Animal rights advocates, led by the nonprofit Friends of Animals, are challenging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) contract for a wild horse holding facility near Winnemucca, Nevada, claiming it is inhumane and violates federal laws. The facility, described by the BLM as an “off-range corral,” holds up to 4,000 wild horses on less than 100 acres and has been criticized for poor conditions, including extreme weather exposure and infrequent cleaning. Friends of Animals argue the BLM failed to conduct a thorough environmental review as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and violated the Wild Horse Act by relying on vague expert guidance rather than addressing site-specific issues.

The BLM defends the facility, stating it was built following expert advice and necessary to manage wild horse overpopulation, which threatens natural resources and safety. The agency’s environmental assessment found no significant impact, and a federal judge previously upheld the contract’s legality. During appeals, the BLM emphasized that the facility meets or exceeds regulatory standards, including those for confined animal feeding operations, and includes provisions for animal welfare such as adequate space and feeding stations. The 9th Circuit Court is now reviewing whether the BLM’s environmental review and treatment of the horses meet legal requirements.