The wild horse controversy

Differing viewpoints regarding wild (feral) horse management have resulted in majorcontroversy for public land management. While the livestock industry has not advocated the eradication of wild horses, much of the publicity on the issue has given this misleading impression. The livestock industry has advocated wild horse management. Wild horse herds have, in some cases, presented major management conflicts for ranchers when they have been allowed to multiply to uncontrolled numbers. In many areas, wild horse management has been secondary in priority to completion of environmental impact statements. During this interim period, wild horse herds have gone without management. Livestock numbers have been regulated by management agencies in accordance with forage production. Wild horses also must be managed within the carrying capacity of the rangeland. Management plans developed and implemented jointly by all interested factions present the best viable solution to the wild horse controversy.