Feds Seek Ideas on Taming Wild Horses in the West
Published Date: 3/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service wants your thoughts on a new way to collect info about managing wild horses and burros roaming free on public lands. This affects ranchers, wildlife lovers, and anyone interested in these animals. You’ve got until May 26, 2026, to share your ideas—no cost to comment, just a chance to help shape how these iconic animals are cared for!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Purchase Application Requires Personal Details
If you want to purchase a wild horse or burro from the Forest Service, you must complete form FS-2200-0032. That form collects your name, address, phone, email, criminal-conviction history for animal abuse, details about your facilities and feed, transport plans, and certifications that you will provide humane care and not return the animals to public lands without authorization.
Sale Document Contains Binding Certifications
The Forest Service will use form FS-2200-0033 as a Bill of Sale that documents the sale and requires the purchaser's signed acknowledgment of sale terms. The purchaser must certify they understand the sale is final upon pick-up, will provide humane care, and will not sell, transfer, or process the animals into commercial products.
Animal Selection Requires Pickup Details
If you select specific wild horses or burros for adoption or purchase, you must complete form FS-2200-0034 to provide pickup date, transporter and trailer details, and selection info. The agency estimates FS-2200-0034 will take about 0.2 hours per respondent with about 400 respondents annually.
Cooperator Agreement Requires Ongoing Notices
Private cooperators who maintain excess animals must sign form FS-2200-0035 agreeing to care terms and to report certain events: notify the Forest Service of an address change within 30 days and of an animal's death or serious health problems within seven days. The Forest Service estimates this form will take about 0.25 hours and about 300 respondents per year.
Title Transfer Needs Inspection and Vet Proof
To apply for title to a wild horse or burro, you must submit form FS-2200-0036 that documents the animal's identity and detailed physical condition and includes photographs and signatures from the adopter and inspecting officer; a licensed veterinarian's statement may be required. The Forest Service estimates this form takes about 0.5 hours and that about 350 respondents will complete it annually.
Overall Paperwork Burden and Comment Deadline
The Forest Service estimates the package of five new forms will involve about 1,550 respondents annually and a total of 580 hours of respondent time per year. The agency is requesting public comment on this information collection under OMB control number 0596-NEW, with comments due by May 26, 2026.
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