BLM to host public tour of the Axtell off-range wild horse, burro facilities

SALT LAKE CITY— The BLM will host a public tour of the Axtell off-range wild horse corrals and off-range wild burro pastures July 7, 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the facility, observe wild horses and burros, and discuss the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program.

“The BLM is committed to protecting animal welfare and providing humane care and treatment to all wild horses and burros within our off-range holding facilities,” said BLM Utah State Office Wild Horse and Burro Branch Chief Gus Warr. “Animals in BLM’s charge continue to be cared for and protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, even after they are removed from the range.”

The Axtell facilities are privately owned and represent two of the five different locations in Utah that provide care to wild horses and burros removed from the range.

The Axtell horse facility encompasses 32 acres containing more than 40 holding pens in various sizes and can provide care for up to 2,250 wild horses. The horses receive abundant feed tailored to their needs each day, along with a constant supply of fresh water through automatic watering troughs. The burro facility encompasses more than 800 acres of free ranging pasture grass with more than 16 holding pens in various sizes and can care for up to 2,000 wild burros. The facilities have an on-call veterinarian who routinely inspects all the horses and burros providing medical care as needed.

The BLM strives to place wild horses and burros removed from public lands into good, private homes. Animals at the Axtell facilities are made available to the public for adoption or purchase throughout the year at off-site adoption and sale event locations across the country.

The Axtell off-range facilities, 13500 South 10490 West (mile marker 235.2 on Highway 89), Axtell, Utah

For more information on the upcoming tour at Axtell, please contact the Axtell Facility Manager, Heath Weber, at 435-201-3834.