Is it
true the BLM sells wild horses and burros?
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What are wild
horses and burros?
- A wild horse or burro is an unbranded, unclaimed,
free-roaming horse or burro found on BLM or U.S. Forest Service administered land in the
western United States. Wild horses and burros are descendants of animals released by or
escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, soldiers, or Native Americans.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
Why
does the Federal Government offer wild horses and burros for adoption?
- The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest
Service are responsible for the management and protection of wild horses and burros on
public lands. Federal protection and a scarcity of natural predators results in thriving
herds that increase in population each year.
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What
kinds of wild horses and burros are available for adoption?
- Wild horses are of no particular breed, but some
exhibit characteristics associated with specific breeds. A typical wild horse stands about
14 to 15 hands (56-60") and weighs about 900 to 1,100 pounds. Horses are generally
solid in color and predominantly sorrels, bays, or browns, although all colors occur.
Horses offered for adoption range from several months to nine years of age. Most horse are
five years or younger. Burros average about 11 hands (44") and weigh about 500
pounds. They are usually gray in color, although brown and black animals may be available
on occasion. Jacks and jennies of all ages are made available for adoption.
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How
wild is a wild horse or burro?
- When a wild horse or burro is offered for adoption
it probably hasn't been more than 90 days since it was running in the wild. Therefore,
they are not accustomed to people. With kindness and patience, they can be gentled and
trained for many uses.
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How many wild horses and
burros are available for adoption?
- Between 6,000 and 8,000 horses and 500 to 1,000
burros are offered for adoption each year. The number of burros offered for adoption is
much lower because the population and habitat of the wild burro is smaller.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
does it cost to adopt a wild horse or burro?
- The adoption fee for each wild horse is $125 and
for each wild burro the fee is $75. The is no adoption fee for unweaned foals if they are
adopted with their mother. Adopters are responsible for all cost following the adoption
including recapture of escaped animals. Adoption fees are non-refundable.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
If I
adopt a wild horse or burro am I responsible for the gentling?
- Yes. The adopter is responsible for gentling the
wild horse or burro; although there are some exceptions. Canyon City, CO has a gentling
program with a prison in Colorado where inmates are allowed to gentle wild horses and
burros. Other states may offer gentling programs, but generally the adopter is
responsible.
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What
does it cost to care for a wild horse or burro?
- The annual cost of caring for a wild horse or
burro can range from $300 to $1,000 or more depending on local costs and conditions. The
adoption fee will be the smallest expense.
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Where
can I learn more about horses or burros?
- There is a wealth of reading and viewing material
on wild horses and burros. Libraries, book stores, video stores, tack stores, and feed
stores have books pamphlets, and videos for sale, rent or free for the asking. You
can also read more about this subject on the web at the BLM's official website for the
Adopt-A-Horse program: http://www.adoptahorse.blm.gov.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
Where
can I adopt a wild horse or burro?
- Adoptions take place at locations across the
United States. Some BLM locations, prison training program facilities, and BLM contract
facilities have horses available year round. Adoptions also occur at satellite
(temporary) adoption centers throughout the nation.
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Have
the animals received medical care?
- Every wild horse and burro offered for adoption is
examined by a veterinarian. Each animal receives all necessary medical treatment, is
tested for disease, immunized, and wormed. A record of the animal's medical history is
given to each adopter.
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How
many animals can I adopt?
- A qualified person can adopt up to four wild
horses or burros within a twelve month period. The BLM can approve the adoption of
more than four animals if the adopter can prove they have the facilities and the financial
ability to humanely care for all animals. However, an adopter may not receive title to
more than four animals within a twelve month period.
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How can
I qualify to adopt a wild horse or burro?
- You must be at least 18 years old, be a resident
of the United States, and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. You must
also have, or have arranged for, adequate facilities and the financial means to provide
for the number of animals adopted. An individual who has expressed an intent to
commercially exploit the wild nature of a wild horse or burro may not adopt a wild horse
or burro.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
How can
I adopt an animal?
