Welcome to the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range

The 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act provides for the management, protection, and control of all unbranded and 

unclaimed horses and burros on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The 

BLM was given the responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the Act because the majority of wild horses and burros are 

found on lands that BLM administers.

Though wild horse herds live in many parts of the western United States, the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is one of only 

three ranges in the United States set aside specifically to protect wild and free roaming horses. It encompasses 36,113 acres of 

rugged canyons and plateaus in the Book Cliffs about eight air miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado. From 90 to 150 wild horses

roam the sagebrush parks and pinyon-juniper covered hills which dominate the area. Natural barriers such as cliffs and canyons 

are supplemented with fencing to define the area and control horse movement. The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area (WSA) 

(29,010 acres) makes up about two-thirds of the range. The WSA is under interim management for wilderness pending Congressional 

action. 

Where Mustangs Come From

During the Ice Age, the ancestors of the modern horse roamed the North American continent. They were smaller than the horses 

of today and became extinct over 10,000 years ago. Horses were reintroduced to the continent in the 1500’s by the Spaniards who 

explored and began to settle what is now the western United States. These horses were known as “mustanos,” and those that escaped 

to form the early wild herds were later called “mustangs.” Some of the Little Book Cliffs horses can trace their ancestry back to 

Indian ponies, but the majority are descendants of horses who escaped from or were turned loose by ranchers and farmers. The BLM 

has also introduced horses from other wild herds to maintain a healthy herd.

Where to See Wild Horses

Adopt-A-Horse

Home on the Range Becomes

Home on the Ranch

Every spring, new colts and fillies are born to the 

bands of the Little Book Cliffs, and in general the herd 

increases by 18 to 20% per year. With only so much 

food to go around, the horses might face starvation or 

even death if the BLM did not provide for adoption. 

In the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, volunteers 

and BLM Range Managers closely monitor the 

vegetation and health of horses and wildlife living 

here. Each spring they ride the range and count the 

horses. If the range is suffering from too many horses, 

some are gathered and put up for adoption. Gathers 

generally occur every 3 to 4 years, but may occur more 

often in cases of severe drought. 

With patience and time, wild horses can become 

excellent family or ranch horses. They are sure-footed, 

smart and have a great deal of stamina. 

Friends of the Mustangs

Beginning in the mid-1980s Friends of the Mustangs 

and the BLM have worked together to ensure that 

both the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range and the 

horses living there are kept healthy. Projects include 

trail clearing, spring development and maintenance, 

and tracking horse numbers, locations and range 

conditions. Friends of the Mustangs also assist in 

gathers and in finding adoptive homes for the animals, 

working with prospective owners and checking back 

with them to make sure horse and owner are doing 

well. If you are interested in becoming a member of 

Friends of the Mustangs, contact the Grand Junction 

BLM office for their address and phone number.

Wild horses are most frequently spotted in sagebrush parks scattered throughout 

the horse range, traveling in small bands made up of a stud and his harem of 

mares, or in bachelor bands of young stallions. Be on the lookout for “stud piles” 

which are piles of manure left by a stud to mark his territory. Horses use the 

higher country in spring, summer and fall, moving to lower country in winter where 

there is less snow and feed is more easily found. During the summer, some of the 

best opportunities for catching a glimpse of the wild horses are in the Indian Park 

entrance to the horse range and the North Soda area. During the winter and spring, 

Coal Canyon and Main Canyon are excellent viewing areas. 

Make wild horse viewing safe for you and the animals by following these simple 

guidelines:

Most horses and wildlife are moving in the early morning and evening. Choose •

those times to look for them. 

Observe animals from a distance THEY consider safe. If an animal’s behavior •

changes noticeably, you are probably too close. Get your “close-up” by using 

binoculars, spotting scopes, and telephoto lenses. 

Don’t chase horses or wildlife or behave in any way that might be seen as •

harassment, which is unlawful. 

