultural and land management research and initiatives.
The details
The Bureau of Land Management employed helicopter drive-trap techniques to secure the horses from the northwest Colorado basin. Returned horses were specifically selected to maintain a herd composition of 60% stallions and 40% mares.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: Agency teams conducted initial reconnaissance flights.
September 25, 2026: Active gather operations concluded in the Sand Wash Basin.
September 26, 2026: Shipping, fertility treatment, and release efforts were completed.
Roadmap
These operations represent a continuation of federal efforts to manage wild equine populations through consistent, large-scale removal and relocation strategies. This approach remains the standard mechanism for balancing ecological health on public rangelands against population growth.
Residents in northwest Colorado may observe reduced horse activity in the Sand Wash Basin following the removal of 301 animals. The agency will make eligible horses available for public adoption through its established program.
The takeaway
The federal push for fertility control aims to decrease the reliance on total herd removals over time. Residents can participate in these management goals by considering the adoption of gathered animals through the official program.
Further reading
For more on the management of regional wildlife, visit the Large Animals section.
Live Poll
Do you support the use of helicopter gathers to manage wild horse populations on public lands?
