Concerns Rise Over Wild Horses Sold for Slaughter Amid New Regulations
In August, the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF) expressed serious concern regarding a New York Times report detailing an increase in the sale of federally protected wild horses to slaughter facilities. This disturbing trend is highlighted by the revelation that a single horse trader was able to acquire nearly 500 wild horses at an alarming price of just $25 each. Such practices underscore the failures inherent in current protections afforded to wild horses and burros sold by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The foundation for these practices can be traced back to the Burns Amendment of 2005, which significantly weakened the protections that were once guaranteed to wild horses and burros under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The amendment effectively allows for the sale of wild horses over the age of 10, as well as those that have been unsuccessfully offered for adoption three times, to be sold at public auctions to the highest bidder, opening the floodgates for exploitation.
Historically, this has led to numerous wild horses being sold to 'kill buyers,' with many ending up in slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. The contracts used in these sales carried weak stipulations that prohibited buyers from "knowingly" selling these animals for slaughter, a clause that is virtually impossible to enforce given the ambiguity of intent.
In 2022, RTF participated in dialogues with the BLM and other stakeholders addressing the issue of 'horse flipping,' a practice seen in the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP). The AIP rewarded adopters with $1,000 for taking in wild horses or burros, but the incentive was exploited when some adopters quickly sold their new equines to kill buyers shortly after receiving the adoption fee. This issue led to a judicial shutdown of the AIP in March 2025. However, the existing sales program continued to provide an avenue for bad actors to profit from these animals.
Sadly, RTF documented instances where BLM-branded wild horses were being resold at auctions notorious for being filled with kill buyers, often within just a day of purchase. In response, RTF has actively reported these activities to the BLM and engaged in discussions aimed at reforming policies that would better protect these equines from such exploitation.
Recent changes to BLM's sales policy aimed at tightening these regulations include updated contracts that hold buyers legally accountable for any sales to slaughterhouses, either directly or indirectly. This means that the previous loophole allowing buyers to claim ignorance regarding the fate of the animals they purchased has been closed. Furthermore, BLM has increased the sales fee from $25 to $125, which may deter some unscrupulous buyers from participating.
While RTF acknowledges these amendments as progressive steps towards resolving the current crisis, they emphasize that the true effectiveness of these measures depends heavily on strict enforcement and the imposition of real consequences for those who fail to comply. Maintaining vigilance, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability is crucial to prevent federal protections from being undermined.
Moreover, the New York Times report emphasizes the urgent need for Congress to pass the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. This legislation, championed by Return to Freedom, aims to permanently prohibit horse slaughter in the United States and prevent the export of American horses for slaughter abroad. The founder of Return to Freedom, Neda DeMayo, said, "The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that wild horses and burros removed from our public lands are not subsequently funneled into the slaughter pipeline. Policy reforms are a step forward, but lasting protection will require rigorous enforcement and, ultimately, federal legislation ending horse slaughter."
RTF has been tirelessly advocating for the reform of BLM's sales policy. Their dedicated efforts include investigating how loopholes have been exploited, gathering evidence of wild horses being sold into the slaughter pipeline, and collaborating with partners and advocates to pressure BLM for stronger protections and greater accountability. As a national nonprofit organization, RTF is committed to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America's wild horses and burros through sanctuary, education, advocacy, and conservation initiatives. The sanctuary they operate currently provides refuge for 500 rescued mustangs and burros, and the organization continues to support humane and science-based solutions for safeguarding these iconic animals on their range while preserving their natural behavior, family bonds, and genetic diversity.
The foundation for these practices can be traced back to the Burns Amendment of 2005, which significantly weakened the protections that were once guaranteed to wild horses and burros under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The amendment effectively allows for the sale of wild horses over the age of 10, as well as those that have been unsuccessfully offered for adoption three times, to be sold at public auctions to the highest bidder, opening the floodgates for exploitation.
Historically, this has led to numerous wild horses being sold to 'kill buyers,' with many ending up in slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. The contracts used in these sales carried weak stipulations that prohibited buyers from "knowingly" selling these animals for slaughter, a clause that is virtually impossible to enforce given the ambiguity of intent.
In 2022, RTF participated in dialogues with the BLM and other stakeholders addressing the issue of 'horse flipping,' a practice seen in the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP). The AIP rewarded adopters with $1,000 for taking in wild horses or burros, but the incentive was exploited when some adopters quickly sold their new equines to kill buyers shortly after receiving the adoption fee. This issue led to a judicial shutdown of the AIP in March 2025. However, the existing sales program continued to provide an avenue for bad actors to profit from these animals.
Sadly, RTF documented instances where BLM-branded wild horses were being resold at auctions notorious for being filled with kill buyers, often within just a day of purchase. In response, RTF has actively reported these activities to the BLM and engaged in discussions aimed at reforming policies that would better protect these equines from such exploitation.
Recent changes to BLM's sales policy aimed at tightening these regulations include updated contracts that hold buyers legally accountable for any sales to slaughterhouses, either directly or indirectly. This means that the previous loophole allowing buyers to claim ignorance regarding the fate of the animals they purchased has been closed. Furthermore, BLM has increased the sales fee from $25 to $125, which may deter some unscrupulous buyers from participating.
While RTF acknowledges these amendments as progressive steps towards resolving the current crisis, they emphasize that the true effectiveness of these measures depends heavily on strict enforcement and the imposition of real consequences for those who fail to comply. Maintaining vigilance, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability is crucial to prevent federal protections from being undermined.
Moreover, the New York Times report emphasizes the urgent need for Congress to pass the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. This legislation, championed by Return to Freedom, aims to permanently prohibit horse slaughter in the United States and prevent the export of American horses for slaughter abroad. The founder of Return to Freedom, Neda DeMayo, said, "The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that wild horses and burros removed from our public lands are not subsequently funneled into the slaughter pipeline. Policy reforms are a step forward, but lasting protection will require rigorous enforcement and, ultimately, federal legislation ending horse slaughter."
RTF has been tirelessly advocating for the reform of BLM's sales policy. Their dedicated efforts include investigating how loopholes have been exploited, gathering evidence of wild horses being sold into the slaughter pipeline, and collaborating with partners and advocates to pressure BLM for stronger protections and greater accountability. As a national nonprofit organization, RTF is committed to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America's wild horses and burros through sanctuary, education, advocacy, and conservation initiatives. The sanctuary they operate currently provides refuge for 500 rescued mustangs and burros, and the organization continues to support humane and science-based solutions for safeguarding these iconic animals on their range while preserving their natural behavior, family bonds, and genetic diversity.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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