News.bytes Extra, issue 257

Babies steal the spotlight at wild horse and mule adoption

The babies were stars of the show when the Bureau of Land Management's Litchfield Corrals held a special wild horse and mule adoption event Saturday, Nov. 18.

Some adopters traveled more than 100 miles for the chance to adopt a weanling mustang (between six months and a year old) or a yearling mule (about a year old). By day's end, 24 animals went to new homes. An additional four animals were adopted the previous day.

Below, the crowd pressed the fence at the adoption pens to get a close look at the animals.

The warm, early morning sunlight cast a soft, golden glow as the adoption event got underway, below.

Below, Some of the young horses were curious about all the visitors to the corrals, and surveyed the humans while munching a breakfast of alfalfa. Others were a little more shy and watched the crowd from the security of the herd.

At the close of silent bidding there was plenty of activity. Below, horse wrangler Doug Satica reviews a bid form with an adopter as others wait their turn.

In addition to offering weanlings and mules in the special event, the Litchfield facility is participating in a BLM-wide promotion in which mares, aged 4 and older, are available for adoption for a $25 fee during November. In December, the focus shifts to geldings, aged 4 and older, which will be available to the public for a $25 adoption fee.

Information on the special promotions is available online at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov, or by calling toll free, 866-4MUSTANGS.

BLM California News.bytes, issue 257