Wyoming's First Wild Horse and Burro Adoption of 2017
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The Bureau of Land Management and the Wyoming Honor Farm will host a wild horse and burro adoption, Wyoming’s first of the year, on May 20 in Riverton.
“May is a great time to adopt a gentled wild horse, with the whole summer still ahead for continued training,” said Scott Fluer, BLM program specialist for the Wyoming Honor Farm.
On Saturday, May 20, the gates will open at 7:30 a.m., with competitive bidding beginning at 10:30 a.m. Honor Farm Wild Horse Supervisor Curt Simmons and the trainers have a nice lineup of approximately 30 halter and saddle-started horses and burros available for adoption. All horses have been haltered, led, trailered, had their feet handled and are in various stages of the gentling program.
Preview the horses in advance from 1-3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19. Both events are free and open to anyone interested in wild horses, the Honor Farm gentling process and the BLM wild horse and burro adoption program.
Horses gentled by Honor Farm trainers are used in a variety of ways by their adopters, including for hunting, trail riding and ranch work. Ted and Maureen Shuler of Powell adopted Waddy, Smokey and Sasha—all from the Salt Wells Herd Management Area southeast of Rock Springs—at the spring 2016 adoption. Since then, the family has ridden them on several pack trips in the mountains, including some overnight trips.
“We thought the mustangs would be nervous and somewhat uneasy,” said Maureen Shuler. “We were pleasantly surprised that they acted like they had been doing this for years. They load into the horse trailer smoothly. They like to be petted and they follow Ted around like he is leading them on a rope. We are so happy with our three new mustangs.”
Applications for adoption will be accepted on both Friday and Saturday. Only covered stock or slant load style trailers are authorized for loading. Two horse trailers are not allowed unless they are a stock or slant type, with no internal dividers.
Lunch concessions will be available at the adoption. The Wyoming Honor Farm is located one mile north of Riverton. Take US-26 to Honor Farm Road.
Please remember that firearms, alcohol, drugs and dogs are not allowed onsite at any time. Cell phones, cameras, video equipment and tobacco products must be kept locked in one's vehicle while onsite. In order to maintain a positive environment for visitors, a reasonable clothing standard must be adhered to. Shorts and form-fitting clothing are prohibited.
For more information about the BLM’s wild horse and burro program, visit www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro or call 866-4MUSTANGS (866-468-7826).
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.