Types of Wild Mustang Horses in the United States

BLM Mustangs

BLM Mustangs are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). They are the horses that roam in federally protected herd management areas in the western United States.

Forest Service Mustangs

When the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed in 1971, some areas were managed by BLM and some were in the care of the Forest Service. The US Forest Service is also responsible for managing wild horses on their land.

State-Owned Mustangs

There are wild horses that also roam in various states across the United States. These horse populations are managed by the state in which they roam. Each band of horses is typically named for the area in which it roams.

National Park Service Mustangs

The more places you look in America the more you realize how integral wild horses to our country. In this section, we’ll look at the wild horses under the care of the National Park Service.

Mustangs on Tribal Lands

Wild horses can also be found on tribal lands. Unlike the federally managed herds, mustangs on tribal lands have no protections from slaughter. They are not part of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.