PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 23, 2026) — Approximately 100 wild horse advocates gathered at the Arizona State Capitol Wednesday morning, calling on Governor Katie Hobbs to pause planned removals of Salt River wild horses until an independent scientific review determines whether the remaining herd would be genetically healthy and self-sustaining.
The July 22 Preserve the Herd — Follow the Science Rally challenged an Arizona Department of Agriculture plan to reduce the herd from approximately 271 horses to between 120 and 125 by the end of 2030.
“Arizona should not remove a single healthy horse until the public is shown that the remaining herd will be genetically viable,” said Susie Bell of Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses.
Wildlife ecologist and author Craig C. Downer warned that a population target cannot be evaluated solely by counting horses. He said scientists must also consider the number of unrelated breeding animals, representation of family lines, age and sex distribution, foal recruitment and the continuing effects of fertility control.
Dr. E. Gus Cothran, a nationally recognized equine population geneticist and professor emeritus at Texas A&M University, has said populations of 150 to 200 horses are generally considered a minimum for protecting long-term genetic health, although herd viability depends on several factors.
The Salt River herd has already declined by more than 40% over the past five years, falling from approximately 450 horses to about 271 due to fertility control and natural attrition. Advocates contend the current program could reduce the population to approximately 165 to 168 horses within five years without permanent removals.
Public records have also raised questions about how the proposed population target was selected. Requested documents indicate the original recommendation of approximately 100 horses emerged from a straw poll rather than an independent population study. The number was later negotiated upward, but advocates say no independent scientific analysis supporting the final target has been released.
Representative Cody Reim, who attended the rally following his primary victory Tuesday, pledged to introduce new legislation requiring science-based protections for the herd.
“The Salt River Horse Act was never intended to justify removing these horses,” Reim said. “It was enacted to protect the herd and prevent exactly this from happening.”
The Salt River wild horses are a popular attraction for visitors, photographers and recreationists along the Lower Salt River. Advocates are asking Hobbs to pause permanent removals, release the data supporting the proposed population target, and commission independent genetic testing and a population viability analysis before the state proceeds.