For Immediate Release: December 1, 2003
Contact: Doran Sanchez, (909) 697-5220
CA-CDD-04-12

Special Mustang Weanling Adoption Scheduled Near Ridgecrest

It won't fit under the tree or into a stocking . . . but a mustang weanling . . . or a burro . . . could certainly light up the Christmas spirit and fill your heart with glee for many years to come.

The animals will be offered to qualified adopters during a very special 1-day adoption on Saturday, December 13 at the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corral Facility near Ridgecrest, California. The corrals are located on the Randsburg Wash Road off Highway 178, four and a half miles east of Ridgecrest, California

The adoption will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be conducted by first come, first served. The adoption fee is $125 per animal. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card, and help defray the cost of gathering and preparing the animals for adoption.

Approximately 150 mustang weanlings from sanctuaries located in Kansas and Colorado will be looking for a good home. Other potential adoptees include more than 150 one and two year mustang geldings and mares gathered from public lands in California and Nevada, and about 100 burros from the Mojave National Preserve (some pink and rust colored).

"Unfortunately, Santa doesn't have room on his sleigh to bring you a wild horse or burro, but he's asked us to let you know we have them available here in Ridgecrest," said Dan Anderson, BLM's wild horse and burro corral manager. "By this time next year, you could even have one trained to pull your own sleigh for the holidays."

To qualify to adopt a wild horse or burro, adopters must be at least 18 years old, have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. Adopters must be a resident of the United States and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Qualified individuals with proper facilities 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.

"Mustangs make excellent riding stock and properly trained, some adopted mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail endurance, and jumping," added Anderson. "Burros make excellent companion animals, and can be used for packing, pulling carts, and protecting livestock from predators."

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. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved.

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 205,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

For more information about this special 1-day weanling adoption contact the BLM at 800-951-8720.

-BLM-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the adoption anytime. However, Saturday morning generally provides excellent opportunities to 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