For Release: Oct. 5, 2005
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-06-3

WILD HORSES AND BURROS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IN YUBA CITY

Direct from California's public rangelands, wild horses and burros are headed for the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City, where the U. S. Bureau of Land Management will offer them for public adoption Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 30.

The BLM will offer 80 mustangs and about 10 burros.

Event gates open at 7 a.m. both days. On Saturday, adoptions get underway with an hour of silent bidding beginning at 9 a.m. After bidding, remaining animals are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee of $125.

"These animals are healthy and ready to train," said BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Mindy Odom. "They have been vaccinated against common equine diseases, rabies and West Nile virus, and have complete sets of health care records."

Adopters can choose from mares, geldings and yearlings. Horses range in age from under 2 to about 5. There is a wider age range for burros.

Animals will arrive at the fairgrounds for previewing at about 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

All horse enthusiasts are welcome to attend free horse gentling and training demonstrations by Phil West, an Inyo County sheriff's deputy who rides a trained wild horse in mounted patrol work. West, who has extensive experience training wild horses, will work with horses directly from the adoption pens to demonstrate methods of training that build trust between horses and humans.

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 requirements.

Newly adopted horses and burros must be kept in corrals 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, roofed shelter to provide protection from extreme weather.

"Adopted animals should be kept in this corral until they can be approached, handled, haltered and led," Odom explained. "Non-gentled animals should not be placed in large, open pastures."

Adopted animals must be taken from the fairgrounds by Sunday, Oct. 30. Adopters must provide a halter and lead rope. BLM wranglers will halter and load adopted animals. Adult horses must be transported in stock trailers with side-swinging gates.

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 representative, will check on the condition of the animal during the one-year adoption period.

"Wild horses are strong, loyal, intelligent and highly trainable," Odom said. "Adopters enjoy them for pleasure riding and trail riding, back country packing, ranch work and competition, such as endurance riding. People train burros for back country packing, pulling carts, and riding."

Wild horses and burros are protected by a federal law, the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros 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.

There are about 32,000 wild horses and burros roaming on public rangelands in the western states. More than 205,000 animals have been placed in private care since the BLM's Adopt a Horse or Burro Program began in the early 1970s.

For additional information on the adoption event or wild horse management, contact the BLM toll free at 1-866-4MUSTANGS, or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

-BLM-

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Northern California Support Team 1695 Heindon Rd. Arcata, CA 95521