 Wild horses have always been a symbol of the American West and a large part of Wyoming history. These iconic animals are descendants of Spanish horses introduced in the 1500s and are wonderful examples of the untamed spirit of Wyoming's rangelands. Today, wild horses are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM. In 2011, it was estimated that a little over 5,000 horses could be found on Wyoming's rangelands, which is an increase in population of approximately 1,000 animals from 2010. Wild horse herds are mostly located in the southwest corner of the state near Rock Springs. The existence of these herds is a credit to the private landowners of this area, who do not fence their land, thus allowing the horses to wander as necessary for food, water, and shelter in the winter, as nature provides. Wild horses have no true natural predators other than an occasional mountain lion. As a result, populations can increase at a very high rate. When populations of wildlife, wild horses, and domestic livestock exceed the capabilities of their habitat, the environment begins to suffer. If prolonged, it leads to poor rangeland and an overall decline in the health of the wild horses. So next time you visit Wyoming's rangelands, listen for the sound of pounding hooves and look for mains flying in the wind, and you just might get to experience a little bit of that untamed spirit. From the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, I'm Mae Smith, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.