As I looked out over a golden valley at sunset, filled with over 100 wild horses peacefully grazing together, I wondered if this might be what heaven itself will look like. This wasn’t heaven, but it was close. I was standing in the Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area 90 minutes southwest of Salt Lake City near Dugway, Utah.
This herd management area (HMA) covers over 200,000 acres and is currently home to around 450 wild horses. The Onaqui Mountain wild horse herd has been roaming this land since the late 1800s and is a favorite destination for photographers and horse lovers wanting to witness the beauty and excitement of wild horses.
Because water sources in the area are limited, smaller bands of horses come together to form several large herds with over 100 horses each. The Onaqui HMA is one of the only places where you can see this many horses traveling together and living in relative harmony.
The Onaqui Mountain wild horses are not as shy as most wild horse herds and you can get relatively close to them, which makes for exceptional photography opportunities.
Wild Horse EtiquetteYou can enjoy time with the Onaqui Mountain Wild Horses—living legends and symbols of our western heritage firsthand on our public lands. Think of yourself as a special guest of these horses and burros, and do your part not to intrude on them or their habitat by being mindful of these guidelines. ◆ When making plans to visit a herd management area (HMA), check with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office for rules, maps and information on where herds have been seen recently. — Adapted from American Wild |
| In addition to drinking, there was also plenty of drama with stallion battles and posturing. A brief storm rolled in just before sunset, making for a dramatic backdrop for photographing the herd. The rest of the afternoon was spent observing and photographing the beauty of these animals, along with herd dynamics, both tender and comical. Photos by Shelley Paulson | |
This article about the Onaqui Mountain Wild Horses originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
As U.S. athletes look back on valuable experience gained at the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals in Switzerland, the next…
If you’ve never cleaned a horse’s sheath, you probably have questions. First and foremost, is it really necessary? And more…
After a nail-biting two years of speculation about the inclusion of equestrian sports in the next Olympic Games, it was…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Equine arthritis can affect horses of all disciplines and ages, and early intervention is crucial for maintaining comfort and performance.…
Mother, grandmother, and winning 5* eventing rider—these three titles don’t typically go together. However, Tamie Smith, 49, is all of…