ForestService

Inyo National Forest

Forest Service News Release

www.fs.usda.gov/inyo

Inyo National Forest to begin wild horse gather July 8

(Lee Vining, CA, June 22, 2026) – The Inyo National Forest plans to gather 450 wild horses from outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory beginning on July 8. These excess wild horses are damaging sensitive habitats and causing safety concerns. The gathered horses will be transported to Forest Service off-range corrals, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and prepared for adoption programs.

The Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory is managed by the Forest Service for a wild horse population between 138 to 230 animals under the 2019 Inyo National Forest Land Management Plan. A 2024 population census estimated there were 699 horses, with most of those roaming outside the territory in areas not designated for their management. They are impacting sensitive wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and tufa geological formations, and posing safety concerns for motorists and cyclists.

Wild horses that stray from their established areas may be removed to reduce conflicts with other resources in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Gathering animals from an overpopulated herd is the best and most humane way to quickly reduce the impacts of overpopulation. With an overpopulation there is sustained competition among the horses for limited resources and ongoing risk for vehicle-horse collisions near roadways.

The Inyo National Forest will work with a contractor to conduct the gather. Gather contractors will utilize motorized vehicles, including helicopters, to gather horses. Forest Service helicopter-assisted gathers are humane, and often more effective and efficient than other types of gather methods when large numbers of animals need to be removed over wide areas or rugged terrain.

Viewing of gather operations will be offered by reservation for up to 5 viewers each day of the gather. The gather is planned for 7-14 days but may end sooner depending on the number of horses gathered each day. To request a reservation, please email [email protected] and include your name, phone number, and requested viewing date. Meeting location and time will be provided with the reservation confirmation.

Viewers will need to:

Drive in rugged terrain
Walk long distances across uneven and muddy ground
Prepare for possible inclement weather (rain, snow, wind, heat, intense sun)
Remain on site until gather operations have concluded for the day
Bring food, water, clothing layers, folding chair, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses
Wear neutral colored clothing (avoid brights and darks)
Be without restroom facilities and cell service
Not interfere with gather operations

Montgomery Pass wild horse information and gather updates are available on the web at: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/natural-resources/range/wild-horses. All gathered wild horses go to the Forest Service Double Devil Corral on the Modoc National Forest for adoption. If you are interested in adopting a Montgomery Pass wild horse, visit the corral’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/doubledevilwildhorsecorrals. 

Note: Media will be notified of a media viewing opportunity closer to the gather. To be put on the notification list please email: [email protected]

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.