Who is responsible for Alberta’s wild horses?

On public land, wild horses fall under the jurisdiction of the Government of Alberta, which classifies them as feral animals. They are governed by the Stray Animals Act and the Horse Capture Regulations.

​

WHOAS holds a government-issued capture license. If wild horses are reported to be in distress or causing issues on public land, we are permitted to step in and humanely capture them. Once captured, the law does not allow us to return them to the wild. We must file a detailed report within 48 hours, including photos and identifying characteristics of each horse.

​

Where do the horses WHOAS rescues come from?

Almost all the horses we rescue—about 99%—have strayed onto private land. These horses fall under the authority of Livestock Identification Services (LIS). In the past, many were rounded up and sold to meat buyers.

Thanks to our agreement with LIS and the Government of Alberta, WHOAS can now step in, rescue these horses, and bring them to our facility for care and adoption.

There have been no government culls since 2015, when 48 horses were captured—WHOAS saved 39 of them.

​

Who is responsible for wild horses on private land?

If a wild horse enters private land, the landowner becomes responsible. They can:

• Contact LIS, who may authorize WHOAS to remove the horse, or

• Take the horse to market, or

• Legally dispose of it (including euthanasia).

We urge landowners to contact LIS and request WHOAS involvement wherever possible.

​

How do wild horses end up on private land?

Most often, it's young stallions that wander—driven out of their herds and in search of their own. They may get through broken fences, open gates, or even jump over fencing on properties bordering the forestry reserve.

​

What happens when a horse arrives at WHOAS?

Once at our rescue facility, we begin the gentling process—slow, respectful work to help the horse feel safe and ready for a new life.

Each horse receives a full health check, deworming, vaccinations, and if a stallion, mandatory gelding before adoption. Our dedicated volunteers ensure every horse is cared for with kindness and consistency.

​

Why are the horses freeze-branded?

All horses that come through WHOAS receive our unique freeze brand, as agreed with the Government of Alberta and other stakeholders. This ensures that no horse adopted from WHOAS is ever released back onto public land.

​

What is the adoption process?

Adoption starts with an application, including photos of the property where the horse will live. We encourage applicants to include a Premises Identification Number (PIN).

We also require:

• A visit to our facility to meet the horses and handlers

• A commitment to long-term care, including vet and farrier support

We carefully vet every application to ensure each horse goes to a safe, loving, and responsible home.