Ninth Circuit Rejects Nevada Ranchers' Demand for Timed Wild Horse Removal

On October 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a federal decision that allows the Bureau of Land Management to proceed with its Gather Plans for wild horses without a fixed removal timetable. Ranchers Colvin & Son, LLC and Stone Cabin Ranch had challenged the plans, arguing that the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act required a specific schedule for removing excess horses. The court ruled that the Act does not impose such a requirement, affirming that federal officials may set removal timelines at their discretion. The decision maintains the current approach to managing wild horse populations on public lands and limits ranchers’ ability to compel a rapid removal schedule. It clarifies the legal framework governing future Gather Plan implementations.