Improved management actions are needed to protect...
Taxpayer Dollars


American taxpayers pay for the costs of the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program. This program has continually increased in costs over the years, even as the BLM removes fewer and fewer horses and burros from the rangelands. The horses and burros removed from rangelands and placed in holding facilities cost taxpayers about $50 million annually. For a horse that remains in one of these facilities for its entire life, the cost can reach $50,000 per animal.

Growing Costs

​The BLM spent $82.567 million on the horse and burro program in Fiscal Year 2017.  This money was used to remove a small number of horses from the rangelands ($4.2 million), adopt out approximately 3,500 horses ($7.9 million), and care for horses and burro in long- and short-term holding facilities ($48.6 million). Costs continue to increase every year, and horse and burro populations continue to grow.  

Cost to Rangelands and Wildlife

Continuing to leave excess horses and burros on rangelands only exacerbates the costs. The larger the rangeland populations become, the greater the damage they cause to the ecosystem. As rangelands deteriorate, the costs associated with restoring habitat for wildlife and other rangeland uses increases. This can lead to increased costs and time spent implementing state wildlife plans as well as federal measures such as Endangered Species Act listings.
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Taxpayer Dollars Fact Sheet