Wild Horse and Burro Program

The public lands of the Western United States are diverse, ruggedly beautiful and majestic - as are the horses and burros that live there. These animals are born with the colors of the land upon them. The browns, blacks, reds, blues, dapple grays, and snowy whites all reflect nature's paint-brush.

As early as the 1600's, horses and burros were released by or escaped from Spanish explorers. As America's west was settled, additional horses and burros from American Indians, settlers, miners, ranchers and soldiers established the foundations of today's wild horse and burro herds. Wild herds like these symbolize our western heritage and pioneer spirit.

Today, America's wild horses and burros are found in 10 western states. It is the BLM's responsibility to preserve and protect healthy herds of wild, free-roaming horses and burros as components of the public lands. The Wild Horse Annie Act of 1959 and the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 gave wild horses and burros a legal right to live on public lands without harassment. The Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program was initiated in 1973 to meet the challenges of balancing the health of public lands with the health of the wild horses and burros.

BLM invites you to adopt a living legend!

The BLM New Mexico's wild horse and burro adoption team based in Moore, Oklahoma, conducts 12-15 adoptions per year throughout its four-state region: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas (Schedule). Adoptions are also held monthly at the BLM's regional holding facility in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Visitors to one of these adoption events can expect to find a wide selection of animals available. There are usually about 80 head (+/-) roughly split between male/female and adult/yearling. Adult horses typically range in age from 2-5 years. Burros may be slightly older in some cases. American mustangs come in a full array of colors and markings. Though most tend to be solid (bay, black, brown, sorrel), it is not uncommon to find other varied colors such as paints, roans, palominos, buckskins, grays, and albinos.

Adoption Schedule Adopting a Horse or Burro: Requirements, Regulations, Forms, Instructions BLM National WH&B Web Site BLM Internet Adoption Web Site $500 Wild Horse Adoption Incentive FAQs