Head out to the wild horse and burro event in Hutchinson
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NORMAN, Okla.—The Bureau of Land Management, along with the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas, will hold a wild horse and burro adoption and open-house event at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, from June 1 – 2. Hundreds of untrained horses will be available for adoption, first-come-first-served, at the event. Offenders in a rehabilitation program will be giving wild horse training demonstrations throughout the event. The open-house event will take place from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on June 1, and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on June 2. The BLM will offer animals for the adoption fee of $125 (set by law). In addition to the open house, the facility is open by appointment, Monday through Friday.
The horses offered for adoption are adult and yearling horses and burros that once roamed free on public lands in the West. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range in order to maintain healthy herds, and to protect other rangeland resources. The adoption program is essential for achieving these important management goals. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 235,000 animals into private care.
BLM staff will approve qualifying applications on-site. To qualify to adopt, an applicant must be at least 18, with no record of animal abuse. Adopters must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with free access to food, water and shelter. A six-foot corral fence is required for adult horses; five feet for yearlings; and four-and-a-half feet for burros. All animals must be loaded in covered, stock trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.
The BLM pays a one-time $500 care-and-feeding allowance to adopters of untrained horses that are at least four years old. The BLM pays the allowance after one year, when adopters receive official ownership title for their horse(s). All standard adoption conditions and fees apply.
The training program not only adds value to the horses, it also helps offenders develop important life skills—such as discipline, respect, patience and hard work—that will aid in their eventual reintroduction into society. The program’s success is evident by the months-long waiting list to adopt a Hutchinson-trained mustang. Individuals can add their name to the waiting list during the open house.
To get to the Hutchinson Correctional Facility from Highway 61, go west 1.4 miles on G Street in Hutchinson, Kansas. For more information, call 866-468-7826. You can also call the Hutchinson Correctional Facility directly at 620-728-3296, or visit 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.