May 11-12: Wild horses, burros up for adoption in Grass Valley

SUSANVILLE, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will offer up to 20 wild horses and 10 wild burros for adoption Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. The animals are from ranges in northeast California and northwest Nevada.

Anyone interested can preview the horses when they arrive at the fairgrounds at about 2 p.m., Friday, May 10.  The adoption event gets underway at 9 a.m., Saturday, with an hour of silent bidding. Animals not taken during bidding will be available for an adoption fee of $125 on a first come, first served basis. Untrained animals offered at this event are eligible for the Adoption Incentive Program, which offers $1,000 to adopters after they have provided good care to their animal for a minimum of one year.

“These animals are healthy and ready to train for pleasure riding, competition, ranch work or other disciplines,”
 said Doug Satica, manager of the BLM’s Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corral near Susanville. “They have received vaccinations for all common equine diseases, including West Nile virus. Adopters will receive health care records, so they can establish health care programs with their veterinarians.”

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have facilities that meet the BLM’s requirements. Title to the animals remains with the federal government for a year, after which adopters can apply for title. Detailed information about adopter qualifications and facility requirements can be found online.

The BLM is responsible under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act for protecting and managing wild horses and burros on public lands. The agency periodically removes animals from the range when populations exceed levels established to allow wild horse and burro herds to thrive in balance with other range users, including wildlife and permitted livestock. These animals are then available for adoption at events throughout the country.  More information about the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program is available online.