A recent evaluation by a National Research Council committee sheds light on the National Wild Horses and Burros Program.
E: The animals moved from public lands are eventually moved to long-term holding facilities if they are unadoptable, but the BLM tries first to sell or adopt them, or move them to short-term holding facilities if they believe they will be adopted. As protected animals, horses and burros removed from public lands are not slaughtered or euthanized if healthy.