Do not try to touch or “bond” with wild horses. They are wild and unpredictable. •
Welcome to the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range

The 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act provides for the management, protection, and control of all unbranded and 

unclaimed horses and burros on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The 

BLM was given the responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the Act because the majority of wild horses and burros are 

found on lands that BLM administers.

Though wild horse herds live in many parts of the western United States, the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range is one of only 

three ranges in the United States set aside specifically to protect wild and free roaming horses. It encompasses 36,113 acres of 

rugged canyons and plateaus in the Book Cliffs about eight air miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado. From 90 to 150 wild horses

roam the sagebrush parks and pinyon-juniper covered hills which dominate the area. Natural barriers such as cliffs and canyons 

are supplemented with fencing to define the area and control horse movement. The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area (WSA) 

(29,010 acres) makes up about two-thirds of the range. The WSA is under interim management for wilderness pending Congressional 

action. 

Where Mustangs Come From

During the Ice Age, the ancestors of the modern horse roamed the North American continent. They were smaller than the horses 

of today and became extinct over 10,000 years ago. Horses were reintroduced to the continent in the 1500’s by the Spaniards who 

explored and began to settle what is now the western United States. These horses were known as “mustanos,” and those that escaped 

to form the early wild herds were later called “mustangs.” Some of the Little Book Cliffs horses can trace their ancestry back to 

Indian ponies, but the majority are descendants of horses who escaped from or were turned loose by ranchers and farmers. The BLM 

has also introduced horses from other wild herds to maintain a healthy herd.

Where to See Wild Horses

Adopt-A-Horse

Home on the Range Becomes

Home on the Ranch

Every spring, new colts and fillies are born to the 

bands of the Little Book Cliffs, and in general the herd 

increases by 18 to 20% per year. With only so much 

food to go around, the horses might face starvation or 

even death if the BLM did not provide for adoption. 

In the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, volunteers 

and BLM Range Managers closely monitor the 

vegetation and health of horses and wildlife living 

here. Each spring they ride the range and count the 

horses. If the range is suffering from too many horses, 

some are gathered and put up for adoption. Gathers 

generally occur every 3 to 4 years, but may occur more 

often in cases of severe drought. 

With patience and time, wild horses can become 

excellent family or ranch horses. They are sure-footed, 

smart and have a great deal of stamina. 

Friends of the Mustangs

Beginning in the mid-1980s Friends of the Mustangs 

and the BLM have worked together to ensure that 

both the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range and the 

horses living there are kept healthy. Projects include 

trail clearing, spring development and maintenance, 

and tracking horse numbers, locations and range 

conditions. Friends of the Mustangs also assist in 

gathers and in finding adoptive homes for the animals, 

working with prospective owners and checking back 

with them to make sure horse and owner are doing 

well. If you are interested in becoming a member of 

Friends of the Mustangs, contact the Grand Junction 

BLM office for their address and phone number.

Wild horses are most frequently spotted in sagebrush parks scattered throughout 

the horse range, traveling in small bands made up of a stud and his harem of 

mares, or in bachelor bands of young stallions. Be on the lookout for “stud piles” 

which are piles of manure left by a stud to mark his territory. Horses use the 

higher country in spring, summer and fall, moving to lower country in winter where 

there is less snow and feed is more easily found. During the summer, some of the 

best opportunities for catching a glimpse of the wild horses are in the Indian Park 

entrance to the horse range and the North Soda area. During the winter and spring, 

Coal Canyon and Main Canyon are excellent viewing areas. 

Make wild horse viewing safe for you and the animals by following these simple 

guidelines:

• Most horses and wildlife are moving in the early morning and evening. Choose 

those times to look for them. 

• Observe animals from a distance THEY consider safe. If an animal’s behavior 

changes noticeably, you are probably too close. Get your “close-up” by using 

binoculars, spotting scopes, and telephoto lenses. 

• Don’t chase horses or wildlife or behave in any way that might be seen as 

harassment, which is unlawful. 

• Do not try to touch or “bond” with wild horses. They are wild and unpredictable.