For Immediate Release: August 24, 2004 CA-N-04-89
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332

WILD HORSES AND BURROS UP FOR ADOPTION IN BRENTWOOD
Public Can Also Attend ‘Wild Horse Workshop 2004’

Wild horses and burros from public rangelands in northern California and Nevada will be available for public adoption, when the Bureau of Land Management brings the animals to Brentwood, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26.

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Brentwood Oaks Equestrian Center, 1850 Arabian Lane.

“We will have an excellent selection of horses ranging in age from under 2 to about 5 years old, and burros of all ages,” said Mindy Odom, a BLM wild horse and burro specialist. “The group of 80 horses will include some roans and buckskins. We also will offer 20 burros.”

Interested adopters can preview the animals when they arrive at the equestrian center at about 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, and all day Friday.

“The animals have been wormed, received vaccinations and boosters, and come with a complete set of health care records,” Odom said. “The animals were gathered last fall from herd areas along the California-Nevada border northeast of Susanville and in northwest Nevada. They are about average-sized for wild horses, and many can be expected to grow to 15 hands or larger.”

Adoption event gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday, and silent bidding runs from 9 to 10 a.m. Animals not selected during bidding will be offered for $125 each on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Silent bidding gives everyone a chance to adopt the animals of their choice,” Odom said.

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. BLM staff members will interview all prospective adopters to be sure they meet the BLM adoption regulations.

Newly adopted horses and burros must be kept in a corral with at least 400 square feet of space per animal (20 feet by 20 feet), surrounded by a fence built of pipe or boards. Six-foot fences are required for adult horses.

Horses under 18 months old can be kept in corrals with five-foot fences, and four-and-a-half-foot fences are allowed for burros. Adopters must provide a two-sided shelter, with a roof, to provide protection from extreme weather.

“Adopted animals should be kept in a corral until they can be approached, handled, haltered and led,” Odom explained. “Non-gentled animals should not be placed in large, open pastures.” BLM also advised adopters to initially consider keeping adopted animals in an area separate from other stock.

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. The BLM or a designated representative will check on the condition of the animal during the one-year adoption period.

In addition to the adoption, wild horse and burro enthusiasts can learn more about gentling and training animals during Wild Horse Workshop 2004, a week-long event being held at the equestrian center.

In the workshop, horse owners and adopters will get hands-on training experience by working with highly skilled trainers.

There is a fee for participation in the workshop that runs from Monday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 24. Members of the public can observe workshop proceedings free of charge.

For workshop information, contact Janet Tipton at (435) 843-7465, email FlyingTAcres@sisna.com, or visit www.wildhorseworkshop.org.

BLM adoption information is available on the internet at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov, or by calling toll-free, 866-4MUSTANGS.

Wild horses and burros are protected by a federal law, the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. The law recognizes the animals as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west,” and requires the BLM to manage the wild herds. The BLM periodically gathers horses and burros to control herd populations on ranges shared with wildlife and domestic livestock. Herd sizes are controlled to ensure there is sufficient feed and water for all range users.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130