Appeals court: Roundup not required for overpopulated horses

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled against Wyoming officials who sought to require the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to round up wild horses from overpopulated herds.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on Tuesday upheld a ruling that federal law doesn't mandate roundup of overpopulated wild horses that compete with cattle for forage.

Wild horse advocacy groups, including the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, praised the decision. The groups' attorney, Bill Eubanks, calls it an important new precedent for wild-horse management.

Wild horse numbers exceed federal population goals in several areas across the region. Wyoming sued in 2014, saying allowing too many horses can damage rangelands.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says he is disappointed and has asked Attorney General Peter Michael to review the state's options.