U.S. Congress Keeps Wild Horse Slaughter Ban, Yet Cruel Roundups Continue

Last week, the U.S. Congress passed a continuing resolution funding the federal government through January 30, 2026. American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) welcomes the continuation of protections against horse slaughter, preserved from last year’s spending legislation, and urges Congress to prioritize funding for humane, cost-effective management solutions for wild horses.

The continuing resolution maintains Fiscal Year 2025 funding levels and conditions for the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This means protections against horse slaughter remain intact for the 62,000 wild horses and burros currently in government holding. At the same time, funds are available for the BLM’s costly and controversial helicopter roundup and removal program.

“Congress has once again affirmed that slaughter is off the table, and that’s critical,” said Fernando Guerra, director of law and policy for AWHC. “But continuing the status quo also means continuing a management approach that costs taxpayers over $100 million annually while funneling more horses into holding facilities.”

“We need Congress to use the FY 2026 appropriations process to shift resources toward humane in-the-wild conservation solutions that actually work,” Guerra said.

AWHC’s fertility control programs have proven that humane management is not only scalable, but also cost effective for taxpayers. Last summer, a record number of bipartisan members of Congress called for increasing investment in these humane alternatives while maintaining slaughter protections in the FY 26 appropriations legislation.

The House language included both slaughter protections and an $11 million investment in humane in-the-wild management, while the Senate called for continuation of the slaughter ban.

“The short-term nature of this funding bill gives Congress an opportunity to get it right in January,” Guerra continued. “We’re ready to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support full-year appropriations language that prioritizes proven, science-based solutions over costly roundups.”

The continuing resolution funds the Wild Horse and Burro Program at the same budget level as FY25 million through January 30. AWHC will work with Congress over the coming months to ensure final FY 2026 appropriations maintain slaughter protections while directing more funding toward fertility control and on-range management.

“We’ve built strong bipartisan coalitions around protecting wild horses and investing in better management,” Guerra concluded. “Now it’s time to translate that support into a budget that reflects both fiscal responsibility and humane values.”