News.bytes Extra - issue 157

47 find homes in wild horse and burro adoption event

The BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption program set up shop at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley the weekend of May 15, and 47 animals found home homes. Horse enthusiasts from throughout the region attended the event. They met and chatted with people who have adopted and trained horses and burros and watched horse trainer Phil West demonstrate gentling methods.

Photo below: Riona leads her adopted burro, Frosty, and baby sister, Natalie, at the Grass Valley adoption. Riona and Natalie's Mom, Edona, helps guide Frosty.

The adoption program moves next to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, where 60 horses and 20 burros will be looking for new homes.

The California BLM Adopter Assistance (CBAA) was out in full force at the Grass Valley Adoption. The group helps wild horse and burro adopters with gentling and training. Many members volunteer their time to help the BLM with promotional activites and other tasks associated with adopting animals.

Below: CBAA members are, front row, from left: Frosty the burro, Reonna Miller, kneeling: Ginny Freeman, Rhonda Groves. Middle row: Nataly Miller on Winchester the burro, Mike and Sue Witkowski, Dave Freeman, Sara Gore, Evelyn Gore, Tim Gore, Jeff Wyles, Diane Wyles, Judi Maxfield, Suzi Kicker, Blare the burro, Birdong Sundstrom, Ashley the burro, Herbie Kicker. Back Row mounted: Edona and Brian Miller. Not pictured are CBAA members Nancy and Saanen Kerson and Julie Hueftle.

Below: Dennis Knippel shares some French fries with Ashely the Burro during the Grass Valley adoption event. Dennis is the BLM California WHB compliance specialist. Ashley is owned by Dave and Ginny Freeman of Artois.

Horse trainer Phil West makes a point with his audience while a wild horse takes a break from training. West offered free horse gentling demonstrations during the Grass Valley adoption event.

George Berrier, president of the American Mustang and Burro Association, was at the Grass Valley adoption event with Dancer, a 14-year-old adopted mare from the Devil's Garden herd area in Northern California.

To News.bytes, issue 157