Federal Wild Horse Sales Surge Under Trump Amid Slaughter Concerns
Summary
Federal sales of protected wild horses have increased significantly under President Donald Trump’s administration. Animal-welfare groups are concerned some horses sold through the government program may end up in the slaughter market. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says sales help reduce horse overcrowding and cut taxpayer costs, but critics worry about the lack of buyer screening and reliance on sales instead of birth control for horse populations.Key Facts
- The BLM’s Sale Authority program allows horses deemed unadoptable to be sold after three adoption attempts fail.
- Horses sold through this program lose legal protections, although buyers must agree not to slaughter them or sell them for slaughter.
- Sales of wild horses rose sharply in 2025, with about 3,700 horses sold, more than double the previous year.
- There are roughly 73,000 wild horses on federal lands and 58,000 in government holding facilities, costing about $100 million per year.
- Selling horses is estimated to save the government about $56 million by avoiding long-term care costs.
- Critics say the program risks horses ending up in slaughter channels because resale buyers are not always checked.
- A federal court stopped the BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program in 2025 due to concerns animals were sold for slaughter.
- Animal groups tracked increases in horse sales and link them to plans for more roundups and efforts to reduce holding populations.
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