For Immediate Release: Aug. 24, 2005 CA-N-05-86
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332

FREE HORSE GENTLING/TRAINING SESSIONS COMING TO STOCKTON
80 Mustangs, 20 Burros Available for Public Adoption

San Joaquin Valley horse enthusiasts have the opportunity to get free tips and advice about horse gentling and training, during the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse and burro adoption event Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11, at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton.

Phil West, a trainer from the Bishop, Calif. area, will share his techniques for training horses without inflicting pain or fear. He will work with wild horses directly from the BLM adoption pens during several sessions throughout Saturday and Sunday. West, a deputy sheriff, uses a trained wild horse in police work.

"The BLM endorses gentling techniques, not horse 'breaking,' for those who adopt wild horses," said KC Pasero, manager of the BLM's wild horse and burro program in northern California. "Phil will demonstrate techniques that can be used on horses adopted during our event, or on horses already in the corrals at home. These training methods build bonds of trust between the horse and rider."

During the adoption event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the BLM will offer for adoption 80 wild horses from public land herds in Northeast California and Northwest Nevada. These herd areas are known for producing good-sized wild horses. Additionally, the BLM expects to have 20 burros available for adoption.

Pasero said wild horses are known for their strength, endurance and intelligence.

"Horses from the Northern California Twin Peaks Herd Management Area recently won top national honors in endurance competition sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference," she said.

Animals will arrive at the fairgrounds at about 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, for adopter previews.

Adoptions get underway with an hour of silent bidding from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday. After bidding, all horses and burros remaining will be available for a $125 adoption fee.

More information is available by calling toll free, 866-4MUSTANGS, or by calling the BLM wild horse and burro corrals at (530) 254-6575.

The wild horses and burros coming to Stockton were gathered from public land herds as part of the BLM's work to maintain wild populations in balance with other range users, including wildlife and domestic livestock, and at levels that can be supported by rangeland food and water sources.

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Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130