- Complete an application and mail it to the BLM
office serving your area. If you wish to adopt at a different location, send your
application, and a note explaining why, to the office serving that location. You will be
contacted during the application review process. If your application is approved, you will
be notified of upcoming adoptions. At the adoption you may have the opportunity to adopt
at least one animal. If and when you adopt you will be required to sign a contract,
agreeing to provide humane care and treatment for each animal you adopt.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
Will
the animal belong to me or the Federal Government?
- A wild horse or burro belongs to the government
until the BLM issues a title to an adopter. When the adopter signs an adoption
contract he/she automatically applies for title to an animal. After one year, BLM will
send the adopter a Title Eligibility Letter. The adopter must obtain a statement from a
qualified person (such as a veterinarian, county extension agent, or humane society
representative verifying that the adopter has provided humane treatment. The adopter must
return the Title Eligibility Letter and the humane treatment statement to BLM. BLM
will then mail the title to the adopter. There are no additional fees involved in the
title process.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
facilities are required for a wild horse or burro?
- Newly adopted wild horses or burros must be kept
in an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet (20' by 20' or larger) per
animal. This amount of space allows an animal to exercise.
- Gentled animals must be exercised daily and should
have a box stall of at least 144 square feet (12' by 12' or larger) that is well
ventilated, drained, and frequently cleaned.
- Fences must be at least 41/2 feet high for burros
and 6 feet high for ungentled horses. Horses under 18 months of age may be kept in corrals
with fences 5 feet high. Fences should be of pole, pipe, or plank construction and must
not have dangerous protrusions. Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals.
- Adopted wild horses and burros must be provided
shelter where severe weather (heat, cold, rain, snow, or wind) occurs. Burros are much
more susceptible to cold than horses.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
restrictions are there on using my adopted animal?
- In general there are no Federal restrictions on
how you use your adopted wild horse or burro, other than a wild horse or burro cannot be
exploited for commercial purposes that take advantage of the wildness of the animal. After
leaving the range all wild animals are protected by state livestock and humane treatment
laws.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
should I bring to the adoption?
- Cash, money order or certified check is required
for payment of the adoption fees. Some adoption centers may accept VISA or Mastercard.
Please check with the office conducting the adoption. Checks should be payable to: USDI-BLM.
- A halter and lead rope for each animal. A double
stitched nylon webber halter is recommended. The lead rope should be about 8-20 feet long,
made of cotton or nylon, and of sufficient strength to hold a 1,000 pound animal. The
halter buckle should be of similar strength.
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What
kind of trailer is required to transport a wild horse or burro?
- Adopters must provide transportation for their
animal from the adoption site to the new home. Another person may transport the
animal, but all trailers must meet these standards:
- Covered top, sturdy walls/floors, and a smooth
interior, free from any sharp protrusions.
- Ample head room.
- Partitions or compartments to separate animals by
size and sex if necessary.
- Floor covered with non-skid material.
- Adequate ventilation.
- Stock trailers are preferred, but other trailers
that meet the standards may be used. Drop ramp and two horse trailers are strongly
discouraged; some adoption centers may refuse to load a horse into a trailer so equipped.
All trucks and trailers may be inspected by BLM before loading. If you have questions
about the suitability of a trailer call the BLM office before adoption day.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
should I feed my animal?
- Good quality grass hay is adequate for a wild
horse or burro. Horses and burros are very sensitive to abrupt changes in when and what
they're fed. Additional information about feeding your new friend will be available at the
adoption. Your veterinarian can also provide information on proper care and feeding.
[Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)] [Top]
What
are some tips I should know before the adoption?
- Allow plenty of time to view the animals before
the selection process begins. Most adoptions draw names to determine order of selection.
- Animals should not be transported longer than 24
hours without unloading for a food, water, and exercise break. Corrals used for rest
breaks must meet the requirements discussed above.
- If you journey crosses state lines, check with
each state for requirements of brand inspection, health certificate, clearance documents,
etc.
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