Bring home your own wild horse or burro
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – Wild mustangs and burros will be offered to qualified adopters at the George Ingalls Event Center, 3737 Crestview Dr. Norco, Calif. on Oct. 5, 6 and 7 through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program. There will be 20 horses and 10 burros available for adoption.
Potential adopters may view the animals on Friday, Oct. 5 with applications accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. BLM staff will approve adoption applications from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Adopters will receive a bidder number once their application is approved. A bidder number is required to participate in the competitive bid portion of the adoption. The adoption will be conducted by silent competitive bid Saturday morning only beginning at 9:00 a.m. which provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice.
The minimum competitive bid for gentled horses will start at $125.00 per animal. Animals not selected during the competitive bid will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.
To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. BLM staff members will interview all prospective adopters to be sure they meet the BLM adoption requirements. Newly adopted horses must be kept in corrals with at least 400 square feet of space per animal (20 feet by 20 feet), surrounded by a six-foot fence built of pipe or boards. Adopters can keep horses under 18 months old in corrals with five-foot fences. Adopters must provide a shelter to provide protection from extreme weather.
Title to adopted wild horses and burros remains with the Federal government for one year. After providing a year of good care, adopters can receive the title. Those who buy animals, receive title to their animals immediately. Buyers must sign an affidavit stating they have no intention of giving away or selling the animal for use in commercial products.
Wild horses and burros are protected by the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, a federal law. The law recognizes the animals as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west,” and requires the BLM and U.S. Forest Service to manage wild-herd populations.
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.