Hundreds of terrified wild horses — many just foals — were tormented and chased by low-flying helicopters between July 15 and August 2, 2025, as part of a federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundup that resulted in multiple deaths and severe injuries.
Photographs taken by Lady Freethinker’s field observer at Wyoming’s Adobe Town Herd Management Area (HMA) captured the brutality: wild horses with open wounds and bloodied legs — evidence of the harsh conditions they endured as helicopters forced them over rocky terrain.
One particularly disturbing image showed a horse with a deep leg laceration and a white-socked hoof soaked in blood. Injuries like this are all too common during helicopter roundups — the wounded given no option but to continue running despite their injuries.
Lady Freethinker Investigation/Scott Henderson
The BLM reported capturing 1,677 horses — including 355 foals and a mule — while hundreds more were shipped to off-site holding facilities, their future undetermined.
Lady Freethinker Investigation/Scott Henderson
According to the BLM, the roundup aimed to remove approximately 1,675 excess wild horses from the Adobe Town HMA — a goal that was met 13 days early. “This is a removal-only gather,” said LFT’s field observer. “None will be released back into the wild, and no birth control will be used.”
Lady Freethinker Investigation/Scott Henderson
With daytime temperatures climbing well into the 80s, conditions were physically taxing — especially for young foals. One pilot radioed for support about a foal who struggled to keep up, and two foals died in the trap from capture myopathy — an often-fatal condition triggered by extreme stress.
Lady Freethinker Investigation/Scott Henderson
In addition to the two foals, the BLM confirmed six more deaths during the roundup:
- A 4-month-old roan foal was killed due to a “pre-existing club foot.”
- A 2-year-old roan stud was killed due to a “pre-existing spinal condition.”
- A 5-year-old bay stud was killed due to a “non-recoverable eye condition.”
- An 18-year-old mare broke her neck during trailer transport.
- A 4-year-old mare was found deceased at the holding facility.
- A 10-year-old bay stallion was killed due to permanent blindness caused by trauma.
Helicopter roundups are chaotic and traumatic for wild horses. The roar of the helicopter is deafening as it pushes frantic horses toward the capture chute, churning up enormous clouds of dust as the animals are herded to the holding pen.
Lady Freethinker Investigation/Scott Henderson
“America’s wild horses deserve better than to be rounded up by helicopter — a cruel and terrifying process that is simply inhumane and outdated,” said Lady Freethinker President Nina Jackel. “The tired, bloodied horses seen in our images show once again that this practice must end.”
While the BLM claims helicopter roundups are a humane tool for population management, these severe injuries and deaths are consistent with what LFT has documented in helicopter roundups for years.
Despite growing public outcry and the availability of humane alternatives, the BLM continues to rely on helicopters to forcibly remove wild horses from their natural habitats, causing unnecessary stress, injuries, and horrific deaths.
Join us in urging lawmakers to stop the cruelty and protect America’s wild horses.
SIGN: Stop Cruel Helicopter Roundups That Are Killing Wild Horses
