Reno Rodeo Extreme Mustang Makeover Adoption Event a Success

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The Bureau of Land Management hosted a successful adoption of wild horses at the Reno Rodeo this weekend, adopting all 25 horses that were offered as part of the Extreme Mustang Makeover.The auction was held Saturday, June 19, following the Reno Rodeo Extreme Mustang Makeover event, which took place June 18th and June 19th. The horses were adopted after starting bids of $150. The auction's top bid of $6,500 went for a six-year-old Bay gelding named Doc Holliday, trained by Daniel Yriarte of Sparks, Nevada. Successful bidders paid a total of $42,850 for the animals. The average bidding price for each horse was $1,714.Last year, 15 offered horses were adopted at the Reno Rodeo Extreme Mustang Makeover event, with a top bid of $2,700. The average bidding price for each horse was $867 last year, for a total of $13,000."I am extremely pleased by the success of the competition and the auction," said Nevada BLM State Director John Ruhs. "I want to extend my gratitude and congratulations to all of the trainers in this year's event. Their skill and dedication was certainly evident, not only by the results that were on display during the competition, but also by the results of the adoption."The horses, which came from BLM-administered public lands in California, Nevada, and Oregon, were offered for adoption during a spirited, competitive-bid adoption at the conclusion of the Extreme Mustang Makeover free-style finals competition. Trainers from Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon spent approximately 100 days building trust, gentling, halter breaking, and saddle training these wild horses for one of the most talked-about equine competitions in America.The successful bidders officially adopted their new horses and have taken them to their new home. After properly caring for their horses for one year, the adopters are eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government.A partnership between the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program and the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the Extreme Mustang Makeover event was established in order to recognize and highlight the value and versatility of wild horses through a national training competition. This year, the Foundation is celebrating the 10th year of the Extreme Mustang Makeover with 10 national event stops - this is the second consecutive year the Extreme Mustang Makeover was part of the Reno Rodeo.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 come from overpopulated herd management areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals, including wildlife and livestock, use the area.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 230,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971. Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses.


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.