⚠️ Important Note About Donations
Donations made through Change.org go to Change.org to promote petitions on their platform, NOT to our organization!

If you wish to directly support our work to protect the Montgomery Pass wild horses, please use this link:
👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-montgomery-pass-wild-horses

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS) are planning to roundup and remove 624 of 694 Montgomery Pass Wild Mustangs in the Eastern Sierras of California as soon as November 7th, 2025!  They will leave only 70 horses on 200,000 acres, which will cause inbreeding and leave them more vulnerable to mountain lions who have kept their numbers fairly stable for nearly 40 years.  

They are justifying this roundup because most of the horses are now living OFF their designated Territory.  This migration occurred because the BLM and USFS, for over 35 years, failed to  provide adequate water for them ON their Territory, despite admitting that water scarcity was a major problem.  They failed these horses terribly and now want the horses to pay the price.

Why round them up now?  Allegedly to  prevent highway collisions on lightly traveled roads with only 2 small warning signs on 30+ miles of potential horse crossing, and almost no fencing to prevent crossing in key areas  Some also claim, without any proof, that horses may damage   touristic mineral columns, called tufas, at Mono Lake, whose super salty water is so undrinkable that it damages their mouth and nose. Hence they avoid the shoreline.

In truth, this mass roundup probably has more to do with the new push to exploit our public lands for natural resources, like gold and silver in the Sierras.

The Wild Horse and Burro Act, passed unanimously by the House & Senate in 1971, ordered the BLM and Forest Service to manage Wild Horse territories for the primary benefit of the horses. But, they have definitely failed their duties to this herd!

All wild horses help prevent wild fires in several ways. Their droppings keep the soil moist, which keeps grass greener, and thus fire resistant. Collectively they create hundreds of acres of firebreaks every year, at no cost to taxpayers!  This fire prevention is critical in an already fire ravaged California.  

Another special thing about Montgomery Pass horses is their large herd size, (unusual in wild horses and developed to help them fight off Mountain Lions).  It has necessitated that they develop a very refined communication that puts a priority on harmony.  Stallions have been seen protecting the foals of other stallions.  And any conflict between them is often solved simply and amicably.

Please join us in urging BLM and the United States Forest Service to:

Call off the roundup and demand these agencies provide this Herd with adequate water on their Territory, so they no longer have to cross highways to access it, harming themselves and others.

Please sign this petition and please include your email address for updates on this herd.

And visit  www.easternsierrawildhorses.com  for more info and visuals.

The Montgomery Pass Mustangs thank you for your support!