Free wild horse off-range pasture tours in Oklahoma

The Bureau of Land Management will host two free two-hour public tours of a wild horse off-range pasture near Hominy, Oklahoma, on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The goal is to allow public access to the private facility to learn more about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program and the quality of care provided to animals off range. Attendees will view more than 2,500 wild horses roaming approximately 26,000 acres of grassland in northeastern Oklahoma.

The animals cared for at the Hominy off-range pasture were removed from overpopulated herds as part of BLM’s mission to protect and manage America’s wild horses and burros on public lands. The off-range pasture, known as Gray Horse, is a private ranch under contract with the government to feed and care for federally protected wild horses in a natural free-roaming environment.

Participants on the tour will also have the opportunity to virtually visit western public rangelands where wild horses roam through the use of a virtual reality educational kiosk presented by BLM's partner, Mustang Champions, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the adoption and placement of American mustangs into good homes. The educational kiosk includes stunning real-life visuals of wild horses and their habitat, up-to-date information about the Wild Horse and Burro Program and highlights of the BLM's efforts to manage and protect these iconic species on public lands. 
 
Attendees must register in advance to secure a seat, and space is limited. Tour buses will transport attendees to the off-range pasture from a nearby parking and loading area off site. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. No personal vehicles will be allowed on the private property except for disability accommodation.

Cameras and video recorders are welcomed and encouraged. Other personal items may also be brought along, including non-alcoholic drinks in sealable containers. Buses will be air conditioned, but attendees are advised to dress appropriately for the summer season, as there will be stops along the tour route for attendees to step off the buses for better views. Portable restrooms will be available on site and on the tour buses.

Registration Details

Tour times: 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Central Time; check-in begins one hour before each tour; boarding begins 30 minutes before each departure. Drive time to the tour site is approximately 15 minutes.

Parking, check-in and loading location: Woodland High School parking lot, 100 N. 6^th St., Fairfax, OK 74637

Make reservation: Call 866-468-7826 or e-mail wildhorse@blm.gov. Please specify your desired tour time and number of people in your party. Indicate any special accommodations you may require (e.g. wheelchair ramp). Make note of your confirmation number and bring it with you.

Reservation deadline: Monday, June 17, 2024

The BLM manages wild horses and burros on 177 herd management areas covering 26.9 million acres of public land in 10 Western states. Our mission is to ensure healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. With no natural predators capable of controlling herd growth, herd sizes grow rapidly - potentially doubling every four to five years - and can quickly overwhelm the available forage and water, if not managed.

As of March 2024, the on-range population of wild horses and burros was estimated at 73,520 animals, which is three times the appropriate management level, or that number of wild horses and burros that is consistent with available forage and water. BLM seeks to achieve appropriate levels through various means, primarily by gathering and removing excess animals from overpopulated herds. Many of these animals are placed into private care either through adoption or sale. Off-range pastures serve as a long-term home for animals not placed into private care. As of March 2024, approximately 40,000 wild horses were held in off-range pastures.

For more information, please contact the Wild Horse and Burro Program.