Arizona Rep. Cody Reim is spearheading a legislative effort to strengthen protections for the Salt River wild horses amid controversy over a state management plan that aims to reduce the herd from about 274 to 120 horses within five years. Reim supports an amended Senate Bill 1199, which seeks to clarify and reinforce the 2016 Salt River Horse Act by halting all horse removals for three years and ensuring the law reflects its original intent to preserve the herd. The bill includes an emergency clause for immediate effect and responds to public opposition against the current plan, which involves fertility control and relocation of horses.

The management plan, agreed upon by the Arizona Department of Agriculture and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group, calls for relocating roughly 25 horses annually to approved sanctuaries to balance ecological sustainability and herd health. However, advocates argue the reductions are unnecessary and contrary to the original law’s purpose. Reim and supporters emphasize the horses’ cultural significance and popularity, pushing to protect them as a valuable state asset, while the Department of Agriculture maintains the plan is aimed at long-term ecological balance rather than a direct state mandate.