A wild horse or burro, as defined by federal law, is an unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming horse or burro found on public lands in the United States.  

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Wild horses and burros are descendants of animals released by or escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, the US cavalry and American Indians.  Spanish explorers first introduced horses to the Americas in the 1500s.  Horses and burros were crucial to survival for settlers and pioneers for activities such as transportation and agriculture.