Arizona Department of Agriculture Signs Agreement to Reduce Salt River Wild Horse Herd to 120 Over Five Years

Wild Horse Advocates Rally as State Department Unveils Management Plan

PHOENIX — More than 50 supporters gathered at the Arizona Capitol on April 7 to rally behind the Salt River wild horses, arguing that the state's new management agreement threatens the herd without sufficient justification.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) announced on April 11 a contract with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group that would reduce the herd from approximately 274 horses to 120 over a five-year period.

The plan balances the limited range resources available while maintaining genetic integrity of the herd, according to the Agriculture Department. Relocated horses would only be placed in sanctuaries approved by the department.

"We want the governor to stand up and protect the Salt River horses like Governor Doug Ducey did when we fought for them ten years ago. She hasn't done anything yet as far as standing up to protect them," said Susie Bell, an advocate who is a member of the Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses group. "We're calling on her to do that as part of the effort in trying to stop the removals of over half of the Salt River wild horses with no justifiable imperative to do so at this time."

Bell and other supporters argued the removal represents more than half of the current herd without adequate scientific justification. They contend there are no peer-reviewed studies determining how many horses can be supported on the approximately 19,000 acres where the horses currently graze along the riparian areas of the Salt River.

Contract Management Approach

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, which won the contract through a procurement process in February, relies on two methods to manage the herd: natural attrition and birth control delivered via dart.

The department stated it has never mandated a specific herd reduction target, noting that the contractor proposed reducing the herd to 120 over the term of the five-year contract.

"AZDA is committed to preserving the health, safety, and integrity of the Salt River Horse Herd and is statutorily mandated to humanely manage the herd," the department wrote in an email. "Humanely and sustainably managing the herd requires balancing what the ecosystem can sustain as well as the size and diversity of the herd."

A spokesperson for the Governor's Office said the Arizona Department of Agriculture conducted a thorough procurement process to select the partner and that the state remains committed to sustainably managing the herd to protect long-term health of both the horses and their habitat.

Federal Coordination Challenges

The department clarified that AZDA does not have authority over wild horses managed on Bureau of Land Management lands and is not coordinating with BLM on removal of horses in Arizona.

A BLM Arizona spokesperson confirmed they are removing some burros from Lake Pleasant and Black Mountain Herd Management Areas, but stated they are not removing horses from herd management areas near Kingman or Yuma.

The department noted that their management of the Salt River Horse Herd came after a federal plan to remove large amounts of horses from the Tonto National Forest. They argue their current approach serves to prevent future federal efforts that could result in significant removal of horses.

Legislative Push for Protection

Newly appointed Republican Rep. Cody Reim is introducing a striker amendment to provide clarity and definitions in the existing Salt River Wild Horse Act passed in 2016. Reim was appointed to fill former Rep. Joseph Chaplik's seat after Chaplik resigned to run for Congress.

The draft is still in progress, but Reim plans to introduce it as a floor amendment. The proposal would provide protection for a certain amount of time while genetic diversity studies can take place. Reim reported he has gotten mostly bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

"As a constituent, it's an issue that I followed over 10 years ago," Reim said. "Apparently the interpretation of the current law that we're under now is being interpreted to favor removals, which was never the intent of the legislation."

Bell called Reim's appointment a wonderful surprise since advocates needed a hero to champion the cause.

Ecotourism and Cultural Significance

Advocates emphasize the cultural and ecological importance of the horses, noting they attract visitors from around the country and the world. Ecotourism has become a booming business in wilderness areas, Bell said.

She usually visits the sandy riverside area three times a week unless she's at the Capital fighting for the horses. The group has been involved in this fight for the last decade, with renewed attention due to the new management agreement.

A spokesperson for the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group did not respond to requests for comment.

Scientific Research Remains Limited

While advocates say more peer-reviewed research is needed to show wild horses can benefit ecosystems, the current scientific consensus on carrying capacity for the Salt River area remains inconclusive.

The department noted it considered various proposals to reduce herd size, including continuation of fertility control and gradual, humane relocation of horses.

The management agreement reflects ongoing tensions between ecological concerns, cultural significance, and animal welfare in the fight over Arizona's wild horse population.

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Sources:

• Agreement aims to reduce Salt River horse herd to 120 in 5 years | Arizona Capitol Times, https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/04/11/agreement-aims-to-reduce-salt-river-horse-herd-to-120-in-5-years/