A row of hoses running.

BLM California and R3C Saddle-Trained Horse Adoption - March 7

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the upcoming R3C wild horse Zoom adoption! 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 adumas@blm.gov. Upon approval, we will email you a link to the Zoom 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 places the trained horses up for adoption to 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

Coming soon!

Quick Links

QUICK FACTS

Next Zoom Adoption

Date: March 7, 2024 at 7 pm Pacific
When:  7:00 – 8:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (we may be finished earlier but wanted to ensure we provided enough time)
Where: Zoom. To bid on the horses, please fill out an application and email it to Amy Dumas adumas@blm.gov. Upon approval, we will email you a link to the Zoom event with more information about the process. Minimum bids for the horses are $300.
What: Up to 5 saddle started horses
Preview:  March 3 from 12 – 2 pm at R3C, for approved bidders only.
Pick up:  March 9 at R3C 12500 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove, CA
Applications: To bid on the horses, please fill out an application and email it to Amy Dumas adumas@blm.gov


APPLICATION DEADLINE: We are accepting applications until March 1 at 12 pm PST for preview and by March 6 at 4 pm PST for the adoption.

For your safety, please do not include your Social Security number or Driver License number on the application. We will call you to get sensitive information that should not be sent via email.  If you have any questions about the application, need more information about the adoption, or if you have an approved adoption application on file, please call Amy Dumas at 916-978-4678 or email adumas@blm.gov

For specific questions about any of the horses, please contact Walt at 916-707-2036.