Feral Horses in Miller Creek
Update 5/27/2026:
The county commissioners opened a public hearing on a draft resolution related to the feral horses at their June 11 public hearing meeting, and also took public comment. Click here to view the meeting recording.
The draft resolution is not final and could be updated based on resident feedback and other information.
The hearing is expected to be open for at least 30 days. Residents are invited to submit public comment on this draft resolution using the comment tool below. When another meeting is set, project followers will be notified of this meeting date. Follow this project page at the right-hand side of this page.
Click here to read the draft resolution.
Residents are welcome to come to the next public hearing meeting on Thursday, July 23.
- In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
- Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings
Project Background
It is not clear under state law which agency, if any, has jurisdiction to manage feral horses in Montana. After discussing the issue with the Montana Department of Livestock, Missoula County convened the following agency representatives with subject matter expertise in land and livestock management, ecology and law enforcement:
- Dan Bugni, Lindsey Simon, Dustin Datisman, Jay Bodner, Tahnee Szymanski – Montana Department of Livestock
- Chuck Casper – MPG Ranch
- Natalie Sullivan – MSU Extension Office
- Randy Arnold – Missoula County Lands, Culture and Recreation
- Chris Lounsbury – Missoula County Commissioners’ Office
- Paul Pfau – Montana Highway Patrol
- Jeremiah Petersen – Missoula County Sheriff’s Office
- Bryce Christians – Missoula County Ecology and Extension
- Chet Crowser – Missoula County Office of Lands and Communities
- Bart Morris – Oxbow Cattle Co.
The group discussed the following considerations:
History & Biology
Feral horses have been part of the Missoula County landscape for more than a century, with historical accounts dating back to the early 1900s. Private landowners have periodically conducted roundups of feral horses on their properties, The roundups most recently occurred in 1991, 2003, 2012 and 2023 (in the most recent roundup, the horses were sold to buyers interested in their rodeo stock lineage). Horses continue to remain in the area today, and a smaller band has moved closer to residential areas, raising new questions about safety and management.
- Horses require about 35 acres per head for sustainable grazing, based on the Animal Unit Month (AUM) standard.
- Development pressures are reducing available range.
- Populations can double every 4 to 5 years, and gestation lasts about 11 months.
- Several bands exist in the Miller Creek and surrounding areas, with some groups consistently in residential subdivisions.
Health Concerns
- Feral horses pose limited risk to other species, but domestic horses can be affected.
- Diseases of concern include EHV-1, influenza, equine infectious anemia, salmonella, pigeon fever and equine piroplasmosis (which can remain undetected for long periods).
- The spread of disease can impact the livelihood of landowners in the area who depend on domestic horses to conduct business.
- Vaccines exist for some diseases but are not fully preventative. There are also logistical considerations around how to contain and vaccinate the feral horses.
Public Safety
- A documented vehicle collision occurred in September 2025, resulting in the death of one of the feral stallions.
- Horses can weigh up to 1,500 lbs., creating significant hazards on roadways.
- Stallions may be aggressive and territorial, especially near homes.
- Horse bites are extremely strong — capable of crushing bone without breaking the skin.
- Dogs and horses do not mix well; protective instincts around foals increase risk to both animals.
Legal and Jurisdiction Considerations
- Horses are considered abandoned livestock, not wildlife. This differs from urban deer and other wildlife, which fall the authority under Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
- Jurisdiction primarily falls to private landowners, county and state entities, not federal. The horses primarily being on private property is the main complicating factor; if they were on public land, government agencies would have clearer jurisdiction.
- Relevant Montana Code Annotated sections:
- Abandoned Horses: MCA § 81-4-5
- Estray Horses: MCA § 81-4-6
- Herd Districts: MCA § 81-4-3
- Additional legal framework: Title 81, Livestock
Community Perspectives
- Many residents value the horses and want to see them documented and monitored.
- Others express concerns about safety, property damage, and disease transmission.
- Local agricultural producers worry about the spread of disease and other impacts on domestic horses and business operations.
Who's Listening
-
Phone 406-258-3293
I am not a resident of the Miller Creek area, so my personal opinion on the horses' presence may be less relevant here. However, I am a resident of Missoula County, and I do have comments within the scope of this draft resolution.
The draft resolution is largely a restatement of existing state law, drawing heavily on MCA Title 81, Chapter 4, Part 5. Because the proposed process relies substantially on existing statutory authority, it is important that the resolution clearly explain how it relates to and interacts with that authority.
First, Section 3 creates a new county-designated “Official” through whom landowners must proceed before exercising rights otherwise established under state law. The resolution does not explain why this additional bureaucratic layer is necessary, what benefit it provides to residents of the Miller Creek area, what responsibilities the Official will perform beyond those already assigned by statute, or how the position will be funded.
Second, the resolution should clarify how the proposed process relates to MCA 81-4-503, which establishes a mandatory roundup process upon petition. The draft does not indicate whether that statutory process remains fully available to affected landowners or how the two procedures would interact.
Third, Section 2 defines “Abandoned Horses” differently than MCA 81-4-501. The resolution should explain how the county’s definition relates to the statutory definition and whether any legal significance attaches to the difference.
