For Release: October 13, 2005
Contact: Doran Sanchez, (951) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-06-03

BLM Brings Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program to Indio

Timid, shy, and of course, a tad nervous . . . all the qualities you would expect in potential adoptees . . . they're wild horses and burros looking for a good home!

On October 15-16, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer 80 mustangs and 14 burros to qualified adopters at the CB Vaqueros Arena in Indio through its Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program.

The animals will arrive at the arena around noon on Friday, Oct. 14. Potential adopters are welcome to visit the site, view the animals and fill out their applications. To reach the CB Vaqueros Arena, take the Dillion Road exit off Interstate 10 and go east to the T intersection. The adoption site will be on the right.

The mustangs (yearlings, geldings and mares up to five years old) and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada. The animals have been wormed and vaccinated and are in excellent health, and just waiting for qualified adopters, such as yourself, to give them a good home.

On Saturday morning only, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the adoption will be conducted by silent competitive bid. 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, all remaining animals will be available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis for $125 the remainder of Saturday to 5 p.m. 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.

Free horse gentling demonstrations will be presented 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. "Mustangs are very intelligent and renowned for their strength, speed, and endurance," said BLM wrangler Dan Anderson. "The horses make excellent riding stock, 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 205,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

There are about 32,000 wild horses and burros roaming on public rangelands in the western states. BLM monitors the herds and removes animals when they begin to over populate their herd area. The removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.

For more information about the Indio adoption or the bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program contact BLM at (800) 951-8720.

-BLM-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the adoption anytime. We will deliver the animals about noon on Friday, 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 (951) 697-5220.

California Desert District Office - 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California - (909) 697-5220