Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records request, we discovered that in 2023, a staggering 267 wild horses died at the Fallon (Indian Lakes) Off-Range Holding Corral in Nevada. This facility, which is the agency’s largest short-term holding facility in Nevada, has an average population of a little over 3,000 animals, with a capacity to hold over 7,000. This means that in just one year, 11% of the population died. 

Here’s what we’ve uncovered:

• 106 horses died due to unknown causes. The records note they were all “found dead in their pens.”
• 23 died before they were branded, vaccinated and entered into the BLM’s system. 
• 30 died due to treatable conditions like eye abnormalities and cryptorchidism.
• 28 died from gelding complications, which is a routine procedure with a low mortality rate in domestic horses. 
• 49 alarmingly lost their lives due to severe injuries, such as broken bones.

These are not isolated incidents. AWHC recently exposed 23 wild horse deaths in just 24 days due to suspected botulism poisoning at yet another Nevada holding facility. And in 2022, a devastating outbreak of Equine Influenza claimed the lives of 145 wild horses in a Colorado holding facility. And now, with plans to remove over 20,000 more wild horses and burros this year, we know there will be many more casualties like this.

Jack, these horrifying stories were only brought to light thanks to our investigations team. They serve as a wake-up call to the public and policymakers alike. The system needs to be reformed. Without our vital investigative work, these issues would remain hidden and unaddressed. 

This important work would not be possible without the support of wild horse and burro allies like you. Your donations fuel our Legal and Investigations Fund and empower us to take action to reveal the truth about what is happening to our beloved wild horses and burros in the wild, during roundups, in holding pens and as a result of the BLM’s adoption and sale programs. Can you chip in a contribution today to power this vital work?