News.bytes Extra, issue 431

Grass Valley event finds homes for horses and burros

Ten horses and four burros found new home in the pines of the Sierra foothills at the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption May 8 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.  The BLM will be back at the fairgrounds August 11-15 during the Nevada County Fair. BLM staff and volunteers will give demonstrations with mustangs and provide information on the wild horse and burro program. An adoption with halter-gentled mustangs will be held following the fair.

Adoption attendees check out BLM Volunteer Michelle deCamp's mustang, Modoc.

The next adoption will be at the Oakdale Saddle Club, 1624 F St., Oakdale, on Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23.

The BLM will offer 40 horses, mostly yearlings, and 10 burros for public adoption.   Anyone interested can preview the animals when they arrive at about 3 p.m. on Friday, May 21.  The event will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.  Adoptions begin with silent bidding from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. Animals not taken during bidding will be available for a $125 adoption fee.

Pat Cannon, supervisory range technician, gives a gentling demonstration at the adoption.

For additional information on the adoption event or wild horse management, contact the BLM toll free at 1-866-4MUSTANGS or the Litchfield Corrals at (530) 254-6575.   Information is also available online at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

Grant Lockie, wild horse wrangler, sorts out a mustang in the pen for an adopter. 

- David Christy, BLM Central California District, 5/10/10

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 431