News Release

 

For Release: September 10, 2002

Contact:  Doran Sanchez, (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov

CA-610-02-79

 

BLM Adopt A Wild Horse and Burro Program Returns to Ramona

 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled a wild horse and burro adoption at the Ramona Fairgrounds in Ramona, California on October 5-6 in conjunction with the third annual Ramona Information Days for Equestrians event. Approximately 80 mustangs and 20 burros will be offered to qualified adopters through the BLM?s Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program.

 

Severe drought conditions and wildfires throughout the western United States have destroyed thousands of acres of habitat for America?s wild horses and burros.  BLM has been conducting emergency gathers to save as many of these animals as possible and removed more than 8,000 wild horses and burros.

 

BLM also monitors the herds and removes animals when they 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 now needs to find good homes for these wild horses and burros.  The animals have been wormed and vaccinated and are in excellent health, and are just waiting for qualified adopters, such as yourself, to give them a good home. 

 

The animals will arrive at the fairgrounds around noon on Friday.  Potential adopters are welcome to visit that afternoon and view the animals.  BLM staff will approve applications on Friday and throughout the weekend.  BLM will open the facility 7 a.m. each morning to provide adopters additional time to complete their applications and view the animals.

 

The adoption will be conducted by silent competitive bid from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday morning only.  The minimum bid is $125 per animal.  Adopters must have their applications approved prior to the beginning of the competitive bid. 

 

When the competitive bid is over, adoptions will be conducted on a first come, first served basis the remainder of Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Cash, check or credit card may pay adoption fees.

 

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.

 

The adoption will also include free horse gentling and training demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday by Phil West, who has adopted several mustangs during the past few years.  West is a mounted patrol officer with the Bishop Police Department and has used Abby, now a 10-year-old mustang, on the mounted patrol for seven years.  After each demonstration, the mustang will be offered for adoption.

 

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).

 

The Ramona Information Days for Equestrians (R.I.D.E.) has scheduled events throughout the weekend, which will include, educational speakers, an equine services fair and swap meet, a Mexican buffet with demonstrations and entertainment Saturday evening, cowboy church Sunday morning, drawings and give-a-ways by event sponsors throughout the weekend, and horse handling demonstrations with Jerry Tindell.

 

 

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 also will be available to help adopters transport their newly adopted animal(s).

 

The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption.  During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal.  More than 185,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973. Local adopters also will have their mustangs or burros at the event and be available to talk with potential adopters.

 

For more information about the adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program, contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220, and for additional information about the R.I.D.E. events scheduled throughout the weekend contact Patty Bevers, event coordinator, at (760) 788-0897.

 

-BLM-

 

California Desert District Office
6221 Box Springs Blvd, Riverside, California
(909) 697-5220