BLM California and R3C Saddle-Trained Horse Adoption
Overview
Thank you for your interest in the upcoming R3C wild horse online adoption event! Please note this event is separate from the national Wild Horse and Burro Online Corral Adoption.
We are excited to offer these horses to you! We consider these horses green and started under saddle. They will need continued training and work once you take one home. They should have a solid foundation to begin training in your discipline of choice. The horses' measurements are approximate. We encourage you to stay in touch with us about their progress and to please share your photos, videos, or stories with us about your journey with your horse.
How to Bid on Horses
To bid on the horses, please fill out an application and email it to Amy Dumas [email protected]. Upon approval, we will email you a link to the event with more information about the process. Minimum bids for the horses are $300.
NOTE: In order to protect your privacy, please do not fill out the Social Security Number or Driver’s License numbers and email the documents. We will reach out via phone to get that information from you later.
A separate link will be provided for public viewing on the right side of this page under Quick Links.
These horses are started under saddle and require five-foot tall fencing. Be sure to read the full adoption requirements before filling out your application.
Learn more about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program.
About the Program
Since 2013, BLM California and Sacramento County Sheriff's Office have partnered to create successful adoptions of wild horses. The inmates at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (R3C) gentle and saddle-start the horses and then the BLM adopts out the trained horses to the public.
At R3C, one trainer gentles a horse until it is going under saddle. After the horse has had 15 to 20 rides, then all the other trainers start riding the horse to build riding skills. Once they can be easily caught, the horses get turned out in groups in the pasture. They are ridden five days per week for about an hour at a time. They are handled by multiple people daily. All these horses are trained to side pass, leg yield, and move their shoulders or hindquarters. The horses have been around cows, unless otherwise noted. All the horses have crossed a trail bridge and water and have been worked with upward and downward transitions. They all load in a stock trailer and have had their feet handled. The horses have been exposed to lots of activity in the area including gunfire, helicopters, airplanes, explosives, and bicycles. Remember, if you take one of these horses home, please keep them confined until they learn your routine and build trust with you.
The Horses
Until the descriptions and photos are posted, the R3C Mustangs facebook page has some videos posted. For questions please call Amy or Walt.