2026 Wild Horse and Burro Population Estimates
As of March 1, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management estimates 85,466 wild horses and burros on public lands across ten western states which is more than three times the total Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 25,592 animals. This means approximately 59,874 animals are considered in excess of sustainable range capacity.
Wild horses account for 61,523 of the total population, while burros number 23,943. Nevada holds by far the largest population, with an estimated 42,572 animals against an AML of 12,811. Arizona’s burro population is particularly over-capacity, with 13,546 burros against an AML of 1,436.
The BLM manages 175 Herd Management Areas (HMAs) across 25.6 million acres, with an additional 351 Herd Areas that are no longer actively managed for wild horses and burros. Of the 175 HMAs, only 43, roughly one in four, are currently at or within their established AML.
Population counts are conducted primarily through simultaneous double-count aerial surveys. The data does not reflect any gathers or foal crops occurring after March 1, 2025, meaning current on-the-ground numbers may differ from these estimates.
See the full estimate here: