These wild animals are defined by Federal law as: "unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming horse or burro found on Western public rangelands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). 

A wild horse herd can double its size in about 4 years.  Currently there are approximately 31,000 wild burros and mustangs on public lands.  To prevent the wild herds from overpopulating their environment, the BLM takes in the excess horses and burros and offers them for adoption to qualified people.  

Unfortunately, there has not been enough interest in wild horse and burro adoption to keep up with the number of animals taken in each year to prevent overpopulation.  Today, about 28,000 wild horses and burros are in captivity.  This costs taxpayers about 19.6 million dollars a year to care for these animals.

Organizations, such as the Palmetto Mustang Association, are necessary to help increase the animals adoptability by making them easier to handle, and by making the adoption process easier through public education. 

If you would like to make a contribution to the Palmetto Mustang Association, or are interested in the Mustang Training Program at Hickory Hill Stables, please call Karrilynn Savage at 843-209-1171.

For more information on the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program call toll free:

1-866-4-MUSTANGS

  or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov