Jordan Gerard, Arizona Capitol Times | August 23, 2026|
Key Points:
- Gov. Katie Hobbs halted removals of Salt River horses and ordered a genetic viability study
- Horse advocates and lawmakers claim the victory after months of grassroots work
- A lawmaker questioned the last-minute decisions
Just weeks before 25 Salt River horses were set to be removed, Gov. Katie Hobbs halted the removals and ordered a genetic viability study of the herd.
Advocates for the wild horses celebrated the decision as a major victory after months of pressuring the governor and state agricultural officials.
“We are thrilled with the Governor’s actions because, from the very beginning, more than a decade ago, it has always been our mission to preserve these cherished and historic wild horses for future generations of Arizonans to enjoy,” said Simone Netherlands, president of the non-profit Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.
However, it still falls short of the broader protections some advocates and lawmakers sought, including legislation that would have imposed a three-year moratorium on removals and established specific requirements for the genetic study. At least one lawmaker also questions why Hobbs waited until August to act and whether her plan provides enough accountability.
In February, the Arizona Department of Agriculture and the management group signed an agreement to reduce the herd to about 120 horses in five years. The first removal of 25 horses was scheduled for September.
Many people criticized the target number, including equine geneticist Gus Cothran and wildlife ecologist Craig Downer, who both said earlier this year that it was too low to maintain genetic diversity.
On Tuesday, Hobbs announced she worked with the Arizona Board of Regents to identify funding for a genetic viability study to ensure the herd remains genetically stable and healthy. Arizona’s public universities would conduct the study, and it would be independently reviewed before release. The Board of Regents is expected to vote on it Aug. 27.
The Department of Agriculture also amended the Salt River Horse Herd Management Plan to pause all removals through 2027, giving researchers time to complete the study and allowing its findings to inform future management decisions.
The amended management plan also raises the herd’s target population to about 170 horses. The management group estimates there are now about 267 horses.
“My administration is committed to preserving the health, safety, and integrity of the Salt River Horse Herd as well as the natural ecosystem they rely on,” Hobbs said in a statement.
Netherlands said their 2026 Mid-Year Herd Report documented negative population growth and the success of humane management programs, such as darted birth control.
John Koleszar, who represents the nonprofit group Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, said they respectfully disagree with the governor. His organization represents 33 outdoor recreation communities. He added the horses aren’t native to the area and they mowed down “everything that is even remotely close to habitat.”
“We are disappointed that there was a hold put on removing even 25 horses, but we anticipate that the genetics study will show that there needs to be removal of horses because there’s so much inbreeding already,” he said. “While disappointed, we understand it, and if they need absolute positive proof, so be it.”
The Arizona Farm Bureau declined to comment. The Center for Biological Diversity, Maricopa Audubon Society and Arizona Wildlife Federation did not respond to a request for comment.