Saving Canada's Wild Horses

06/12/2026

I don't know what it is about this photo, but it catches me every time I see it. The muted tones? The dust in the air from a vehicle just passed? Or the quiet, intense pose of this grey stallion, who seems to know danger might lurk around that corner.




(taken with a long lens from a safe distance)

06/05/2026

𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝

Until 2017, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada publicly reported detailed horse slaughter statistics, which included the number of horses killed in both federally and provincially inspected facilities and their average carcass weights.

The closure of Les Viandes de la Petite Nation Inc. in Quebec left just two federally licensed plants in operation—Bouvry Exports Calgary Ltd. in Alberta and Viande Richelieu in Quebec. The resulting consolidation prompted the federal government to discontinue reporting data for the total number of horses slaughtered.

More recently, following the closure of the Bouvry Exports plant, Viande Richelieu Meat Inc. in Quebec became the sole federally licensed establishment permitted to slaughter horses and export horse meat.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲

Although Canada continues to publish data on U.S. horses imported for slaughter, live Canadian horse exports for slaughter, and the volume of horse meat exported, it no longer reports the total number of horses slaughtered domestically. The absence of this information has led to speculation about how many horses are killed each year and how many of them are Canadian.

We recently obtained government records that included the total number of horses slaughtered per year from 2010 to 2022. By subtracting the number of U.S. horses imported for immediate slaughter, we calculated the annual number of domestic horses who were killed.

Details can be found here: https://bit.ly/49FdxGZ and under the Stats heading on our website: https://bit.ly/43czOZb

06/04/2026

Picture yourself driving along, some lonely country road somewhere, casually glancing out your side window. And you see this!

You look twice. The scene is breathtaking - and so natural. The hot afternoon sun with its highlights, showcasing Canada's wild side, just for you.

But you wonder where this horse came from. You don't give it much thought, other than in that moment. You don't know (how could you) that this horse is part of a lineage that has been here for over 400 years. You don't know how lucky you are to see this, that you are one of the very few. For as huge as Canada is, there are only 5 places across the entire country where wild horses still survive - where they have been permitted to survive - for now. And you are in one of these places - Alberta.

Without proper management plans, however, the chances of seeing these horses free on the landscapes is quickly diminishing. Speak up and let your MLA, MPs, Premier know you want better protections and management plans that are built on sound science.




(photo taken with a long lens and cropped)

05/30/2026

As part of our Call to Action we have loaded a letter to the Minister of Forestry and Parks onto our HAWS website for Alberta residents to sign (https://helpalbertawildiessociety.com/call-to-action/). It is so important that Alberta's elected officials hear from their constituents. A huge thank you to those who have already signed - almost 700 of you now, and growing!

It is also important for those of you who live outside of Alberta, in Canada and in other countries to voice your thoughts and concerns. For you, we have drafted a second letter. While it is taking time to load onto our website, we thought it would be helpful to share it here. You can simply copy and paste into your email (don't forget to copy the subject line and insert all of the CC addresses), add your personal thoughts if you like - and click send. Done!

Thank you from all of us here at HAWS!

Michelle



=============================================
COPY FROM HERE, do not copy the graphic, it is not editable
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Honourable Todd Loewen
Minister of Forestry and Parks
Government of Alberta
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Subject: The Economic and Ecological Value of Alberta’s Mountain Horses

Dear Minister Loewen,

I am writing to you as someone who deeply admires the natural beauty of Alberta. Although I do not reside in the province, Alberta’s remarkable landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and iconic wildlife are among the reasons why I - and many others like me - regard Alberta as a truly “must-visit” destination. In particular, the free-roaming Alberta Mountain Horses represent your most unique and meaningful symbol of the province’s landscapes and heritage, embodying the spirit and resilience that make Alberta so admired by visitors from across Canada and around the world.

I am concerned to learn about the current management activities aimed at reducing the population of these horses. As one of countless others who value Alberta’s natural heritage – whether as visitors to your province or through a shared concern for the protection of wildlife and wild spaces - I urge you to halt all removals and use of contraceptives until a management plan is established that is based on robust, transparent, and evidence-based data.

For international and out-of-province travelers, the opportunity to see the Alberta Mountain Horses in their natural habitat is a unique draw that rivals the appeal of the National Parks. Wildlife tourism is a significant driver of economic growth, and visitors coming to see Alberta’s Mountain Horses contribute directly to local economies through accommodations, guiding services, dining, transportation, and other tourism-related spending.

In an era where travelers increasingly seek authentic, "rewilding" experiences, Alberta’s free-roaming horses represent a rare and invaluable ecological treasure. To lose them or even reduce their numbers would diminish Alberta’s brand as a world leader in wildlife conservation. Their loss or continued decline would not only be ecologically significant but would also negatively impact Alberta’s global reputation as a destination for authentic wildlife experiences. Visitors are drawn to places where wildlife is protected and allowed to thrive, not managed in ways that risk its disappearance.

I respectfully ask that your Ministry reassess its current approach and prioritize the protection of the Alberta Mountain Horses as a vital component of Alberta’s identity. The world is watching how Alberta chooses to manage this irreplaceable treasure.

Thank you for your time and for considering the perspective of the global community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Province/State and Country]

Cc:
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta - [email protected]
Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas – [email protected]
Sarah Elmeligi, Shadow Minister for the Environment – [email protected]
Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport – [email protected]

05/27/2026

As exciting as spring is in wild horse country with the arrival of new life, it is just as dangerous. Foals are easy targets for predators, injuries are common from stallion battles, highway and landscape hazards are elevated.

But for just a minute - a glorious minute - this mare and her foal stood still to soak up the warm sunlight.




(taken with a long lens, spring 2025)

05/25/2026

Canadian Horse Slaughter Statistics
January to December 2025

The 2025 fourth quarter horse slaughter figures have been released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, covering the January to December time period.

While exports of horse meat and live horses to Japan for slaughter decreased compared to the same period last year, we were disappointed to see that the number of horses imported from the U.S. for slaughter increased.

• Live Horse Exports for Slaughter (section outlined in red in the chart) – 2,601 horses, which represents a 20.3% decrease (down from 3,265 horses during the same time period in 2024)

• US Horse Imports for Slaughter (outlined in blue) – 3,698 horses, up 23.6% (2,993 were exported from the US in 2024).

• Horse Meat Exports (outlined in orange) –1,199 metric tonnes, a 15.3% decrease (down from 1,416 metric tonnes in 2024)

More details can be found under the Stats heading on the CHDC’s website: https://bit.ly/4ooXoeH

05/23/2026