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For Immediate Release: September 5, 2000
Contact: Doran Sanchez, (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov
Emergency Gather Underway to Save Wild Horses and Burros
Wild Mustangs and Burros Headed to Ramona
Severe drought conditions and recent wildfires throughout the western United States have destroyed thousands of acres of habitat for America's wild horses and burros, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is conducting emergency gathers to save as many of these animals as possible.
"We are facing emergency gathers of more than 4,000 animals," said Lee Delaney, Group Manager for the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program. "BLM needs to find good homes for the 4,000 wild horses and burros we have in our corral facilities to make room for the animals we are gathering."
Beyond the emergency gathers, BLM routinely monitors the herds and removes animals when the begin to over populate their herd area. These removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.
BLM has scheduled a wild horse and burro adoption at the Mountain Valley Ranch near Ramona on September 9-10 and will offer 80 Mustangs and 20 burros to qualified adopters through its Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program. The Mustangs (yearlings, geldings and mares up to five years old) and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada. The animals have been wormed and vaccinated and are in excellent health.
The wild Mustangs and burros will arrive at the Mountain Valley Ranch around noon on Friday, September 8. Potential adopters may view the animals on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. BLM staff will approve adoption applications Friday afternoon and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday and Sunday.
The adoption will be conducted by competitive bid Saturday morning only from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., which provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice. Adopters will receive a bidder number once their application is approved, which they must have to participate in the competitive bid portion of the adoption. The minimum fee for the competitive bid will start at $125 per animal. Animals not selected during the competitive bid will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for $125 per animal.
The adoption fee may be paid by cash, credit card, check, or money order. Adoption fees are used to help defray the cost of gathering and preparing the animals for adoption. Qualified individuals with proper facilities may adopt up to four animals.
Individuals must be at least 18 years old and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Adopters also must have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. Qualified individuals may adopt up to four animals.
Newly adopted wild horses or burros must be kept in an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet (20' x 20' or larger) per animal. Corral fences must be at least 4 ½ feet high for burros and 6 feet high for ungentled horses. Horses under 18 months of age may be kept in corrals with fences 5 feet high. Fences should be of pole, pipe, or plank construction. Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals. The corral also must contain a structure to provide shelter for the animal.
Adopters should bring a nylon web halter and 20-foot cotton lead rope for each animal. A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Drop ramp trailers will not be allowed. The wranglers will load the animals into the trailers. Private carriers will be available to help adopters transport their newly adopted animal(s) home if needed.
Mustangs make excellent riding stock, and properly trained some adopted Mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail, endurance, and jumping. BLM wranglers and personnel will be available to answer questions and help adopters select their animal(s).
Phil West, a mounted patrol officer with the Bishop Police Department, has adopted several Mustangs during the past few years. He has used Abby, now a 9-year-old Mustang, on the Bishop Mounted Patrol for six years. West will give gentling demonstrations beginning 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday during the adoption. After each demonstration, the Mustang will be offered for adoption.
The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During the year, a BLM or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal.
After the first year, adopters may apply for title. BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process. More than 175,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.
To reach the Mountain Valley Ranch, take Highway 78 from Interstate 15 and go east to Ramona (15-20 minutes). Take the Main Street exit in Ramona and go left. Go approximately two miles to Magnolia and turn left. The arena will be on the right. Follow the BLM signs to the adoption site.
For more information about the BLM's wild horse and burro adoption at the Mountain Valley Ranch or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program, contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220.
-BLM-
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the adoption anytime. We will deliver the animals about noon on Friday, September 8, which generally provides excellent photo opportunities. Or, if you would prefer, come Saturday and Sunday morning and interview and photograph adopters with their newfound friend(s). For more information contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220.
California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220 |
