For Immediate Release: September 12, 2007
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097

Good homes sought for Little Book Cliffs wild horses

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Following a wild horse gather on the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, about 50 of those horses will be available for adoption on Saturday, September 22, at the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds located at 25 and F½ Roads in Grand Junction.  No burros will be available for adoption as previously promoted.

Minimum adoption fee is $125 per animal, and bidding is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Horses may be viewed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday evening, September 21, at the same location.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old and provide adopted animals with a corral at least 400 sq. ft. (20 x 20) in size with 6 ft. high fences constructed of pole, pipe or plank, as well as a shelter for protection from severe weather.  Individuals interested in adopting a horse should contact the BLM to initiate the adoption procedure and ensure their holding facilities meet BLM requirements. 

The Friends of the Mustangs, who are BLM volunteers, are holding an exhibition at the Sheriff’s Posse Grounds during Friday night’s viewing.  Riders will demonstrate the potential of wild horses, as well as Parelli Natural Horsemanship Techniques. 

The public should note that gather activities in the coming days will impact access to the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range.  Access to all areas of the range will be temporarily closed from 12:01 a.m., Saturday, September 15 through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, September 20. 

The BLM manages the Little Book Cliffs herd to ensure a balance between horse numbers and rangeland health guided by the established Appropriate Management Level, or the number of horses that can thrive on the range while maintaining healthy forage.  Rangeland health is determined by vegetative monitoring studies, and the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range can sustain a healthy herd of up to 150 horses.  For further information about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, go to www.blm.gov and select “Wild Horses & Burros” under “Programs.” For local information, contact Jim Dollerschell, BLM rangeland management specialist, at (970) 244-3016.

-BLM-