News Release

For Release:  March 25, 2009 
Contact:  Theresa Herrera, 505.231.2178 or Theresa_Herrera@blm.gov

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Wild Horse Adoption Heading to Albuquerque, NM, April 2-4!

Taos, N.M. – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a wild horse adoption in Albuquerque, NM, April 2-4, 2009.  The 3-day event at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse Arena will feature approximately70 spectacular animals.  The horses are adult and yearlings that once roamed free on public lands in the West.  The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range to ensure herd health and to maintain ecological balance.  Among the 70 horses, 3-halter trained mares are coming from a prison training facility in Colorado.  These are horses that are trained by inmates through a rehabilitation program.  The adoption program is essential for achieving these important management goals. 

Adoption Schedule – Preview of the horses is Thursday, April 2, from 4–6 p.m.  Gates reopen Friday, April 3, at 8 a.m., with adoptions starting at 10 a.m., and ending at 6 p.m.  Adoptions continue Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m.–noon.  Admission is free all weekend.

Adoption Qualifications –  Application approval is required and can be done on site.  To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18 with no record of animal abuse.  Adopters must have suitable facilities and can adopt no more than four animals.  All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.  Adopted animals must remain in the United States until ownership papers are issued (minimum one year).  BLM staff will be on hand to assist adopters through the short application process.

Adoption Fees – The minimum adoption fee for most animals is $125, as set by law.  An initial round of competitive bidding will take place Friday at 10 a.m. to determine adoption fees for any animals sought by more than one person.  Animals not selected through the bidding process Friday morning will be offered for adoption on a first-come-first-served basis for the flat fee of $125 for the rest of the weekend.  Those interested in taking part in the competitive bid adoption are encouraged to come Thursday afternoon or early Friday to identify their desired animals and to complete their adoption applications in time.

Wild horses – iconic symbols of America’s western heritage – are renowned for their strength, endurance, agility and intelligence, characteristics bred into them in the wild that make them ideal for work or recreation.  Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 235,000 of these “living legends” in approved homes across the country.

Directions: From I-25 in Albuquerque, take Exit 233 (Alameda Blvd.). Go west approx. 1 mile to 2nd St., then north (right) approx. 0.75 mile to arena on east side of road.

For more information, call toll-free 866-4-MUSTANGS or visit www.blm.gov/nm.

-BLM-