Last updated: July 16, 2024
Thing to Do
See the Wild Horses
Courtesy of Rob Barth
Where to See the Horses
These herds roam freely along the riverways, so there is no precise way to track their location. Generally speaking, the horses can be found in large, grassy fields along the river near Eminence. A list of the most frequent locations can be found below:
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Shawnee Creek
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Broadfoot
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Round Spring
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Echo Bluff State Park
Safety
Visitors (and their pets) must follow the safety guidelines below:
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Visitors and pets should always stay at least 100 feet away from horses.
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Do not intentionally approach horses or try to have them approach you.
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Feeding of wild horses is prohibited.
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Do not disturb horse traps – these are used to safely corral horses for adoption.
Wild horses are typically non-aggressive, and they spend most of their time grazing or moving between fields. Like the riverways, horses can be majestic and peaceful. However, both must be treated with caution and respect.
If provoked, horses are capable of harm to people or property. On average, adult horses weigh between 900 and 2,000 pounds. A single kick can deliver between 350-500 pounds of force – more than enough to seriously injure or kill.
Apart from injury, interacting with wild horses can have other adverse effects. Feeding can cause horses to become reliant on human food. Attracting horses to developed areas increases the risk of car accidents or property damage.
Help keep yourself and our wildlife safe: only observe horses from a safe distance.
Wild Horse Management
Horses within the park are managed by a partner organization. Visit our page about the Missouri Wild Horse League to learn how they maintain healthy herds. This page also contains information on the history of wild horses within the riverways!
Details
Activity
Wildlife Watching
Whether they're running, playing, or simply feeding on grass, horses can be a majestic sight along the riverways.
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Visitors and pets must always stay at least 100 feet away from wild horses.
While pets are allowed within most areas of the park, we discourage visitors from bringing pets to see the wild horses. Pets can spook the horses, and horses are capable of causing injury or death to a pet.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Multiple Locations
These herds roam freely along the riverways, so there is no precise way to track their location. Generally speaking, the horses can be found in large, grassy fields along the river near Eminence. A list of the most frequent locations can be found below:
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Shawnee Creek
-
Broadfoot
-
Round Spring
-
Echo Bluff State Park
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
The horses are most easily seen during daylight hours. They can be harder to find at night.
Accessibility Information
Locations like Echo Bluff State Park and Round Spring have accessible trails that may bring you closer to the horses. Other backcountry locations, like Shawnee Creek or Broadfoot, are often inaccessible due to rough, natural terrain.