Arizona law was passed to protect the Salt River wild horses as a valued part of our state’s cultural and natural heritage. However, the current contract awarded to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group raises serious concerns that the original intent of that law is not being followed.

At present, there is a lack of transparency and public accountability in key areas of herd management. There is no clear, publicly accessible accounting of fertility control (PZP), including how many mares are treated, how often, and what the long-term reproductive impact is. There is also no comprehensive public record of herd reproduction, removals, or outcomes over time. In addition, the law does not clearly define or guarantee protections for horses once they are removed from the Salt River horse management area.

These gaps matter because the Salt River horses are not simply a managed population—they are an essential part of the greater Phoenix community and a recognized symbol of Arizona’s heritage. When authority is exercised without full transparency or clearly defined legal protections, the intent of the law is weakened and public trust is undermined.

We are asking the Arizona Legislature—specifically the leadership of the House and Senate, including Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro—to take action to clarify and enforce the law they are responsible for upholding. This includes clearly establishing that all Salt River horses, whether in the Salt River horse management area or removed, are protected as state treasures. It also includes requiring full public transparency and accountability in herd management, including complete reporting on fertility control, reproduction, removals, and outcomes.

No removals should occur under the current system of limited transparency and unclear legal protections.

The people of Arizona supported the protection of these horses with the expectation that their long-term survival and well-being would be the priority. We are asking the Legislature to ensure that this promise is clearly defined, consistently applied, and meaningfully enforced.