Hold Your Horses: Addressing the Complex Issue of Wild Horses in America

Abstract

Wild horses have existed in the United States since its inception, but their existence and welfare have long been overlooked. The following paper examines the current state of wild horses in the western United States and finds that overpopulation of wild horses is leading to poor conditions for wild horses, environmental damage, and conflict with the interests of nearby humans. The paper examines the biocentric, anthropocentric, and ecocentric approaches to resolving this conflict between wild horses, humans, and local ecosystems, seeking a consequentialism-based solution that bridges the three approaches and maximizes overall welfare