As mandated by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, as amended, the BLM protects, manages, and controls wild horses and burros to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands.

 

When an overpopulation of wild horses and burros exists on public lands, the BLM gathers excess animals and offers them to the general public for adoption (or sale). The BLM presents these animals at adoption events and at BLM facilities throughout the United States. For a current listing of the BLM’s adoption events, please visit our adoption schedule. 

In addition to placing wild horses and burros into good homes through the adoption program, the BLM directly sells animals that are more than 10 years old and those younger that have been passed over for adoption at least three times. These animals are located in the BLM’s long-term pastures and short-term corrals. If you are interested in buying older wild horses or burros and need more information, please visit our wild horse sales program.