advertisement
10 November 2025
The Salt River wild horses are one of Arizona’s most beloved symbols of freedom, beauty, and resilience. These majestic animals roam the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, an area synonymous with the wild, untamed spirit of the American West. But once again, their very existence is under threat.
advertisement
In 2015, when the Salt River wild horses faced possible removal, Arizonans came together in a historic show of unity. The outpouring of public support led to the passage of the Salt River Horse Act in 2016, protecting the herd from unnecessary removal and ensuring they could only be taken for humane reasons, such as injury or suffering.
That hard-won victory is now in jeopardy. Recent actions by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA), including a proposal to remove three adult horses for every foal born, threaten to undermine the very protections that keep these horses free. Conservationists warn that such removals could devastate the herd, leaving as few as 100 horses along the Salt River.
The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), a volunteer-driven nonprofit, has spent years proving that humane, science-based management works. With no government funding and over 100 dedicated volunteers, the group has achieved remarkable results:
Their work has become a national model, recognized by the Science and Conservation Center as one of the most effective wild horse management programs in the country.
Supporters argue that AZDA’s proposed removals violate the intent of the Salt River Horse Act, which explicitly prohibits the capture or relocation of the herd for reasons other than humane necessity. SRWHMG is working with Arizona legislators and the state’s Attorney General to challenge the proposal, but they need the public’s help to keep the pressure on.
You can take action by signing the petition to Governor Katie Hobbs at tinyurl.com/SaltRiverWildHorsesPetition.
The law is on their side. The public is on their side. Science is on their side.
SRWHMG’s fertility control program, which uses the PZP (Porcine Zona Pellucida) vaccine, has stabilized the herd’s growth while preserving natural herd behavior and genetic diversity. Unlike surgical sterilization or mass roundups, this approach is humane, cost-effective, and sustainable.
Every effort is driven by volunteers and public donations, with 95% of funds going directly to the horses.
advertisement
The Salt River wild horses are more than a tourist attraction; they are living links to Arizona’s natural and cultural heritage. The fight to protect them is a fight for compassion, stewardship, and the belief that wild animals deserve to live free.
To support their continued protection, you can:
Together, Arizonans can ensure these magnificent horses remain a proud symbol of the West, wild, free, and thriving along the Salt River.
advertisement
If it seems like pickleball courts are suddenly everywhere in Arizona, you’re not imagining things. Parks are adding courts. Resorts are advertising pickleball vacations. Retirement communities have thriving leagues. Indoor pickleball clubs are popping up across the Valley, and major professional and amateur tournaments are bringing thousands of players to the state. Pickleball has become one of America’s biggest recreational sports, and Arizona has emerged as one of the country’s major pickleball destinations. But Arizona’s connection to the sport actually goes back decades. advertisement What Is Pickleball? Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table
Arizona is an amazing and remarkably diverse state. It is best known worldwide for the Grand Canyon, the spectacular mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. But those of us who call Arizona home know there is much more to the Grand Canyon State than its most famous landmark. Arizona is a place where you can find one of America’s largest cities, one of its snowiest communities, enormous pine forests, incredibly remote villages, vast tribal lands, and some of the sunniest weather anywhere on Earth. Here are seven fascinating facts that show just how surprising Arizona
Deep in the rugged mountains of southern Arizona, a motion-activated camera captured something extraordinary: a large spotted cat silently moving through the wilderness. It was not a mountain lion or a bobcat. It was a jaguar. The animal would eventually become known as El Jefe, Spanish for “The Boss.” For several years, he was the only known wild jaguar living in the United States, making him both a local celebrity and a powerful symbol of a species that once roamed across a much larger portion of the American Southwest. El Jefe’s story is also surprisingly hopeful. After disappearing from Arizona
Living in Arizona comes with plenty of perks, including beautiful scenery, relatively mild winters, and countless opportunities for road trips. But Arizona can also be tough on your car. Extreme summer temperatures, blazing-hot pavement, intense sunlight, dust, monsoon storms, and long stretches of remote highway can all take their toll on a vehicle. Whether you are buying a new car or trying to keep your current one running smoothly, there are a few things every Arizona driver should consider. advertisement Air Conditioning Is Not Optional In many parts of the country, a weak air conditioner is uncomfortable. In Arizona, it
