Thousands of wild horses and burros are being held in a government-run corral in Winnemucca, Nevada — and animal advocates say the conditions are heartbreaking.

These animals, known for their strength and spirit, are now packed into dusty pens, with little to no shade, minimal shelter, and only two cleanings a year. Many stand for months in the heat or cold, surrounded by waste. Some never make it out alive.

This is what’s happening in a federal facility approved by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), despite widespread outcry from animal welfare groups. A court recently ruled the BLM followed the law — but legal doesn’t mean humane.

Horses deserve better than this.

The BLM says its internal standards are enough, but those standards were never opened to public input and ignore expert recommendations for shelter, space, and health care. These horses are being treated like a problem to contain — not living beings with basic needs.

We call on the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Department of the Interior to:

• Provide real shade and shelter for every horse and burro in holding
• Increase cleanings, health checks, and space per animal
• Allow public review of care standards
• Report transparently on deaths, injuries, and facility conditions

Wild horses are icons of the West. They deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion, not stored out of sight until they’re forgotten.

Sign this petition to speak up for the horses. They can’t choose where they’re kept — but we can choose to fight for them.