Wild Horse and Burro Week
Join the Bureau of Land Management in honoring the legacy of America’s wild horses and burros and recognize the importance of protecting and managing these iconic species. This special week, centered around Velma “Wild Horse Annie” Johnston’s birthday, March 5, is an opportunity to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and inspire action for the future.
Celebrating Wild Horse Annie’s Legacy
Wild Horse Annie’s dedication to wild horse and burro protection sparked a movement that led to the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Thanks to her tireless advocacy, these animals became recognized as a vital part of America’s heritage.
Wild Horse Annie also understood the importance of balance—ensuring that wild herds could thrive alongside healthy rangelands. This concept was enshrined into the Act, which combines protection with responsible management to sustain both the animals and their habitat for future generations.
“I will remember that I used the word 'Range.'
...we've got to protect the Range."
Velma "Wild Horse Annie" Johnston
Management and Protection: A Commitment to Healthy Herds and Healthy Rangelands
Today, the BLM manages 175 wild horse and burro herds across millions of acres of public lands. The BLM remains committed to maintaining the health of wild horse and burro herds while preserving the rangelands they depend on. Rapid population growth and chronic overpopulation poses challenges to both animal welfare and ecosystem health, making proactive management essential to the health and well-being of wild horses and burros on public lands.
To carry out the mission of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the BLM employs science-based strategies to support herd health and rangeland sustainability. Additionally, the BLM’s Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program ensures that wild horses and burros receive humane care throughout every stage of management—from the open range to their new adoptive homes.
2025 Wild Horse and Burro Week
Get Involved and Be Part of the Solution! Celebrate Wild Horse and Burro Week March 2-8, 2025.
Wild Horse and Burro Week is not just a time for reflection—it’s a call to action! Whether you choose to adopt, volunteer, donate, or simply learn more, your involvement makes a difference in safeguarding these iconic animals. In 2025, we encourage you to learn more about wild horses and burros and get involved in whatever way is most appealing to you!
Adopt a wild horse or burro and provide a loving home while supporting herd management efforts to keep wild horses and burros and their habitat healthy. The BLM is hosting three BurroPalooza adoptions events for your chance to bring one home!
Marana, Arizona - Marana Heritage Center: March 1 - 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Willcox, Arizona - Quail Park: March 4, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and March 5, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Las Vegas, Nevada - Oliver Ranch: March 7 - 8, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Or take this time to prepare to adopt a wild horse or burro through the BLM’s Online Corral! Hundreds of wild horses and burros will be offered for adoption March 11-18, with pick-up locations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Mississippi!
Volunteer with the BLM or with organizations that assist with adoptions, fertility control programs, and public outreach.
Learn more about the BLM’s volunteer opportunities, or contact a BLM office near you!
Train wild horses and burros by applying to be a Branded Partner with Forever Branded. Forever Branded is partnering with trainers who share our vision of training and placing wild horses and burros into good, loving homes.
Visit a wild horse and burro herd management area and see these majestic animals roaming public lands! The BLM manages 175 different herd management areas on public lands across ten Western states. Visit our Maps page to find out where! Just be sure to be safe before you venture out – Know Before You Go and practice good Outdoor Ethics. And remember – if the wild horse or burro notices you’re there, you’re probably too close.
Or, if you cannot visit the range in person, how about virtually? The Wild Horse Experience takes you to the heart of wild horse country with 360° so you can experience standing with the wild horses. Check out this virtual reality experience today!
Take a trip to wild horse country and stand with the wild horses from the comfort of your own home! This virtual reality experience shows you what life is like for wild horses on public lands. The high deserts of Nevada and Utah receive very little rain and snow, making life a struggle. Yet, wild horses have managed to make a home and thrive in many of these parched environments, living off of seasonal ponds fed by snowmelt and natural springs that can only produce a limited quantity of water. These scenes emphasize the importance of managing populations at appropriate levels, to ensure all animals have enough food and water to survive.
Stay informed and spread awareness about wild horses and burros and the importance of responsible management. Follow the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program on Facebook and X
Download educational materials to help spread awareness and inform the next generation of wild horse and burro enthusiasts.
Share your Wild Horse and Burro Story! We want to hear from adopters and all wild horse and burro fans. Send your written stories and photos to wildhorse@blm.gov with the subject line MY WILD HORSE (or BURRO) STORY. For best results, stories should include your and your horse or burro's name, location (state) and at least one good photograph of the animal, you with the animal, or some other activity you'd like to convey. Please include at least one photograph depicting the freeze mark. Stories should be 300-500 words in length. We will collect these stories and share them on social media and our website over the next year to inspire others to adopt or purchase!
Read about the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program and hear from adopters who have given a good home to a wild horse or burro