Bureau of Land Management in California

Wild Horse first for BLM California
August, 2003 - San Jose

The Old West came to the high-tech Silicon Valley over the weekend of Aug. 16-17. Laura Lynn with new horse, the first halter-trained yearling from the Litchfield CorralsWhen when it was over, 49 wild horses and burros had found new homes with adoptive families. At the adoption event - hosted by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program - San Jose area residents met other wild horse adopters and trainers, and got free horse training advice from horse adopter and trainer Phil West of Bishop.

And in a first for the California adoption program, yearling horses trained to halter by BLM wranglers from the Litchfield Corrals, went home with adopters.

Nine-year-old Laura Lynn was the first to take home one of these specially-trained horses. Her dad, Mark, completed the adoption process for her.

The Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program moves next to the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21. In that event, 80 wild horses, including halter trained yearlings, and 20 wild burros will be available for adoption. For more information, visit the Wild Horse and Burro Program website at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

BLM California has also scheduled a special "Back to School" wild horse and burro adoption. That event is Saturday, September 6 at theregional wild horse and burro corral facility, located 4 ½ miles east of Ridgecrest, Calif.

Click on thumbnail images below to see full-sized photos (from 49 to 73 kilobytes in size).
Girl with new horse
 Laura Lynn gets her first opportunity to meet her new wild horse, a year-old strawberry roan.
BLM wranglers help girl with halter for new horse

BLM Wrangler Thad Waltman (left) and Laura Lyn's dad, Mark , adjust the halter for Laura Lynn's new horse. BLM wranglers named the horse "Roanie," but Laura Lynn said she was thinking about other options.
Portrait of Dad, daughter and their new horse
 BLM Wrangler Thad Waltman, left, Laura Lynn and her dad Mark pose with "Roanie" - a halter trained, year-old strawberry roan. Waltman trained the horse, which was adopted by Laura Lynn's family.
Horse trainer astride horse
 Phil West, a horse trainer from Bishop, showed his wild horse, Abby, at the San Jose adoption. Phil, a Mono County sheriff's deputy, uses Abby, 12, in mounted patrol work. He said she calmly handles situations ranging from crowds to school visits.
Trainer works with a new horse
 Horse trainer Phil West works calmly toward the all-important "first touch," as he demonstrates gentle training methods during the San Jose adoption event.
Showing off her wiid horse
Sara Okumura of Morgan Hill showed her wild horse, Sunka, at the San Jose adoption. Sara and Sunka compete in horse show events ranging from Western Trail to Western equitation and showmanship at California State Horsemen's Association shows.
Another owner shows off wild horse
 Carrie Anderson and her mustang, Texanna, were a hit at the San Jose adoption event. Carrie and business partner Sondra Taylor use wild horses in Mustang M. A. G. I. C., a program that introduces at-risk teens to the world of horse training.
Another owner shows off wild horse
 At left are Sondra and her mustang, Doc.

News.bytes, issue 122 - Bureau of Land Management