Feral Horses in Miller Creek
Missoula County is currently exploring options to address concerns around feral horses that roam between the Miller Creek area of Missoula and south into the Bitterroot Valley. This specific band of horses, believed to be descended from rodeo stock from a former ranch that existed in Miller Creek in the 1970s, have become increasingly present in densely populated residential areas over the last few years.
Residents have raised concerns about these horses related to public safety, spread of disease, their impact on area livestock, and increased habituation to people and human food sources. The County has also heard from residents who enjoy the feral horses' presence in their neighborhoods.
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 met in December and discussed the following considerations:
Background
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 equine herpes, 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.
This group will continue to explore potential options for managing the feral horses and provide staff with their recommendations.
The County will engage the public on any potential recommendations sometime in the next few months, which will include a public open house highlighting the recommendations and providing residents with a chance to bring any questions or concerns to staff. The County is looking to hold the open house sometime in February or early March. Many considerations go into planning a public event, including participant schedules and venue availability.
The county commissioners would then consider adopting the recommendations at one of their public meetings, which take place most Thursdays at 2 p.m. Information on future meetings will also be posted on this page.
Click the subscribe button to the right to receive updates on next steps when they are determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the people in the advisory group being paid?
A: No, they are volunteering their time and expertise or are participating as part of their regular job duties.
Q: Are county staff meeting with individual residents for their input outside of the group with subject matter expertise?
A: No, staff have not met with individuals who are not part of the advisory group. Some individuals have provided public comment to the commissioners at public meetings, which take place regularly and are open to anyone.
Q: Aren't these horses protected under federal law?
A: No, the federal Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 does not apply to these horses. The band of Miller Creek horses, and the larger herd that roams between Upper Miller Creek and Florence, occupy a mix of private and state land. The 1971 Act only protects mustangs and burros on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Equines protected under this federal law are relegated to federal herd management areas. Miller Creek and the Bitterroot/Sapphire region are not herd management areas. Free-roaming horses that are not part of these federal herds fall under the jurisdiction of state law.
Q: Can residents petition to have the horses removed?
A: Yes, there is a process to petition the commissioners under a state law first enacted in 1925: MCA 81-4-503. The commissioners have received no such petition. Missoula County’s goal is to avoid this scenario by exploring a proactive management plan.
Q: Why doesn’t the County do something about the urban deer in the area instead?
A: Deer are considered wildlife and fall under the jurisdiction of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Also, much of residential area impacted by urban deer is within Missoula city limits. The City of Missoula is in discussions with FWP about how to address chronic wasting disease and other concerns around urban deer.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-3293
As a resident living on Miller Creek, I regularly drive the stretch of road where these horses can be found, often in low-light. I can say with confidence that these animals present no more risk to drivers than our local population of whitetail and mule deer, which I expect receive far fewer complaints. In fact, I find that the horses are much less dangerous than the deer, since they are generally calm and not prone to jumping into the road unexpectedly. The same is true for encounters on foot - leave wildlife be, and they'll leave you be. All told, I find the horses to be delightful neighbors.
As our community expands, and expand it will, we will encounter many challenges like these. Rather than sweeping wildlife aside, I advocate for our community's education and adaptation around this issue and other like it. For example, signage along the roadway, perhaps paired with more detailed signage at key foot-traffic spots like The Den, could help inform drivers and pedestrians of the collision risk. There is ample research on the benefits of various signage types, from bare-bones postings to light up warnings. Rumble strips at blind corners could help as well. What's more, finding ways to slow or increase caution amongst Miller Creek drivers would have the dual benefit of reducing dangerous collisions with other species like deer.
Finally, I raise the caveat that feral horses are not in fact native to this area, and their presence can in some circumstances present a problem for the ecosystem. I sincerely doubt that this is the case in Miller Creek, given the area's heavily disturbed nature and the fact that other ungulates are clearly thriving there. However, if they ever spread into places like MPG ranch and presented a threat to native grazers, then I might be in favor of a more drastic approach to population control. As it stands, I emphatically am not.
I’ve heard folks say that these horses could bring a disease to their horses, but that’s not a fact. If it was, these horses would not be in as good of health as they are.
Also, the article says children have been kicked, that’s exaggerated as it was only one. Although, one is too many, but let’s keep the facts straight as we’re not out fishing!
The horses are not the problem. The city and town were well aware of them before they began expanding the towns and city. When it comes to people being bitten or kicked, common sense should be applied to horses just like any other wild animals, DO NOT APPROACH DO NOT TOUCH. Parents need to be held responsible for the injuries to their kids should they be kicked or bitten for parental neglect due to not stopping their child from approaching a wild horse. As for car accidents, how many deer or other animals in the county have been struck by cars? This is a problem CREATED by humans that these and other wild animals are suffering for and from. 46 years horse experience, Equine Osteopath and Equine Therapist.
Leave them alone they’re beautiful animals and they’re not hurting no one. How can you put those poor animals through this? I’ll tell you what one thing for sure you’re not gonna have a very nice time if you hurt them animals like this you guys are all not telling the truth about what’s gonna happen to them. Horses are the most beautiful majestic animals in the world. They don’t need you to take care of them. They do a good job of taking care of themselves leave their families alone. Don’t separate the babies from the mamas. It’s murder. It’s just plain murder. What you’re doing to these poor animals they’ll get sold to auction for dog food or something who knows what!!!!
The horses are cherished part of our neighborhood. Would love “Watch for Wildlife” or “Watch for Horses” when entering miller creek, but otherwise please don’t disturb them.
Honestly, everyone I know wants something done about the deer population, not the horses.
Reach out to rescues. They have experience in rehoming lots of animals.
I'm a Missoula resident but not a Miller Creek resident. I sincerely believe the horses should either be rounded up and sold (to qualified buyer, not for slaughter) or relocated to BLM lands that already contain wild herds. They were abandoned by irresponsible people decades ago and as lovely as it might be to see horses grazing free in the fields, the area isn't an appropriate place for feral horses. They cause property damage and are hazardous to both themselves (traffic) and the residents of the area.
This seriously can’t be what our tax dollars are being used for!?!?!? Missoula has WAY bigger fish to fry than the wild horses. It’s extremely frustrating that this is even a thing. Go catch a glance at all the deer that look sick and litterally will hijack your groceries out your trunk before you can get them inside. It’s not like they are downtown one day and blocking traffic in reserve the next. They stay in the area that belongs to them.
Wild horses are much more pleasant than the mountain lions, bears, or transients. How about we focus on the real problems in this county such as the transients, traffic, alcohol, drugs, and lack of mental health.
I think you should leave the horses or find a way to create a preserve in which to raise a herd of them.
These horses have been here in Miller creek for as long as I can remember. The herd number has remained small and it has always been a treat to see them. This has NEVER been addressed before as they are not and were not bothering anyone. It seems as though the influx of wealthy disgruntled people has caused a small but loud uproar. The people who have had them around for years have not minded them at all. Instead of moving a harmless staple to the Miller creek neighborhood, Put some money into teaching the people to drive the speed limit and keep their eyes out of their phones. Stay away from wild animals, they do not wan’t you near them for a photo op and certainly don’t want you or your children touching them. Leave the horses alone.
Considering they are scared of vehicles and most people in general , maybe they came closer to civilization to have those 3 babies born this year !?! The other heard of boys stays far out miller creek by the river and acts the same. Either way they should be left alone. Don’t let your kids get close to enough to get kicked by a wild animal . Be smart!
Please leave them alone. I take pictures of wild horses when I am in Arizona. Here are a few things they do. They have signs posted that let people know they are in the area and to slow down. From what I can see and what I have heard there are people petting and feeding the horses which is not good. Post signs to not feed or pet the horses. You could do an education sessions to let people know what to do and not to do. Also, people should keep at least 50 feet away from them. Dogs need to be on a leash. You could create a volunteer group to be there when the horses are present to educate others on them. If you need more information please feel free to contact me at mtbluebird27@yahoo.com.
Please leave the horses where they are. Education possibly needs to be done. By pictures I am seeing and what I am hearing is that people are petting and feeding them. That should stop. Also maybe post signs stating to not feed and pet them. Also, post signs stating that they are in the area and to slow down. Post signs saying stay at least 50 feet away. I take pictures of wild horses in Arizona and that is some of the tings they do. If you want more information please email me at mtbluebird27@yahoo.com.
Are these descendants of Oral Zumwalt's herd? They belong here. Development should back off. Montana should never be for sale.
LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! they have been here long before anyone. It was their home first. they are a beautiful part of missoula history.
Sterilize mares so herd doesn't multiply. Sell off foals through BLM. Let the rest be.
First their not feral their wild. Second their not coming into the residential area humans are making their area their own. Developers bought the land subdivided it for humans. What did you think would happen. This is not going to end well for them. Please consider them as the first priority on your decision.
I’m betting that review group is made up of people that belong to the Cattle Associations. They only vote one way…round up the horses and send them to auction where most of them will be sold by the pound and sent to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. This isn’t going to be in favor of the Wild horses just from the way they are talking bad about them. God bless them all….they are about to go through the most traumatizing event of their life. Foals will be torn from their mothers, and family bands will be split apart. Most likely they will be mistreated, and several killed during the roundup process. It is people encroaching on their lands….not the horses encroaching on the people.
Horses do not destroy the land like cattle do because their manure deposits 70% of what they eat back to the land, seeds and all, which fertilizes the land. Horses also roam rather than stay in place and go to water, drink, dip and leave. Cattle stay in one area for long periods of time, often standing in the water for days destroying the water quality and riverbanks. Cattle rip the grasses out of the ground with their tongues destroying grasslands, allowing bad grass to overtake the land. Their digestive systems destroy seeds and other nutrients which is not helpful for the land.
This is all about the money for the ranchers, not about saving wild horses. We see it time-and-time-again with our public lands and BLM.
Leave the horses alone