Salt River Wild Horse Population to Be Cut by More Than Half

A management group has five years to relocate over 100 horses from the iconic herd.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Arizona Department of Agriculture has awarded a new contract to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, requiring the herd to be reduced from 274 wild horses to 120 within the next five years, following directives from the U.S. Forest Service. The group plans to begin the relocation process in September, meaning this summer will be the last time people floating down the Salt River will see the full herd.

Why it matters

The Salt River wild horses have drawn crowds from all over the country for years, and their presence is seen as an iconic part of the local landscape. The decision to significantly reduce the herd size has sparked concerns from the community about the emotional toll and the future of this beloved natural attraction.

The details

Under the new contract, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has five years to safely and humanely relocate about 25 horses per year until the herd size reaches 120. The group has already reduced the population from 450 horses through birth control methods. They are currently searching for additional property to lease so the public can still come and see the remaining horses.

  • The relocation process is set to begin in September 2026.
  • The herd size must be reduced from 274 to 120 wild horses within the next five years.

The players

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

The organization that has cared for the Salt River wild horses for years and was awarded the new contract by the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency that issued directives to the state of Arizona to reduce the size of the Salt River wild horse herd.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing the horses and the way they live and how they thrive to survive. It's just, I don't know, it's an honor to be around them.”

— Malie Alday, Mesa resident (12news.com)

“There are going to be people that are heartbroken over losing some of these horses, and we are too, but we do want to assure people that we're going to do this in the utmost humane matter possible, and we guarantee that none of these horses will ever end up in a bad place.”

— Simone Netherlands, Founder, Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (12news.com)

What’s next

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group plans to begin the relocation process in September 2026, meaning this summer will be the last time people floating down the Salt River will see the full herd.

The takeaway

The decision to significantly reduce the iconic Salt River wild horse herd has sparked concerns from the local community about the emotional impact and the future of this beloved natural attraction. However, the management group is committed to ensuring the relocation process is carried out in a humane manner, with a guarantee that none of the horses will end up in a bad situation.