Fourth, Section 7 places all costs on private landowners. However, MCA 81-4-512 establishes an Abandoned Horse Fund that may be available to offset some costs associated with abandoned horse management. The resolution should clarify whether and under what circumstances those funds may be available.
Finally, the process described in the draft resolution appears better suited to livestock operations with the facilities and personnel necessary to capture and hold horses. Many affected landowners in the Miller Creek area lack this infrastructure and may be unable to implement the process. Further, the resolution does not clarify what is to happen if the horses do not remain on a particular complainant’s property long enough for the “Official” to respond and allow the process to proceed. The resolution should address whether the proposed mechanism is realistically available to all residents who may want to use it.
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I love the wild horses in our neighborhood !
Please leave them be - this has been their home for years and
They are very gentle , happy and healthy
People should be educated not to pet or feed them - I’m guessing that’s why the one child was kicked -
I feel lucky to live in a neighborhood that shares the land with these beautiful creatures !!
This was posted on Missoula Cycling Facebook page in August, 2025:
For the 2nd time in less than a month we have run into loose horses on Upper Miller Creek. Last time they were just hanging out up near the top of the first climb and were not an issue for us per se. Just an odd sight, horses chilling out in the middle of the road.
Today, they were running panicked up the road just before Trails End and were a threat to anything in their path. We rode off into the ditch to avoid them and one barrel rolled over the barbed wire fence across from me, landed on its back and then ran off.
Another cyclist speculated that they were wild horses. Anyone know anything about this? Are they someone's horses that keep getting out? Are they wild? Having 8-10 full grown horses running up the road right at us was a bit frightening and I don't frighten easily
I will just be short. Please leave the horses alone in Miller Creek.
The resolution does not address or present a realistic solution for the current safety concerns voiced by area residents - it puts the burden on people who had nothing to do with the problem and plays to the feelings of the people who like them here. This is not a campaign issue - it is a safety and health issue. The resolution as proposed turns your back on the real problem. It is not "if" but "when" the feral animals at large will create a disaster or health incident. I sincerely hope a school bus is not involved because the commissioner's failure to properly address the issue will be dually noted and litigated.
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My Name is Shawndelle. I am a wild horse advocate in Helena Montana. Please don't remove the horses from Miller Creek with out trying some other things first. I have been around wild horses in Arizona as well as other states and have seen how they are managed there. I have connections with the management group in Arizona. Education is key here. People need to know what they should and should not do. For example, People need to stay at least 50 feet away if not more. For traffic post speed limit signs and signs to let people know there are horses in the area. I have other ideas you can do. I would love to meet with anyone who wants to discuss things you can do to protect both the horses and people. Feel free to send me a message at mtbluebird27@yahoo.com and we can set up a time to talk more in depth about what I know. I would be willing to come to Missoula to meet anyone and to help get a group of volunteers organized and to help educate people.
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Please listen to the residents of Miller Creek who overwhelmingly want the horses left alone. They have been here far longer than most people involved in county government, and I have to wonder why there is a concern now. Do not listen to the vocal minority but rather the (up until now) silent majority that have coexisted with the wild horses for years.
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My name is Sheila Cushing and I live in Missoula. I normally keep my opinions to myself by I have come to love these horses. I have only lived in Montana for 2 years and I came from an extremely populated area in New Jersey. It is not often to see horses and other farm animals and it is unheard of to see wild horses. Therefore, my biggest "Welcome to Montana" moment was seeing the wild horses outside of my apartment.
I feel strongly about leaving the horses alone. They are no different than if a bear were to be on people's property or the many herds of deer that like to run across the street while you're driving 35 mph. These beautiful horses do not cause trouble and just want to be left alone. We are on their land, they came first. The issues that have come up in the past with these horses are caused by human error and lack of awareness of these animals. Education should be provided to the residents including the "Do's and don'ts" about what to do when coming across them. They are able to care for themselves and should be able to live as they please. I know I am not from here and have not lived here long, but I truly feel strongly that these horses should just be allowed to live their life.
I think it isnt right to catch the horses and force them onto random pastures. They have been a family for so long. Leave them wild and free. The only way if they are to cause to much trouble to humans who take over the land is to relocate them to land where they can still be free and flourish as a group on their own. Think about the horses on wild horse island, but some where local where they are not "owned" by humans. This should be revisited IF they become more of a burden.
My name is Leslie Tugman and I live in Missoula County. In fact, my home is one of several on the site of the old rodeo fairgrounds from which it is said the descendants of our feral horses originated. The horses visit our area often and I am in support of some form of management that allows them to remain.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed Resolution, which in my view seems to be prematurely advanced without apparent consideration of alternative measures or balanced committee representation.
The stated purpose of the resolution is to allow the capture, inspection and transfer of the horses. The resolution does not demonstrate exploration of alternate solutions such as restricting herd size, managed veterinary inspections, community regulation regarding human interaction with the horses or identification of a non-profit or other organization who might execute and fund these or other options.
