For Release: October 8, 2003
Contact: Doran Sanchez, (909) 697-5220
CA-CDD-04-03

Special Halloween Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Scheduled at Descanso

This Halloween could just be the greatest "trick and treat" opportunity for people throughout southern California who have ever considered adopting a wild horse and burro.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled a wild horse and burro adoption at American Meadow in Descanso on October 25-26 where 80 Mustangs and 20 burros will be offered to qualified adopters through the BLM's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program. The meadow is adjacent to McClintock Saddle Works, located at 25077 Viejas Boulevard in Descanso.

"The treat is that the horses BLM will be offering for adoption were rounded up in northern California earlier this year and are of exceptional size and color," said Tom Pogacnik, BLM's California Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead. "So the trick is not to miss this adoption!"

BLM 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 to give them a good home," added Pogacnik.

The animals will arrive at American Meadow located adjacent to McClintock Saddle Works 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 and answer questions about the animals. BLM will open the facility 7 a.m. on Saturday to provide adopters additional time to complete 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.

After the competitive bid 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. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

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.

Phil West will conduct free horse gentling demonstrations from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. West is a deputy sheriff with the Mono County Sheriff's Department and has adopted several Mustangs during the past few years. He has used Abby, an 11-year-old Mustang, for Mounted Patrol for eight years. After each gentling demonstration the Mustang will be offered for adoption.

"Mustangs make excellent riding stock," said West. "And properly trained some adopted Mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail, endurance, and jumping,"

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 200,000 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/burros at the event and be available to talk with potential adopters.

To reach the adoption site take the Highway 79 exit to Descanso off Interstate 8 and go north. Follow the road to Descanso (about two miles). American Meadow will be on the left.

For more information about the adoption 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, October 24, 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
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, California - (909) 697-5220