Ep #57: The Bitter End: How to Zero Out the Adobe Town Herd
August 25, 2025
Ep #58: A Journey for Wild Horses and a Reprieve
September 15, 2025
by Carol J. Walker
Yesterday, the attorneys for American Wild Horse Conservation, Animal Welfare Institute, Kimerlee Curl, Chad Hanson and me, Carol Walker filed a lawsuit to prevent the Bureau of Land Management from proceeding with a roundup to zero out the Salt Wells Creek, Great Divide Basin Herds of wild horses as well as the horses in the Rock Springs portion of the Adobe Town Herd.
This Environmental Assessment, the removal decision for over 3000 wild horses was issued in May 2025 and it follows the Resource Management Plan issued in May 2023 which set the Appropriate Management Level of these herds as zero. The 10th Circuit Court in July 2025 found that the BLM failed to consider “whether under multiple-use principles it can manage wild horses in a manner that achieves and maintains thriving ecological balance…because ignoring thriving natural ecological balance, a requirement of the Wild Horse Act, makes BLM’s decision arbitrary and capricious.” The 10th Circuit remanded the case back to the District Court in Wyoming to determine the correct remedy.
Then, in a startling denial of the pending legal action, the BLM stated that the roundup to zero out the horses in Salt Wells Creek and a portion of Adobe Town would take place starting October 13, 2025. This would not allow time for the court to consider the case.
Our attorney had been in contact with BLM’s attorneys on Monday, discussing the removal plan as well as the lawsuit filed by Friends of Animals last week, and potential lawsuits that might be filed by other organizations.
Then, hours after our lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, our attorney heard from the BLM’s attorneys that the October 13 roundup was cancelled, and that BLM would not proceed with a roundup of these herds until summer of 2026 at the earliest. This is such a huge victory and relief because it gives time to the District Court to make a ruling on remedy for the situation facing these wild horse herds. I am extremely grateful to our attorneys at Eubanks and Associates and to all of the partners on this lawsuit. These wild horses deserve to stay in their homes and live their lives wild and free.
6 Comments
thank God and thank you!!!! We were out at Salt Wells Creek this spring. Absolutely gorgeous family bands!! I could see why they want to get rid of the horses — lush green grasses — I’m guessing they want cattle or some other wildlife (deer, antelope etc.) grazing there so that they can sell tags to hunters.
Good news – which we all need!
Now if the courts just do what they should about this next year.
Thank God and thanks to all of you for all you do for these beautiful wild horses! Now if the courts will support your efforts for next year, that would be great!
These roundups always lead to the death of wonderful animals that should remain on their land. Their impact on the environment is not nearly what cattle are and they were here first
How can I help, this nonsense of prioritizing Rancher over The Wild Horses has to stop.
Thank you thank you thank you! Great job!