The committee that drafted this resolution is composed of representatives of the county, city, other regulatory bodies, a conservation research institute, and Oxbow Ranch - a commercial business. It appears that there was no representation of regular citizens living in the affected area and who support maintaining the horses in some manner.
Questions:
1. Why is this resolution before the council at this stage? Since only regulators, lawmakers and a commercial entity were on the authoring committee, and no citizens living in the Miller Creek area were included, it seems premature to put forward a resolution that allows removal of the horses. Given the outpouring of support for the horses, why was there no citizen in support of the horses on the committee that authored the resolution?
2.) Will this hearing for public comment be used as a process for amending the resolution or in submitting an alternate resolution?
Given these open questions, I respectfully request that the following steps be taken:
1) Balance representation of the resolution committee to include one or more community members who live in the area and who are affected by the horses. There should be balanced representation of members including those who are open to options that support maintaining the horses in some manner.
2) Encourage the council to continue to research this matter and to include in their research, best practices of other communities in the country that have successfully managed wild horses in harmony with neighboring people. I site as examples the Wild Horses of Chincoteague Island in Virginia and the Corolla Wild horses of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
3) If necessary, extend the public comment period to ensure that all community voices are heard to allow for thorough examination of the issue.
Good afternoon, Commissioners. My name is Tammy Staat from Missoula.
I want to begin by saying that I agree with the purpose of this resolution. Thank you for taking the time to consider and draft this resolution. Public safety, humane treatment, and responsible management are important goals. The County has authority under MCA Title 7, and the Department of Livestock has authority under MCA Title 81. A process is needed, and I am not here to oppose that.
I am asking you to address three legal gaps before you vote, because as written, this resolution could harm the horses instead of helping them. Capture and removal cannot be the only solution.
First, the conflict between Section 2 and Title 81. Section 2 states that this resolution applies only to abandoned horses and does not apply to estray livestock. However, as attorney David Aronofsky pointed out, most Miller Creek horses appear to meet both definitions: abandoned horses under MCA 81-4-501 and estray livestock under MCA 81-4-601. That creates a jurisdictional conflict between the County and the Department of Livestock. If estrays are excluded, then the herd may be excluded as well. Please amend Section 2 to include estray horses, or require the County and DOL to resolve this conflict before the resolution takes effect.
Second, MCA 27-30-204 allows landowners to remove or destroy nuisances. We recognize that landowners have rights. However, Section 6 currently makes Department of Livestock sale procedures the primary outcome. That creates pressure toward lethal solutions instead of relocation. Please amend Section 6 so that rescue placement and no-kill options are prioritized, with auction sale used only as a last resort. Also consider funding impoundment under MCA 81-4-326 so landowners have practical alternatives besides destroying horses.
Third, and most important, create a real management program. Section 1 speaks about humane treatment. Humane treatment should mean more than paperwork and removal. Add coexistence measures: prohibit feeding, petting, and harassing horses; install roadway signage; designate a single agency to respond to conflicts and injured animals; and establish a nonprofit or volunteer management program to monitor the herd, track health, and coordinate responses. We could also consider targeted management tools such as removing young stallions and fertility control for mares.
The Miller Creek community lives with these horses every day. Many residents value these horses and consider them part of the community. At the same time, there have been vehicle collisions, a child injured by a kick, a foal shot with a BB gun, and horses consuming chemically treated landscaping. Concerns about disease spreading to other livestock. These are real concerns.
The western heritage and history of these herds matter. For more than 70 years, people and horses have coexisted here. Experience shows that roundups alone do not solve the problem because other horses move into the area.
Commissioners, I agree that a process is needed. But let us make this a Miller Creek Coexistence Resolution, not simply a capture-and-remove resolution. That does not resolve or mitigate this concern long-term. Use the tools available under Montana law, resolve the estray-abandoned conflict, protect landowners and drivers, and preserve the horses that are part of our community.
This is not horses versus people. It is the Miller Creek community taking care of Miller Creek horses which are beautiful and cherished livestock that roam free and make Montana the last best place to live.
Thank you.
Tammy Staat
I am a resident of Upper Linda Vista and frequently have the horses in my yard or in the nearby park. I enjoy seeing them but, as a lifelong horse person, I know that their presence in the neighborhood is not ideal. It puts them into conflict with people, cars and dogs. There have already been two horse/car collisions, a child being kicked and numerous people who have been petting and feeding them. Someone also shot one of the foals with a BB gun. It is also not healthy for them to be eating the lush, chemically treated lawns.
I have read the resolution and I am disappointed. It seems to only be concerned with the removal of the horses. The vast majority of residents do not want them to be removed. They are a unique aspect of the neighborhood. I would like to see policies enacted for coexistence with the horses. This could include:
-Public education
-Making in unlawful to pet, feed or harass the horses and make it enforceable.
-Signage along roadways they frequent
-Designating an agency to respond to conflicts and sick or injured horses
-Creating a volunteer group to help with tracking the herd and keeping them safe
I hope the county will listen to its citizens and not just its corporate interests. I hope they will enact a more comprehensive plan to ensure the continued safety of both the horses and the public.