For Release: August 26, 2003
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-03-84

Wild horses and burros available for adoption in Stockton

Wild horses and burros from western public rangelands are headed to the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton next month, where they will be available for public adoption.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer 80 horses, including halter-trained yearlings, and 20 burros to qualified adopters on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Potential adopters can get a preview look at the animals when they arrive at the fairgrounds Friday, Sept. 19, at about 2 p.m.
"These horses and burros have received vaccinations and worming," said Mindy Odom, a BLM wild horse and burro specialist from Bakersfield. "Each has a complete set of health care records. The animals are ready for gentling and training."

The horses coming to Stockton were gathered from heard areas in northeast California and Northwest Nevada, including the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area, which is known for producing good-sized animals. Burros were captured from areas primarily in southern California deserts.
The adoption event begins with an hour of silent bidding from 9 to 10 a.m., Saturday. Bidding starts at $125. Animals not taken during bidding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for BLM's standard $125 adoption fee.

The adoption event will also feature free horse training demonstrations Saturday and Sunday.

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have the ability and financial means to care for a wild horse or burro. They can have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals.

At home, adopters must provide 400 square feet of living space per animal in a corral surrounded by a six-foot pipe or board fence. Horses under 2-years old can be kept in corrals with five-and-a-half-foot fences; four-and-a-half-foot fences are allowed for burros. A two-sided shelter, with a roof, is required for protection from severe weather.

Adopted animals must be kept in this area until they can be approached, handled, haltered and led. No-gentled animals should never be turned loose in large, open pastures.

Adopted animals must be taken from the fairgrounds by 3 p.m., Sunday. Adopters must provide a halter and lead rope. BLM wranglers will halter and load animals into adopters' trailers. Horses over two-years old must be transported in stock trailers with side-swinging gates (drop ramps are not allowed). Fully enclosed two-horse trailers, with center dividers removed, are allowed for burros and yearlings.

Title to adopted wild horses and burros remains with the federal government for one year. After providing a year of good care, adopters can receive title. During the adoption period, BLM will check on the animals' condition. During these checks, BLM staff can also provide information about training mentors who can provide advice and assistance in gentling and training.

"Wild horses are intelligent, strong and very trainable," Odom said. "They are known for their strong legs and feet. Adopters use them for trail riding, backcountry packing, pleasure riding and competition, such as endurance riding. People train burros for packing, pulling carts and riding. Some even use them to protect grazing sheep from predators."

A federal law, the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, protects wild horses and burros. The law protects the animals living on public lands managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, and requires the agencies to manage will populations in balance with other range users. BLM periodically gathers horses and burros from rangelands when populations grow too large for the range to support.

More than 180,000 animals have been placed in private care since the Adopt a Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

More information on the adoption event and wild horse and burro management is available by calling toll free 1-866-4MUSTANGS, or by visiting the website at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team - 2950 Riverside Drive -Susanville, CA 96130