wild horses

A federal judge delivered a blow to wild horse conservationists on Monday evening by ending efforts to prevent the removal of roughly 88 wild horses from the Ochoco National Forest in eastern Oregon.

While horses can hurt their environment if left unchecked, some experts say it's possible to manage small numbers of them. The Forest Service refuses to entertain the idea.

Conservationists say the presence of horses in national forests contributes to the decline of numerous endangered species, but others point to environmental benefits like reducing wildfire risk.

Development in the area has disrupted habitat and water sources for horses and other wildlife, nudging them closer to civilization and highways, experts say.