BLM Nevada and Northern Nevada Correctional Center Saddle and Halter-started, wild horse adoption a success
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CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Nevada Department of Corrections – Silver State Industries conducted a saddle and halter-trained wild horse adoption event on October 20 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) south of Carson City, Nevada. All 16 animals showcased at the event were subsequently adopted.
Sixteen wild horses from herd management areas located on BLM-administered public lands in California, Nevada and Wyoming were trained for approximately four months by inmate trainers in the NNCC program and offered for adoption during a competitive-bid adoption. The event drew adopters from all over the United States including as far as New Hampshire and the two top bidders residing from North Carolina.
Successful bidders paid a total of $33,250 for the animals. With all bids starting at $150, the event’s saddle-trained wild horse top bid of $4,700 went for “Big Blue”, a 3-year-old blue roan gelding gathered in October 2017 from the Salt Wells Herd Management Area in Wyoming. “Billy Goat” was the only halter-started wild horse offered at the event. He was born in the Indian Lakes facility located in Fallon, Nev. in 2017 and was adopted for $300.
The successful bidders officially adopted their new horses and burros. After properly caring for their horses or burro for one year, the adopters are eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government.
The BLM uses its adoption program as the primary tool to place these iconic animals into private care. The horses or burros available for adoption typically come from overpopulated herd management areas where vegetation and water often become scarce when more animals, including wildlife and livestock, use the area or in cases where the health and or safety of the animal or the public are in jeopardy.
Many people have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt a wild horse or burro. Additionally, it is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. The BLM has placed more than 235,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971. Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses.
The next saddle-trained wild horse adoption and competitive-bid auction at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center is scheduled for February 23, 2019.
For more information about these special adoption or sale events and how to adopt or purchase your own wild horse or burro visit BLM Nevada’s Wild Horse and Burro Program webpage at https://www.blm.gov/whb.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.