Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program

Wild Horse and Burros Sales Program Changes FAQs

Why is the BLM making changes to the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program? 

The Bureau of Land Management has updated its wild horse and burro sales policy to strengthen protections for animals placed into private ownership. While most purchasers provide safe, humane homes, even isolated cases of purchasers failing to comply with the BLM’s terms of sale can harm animals and undermine public trust. 

These updates reinforce the integrity of the Sales Program and ensure that responsible buyers continue to have access to animals while the agency takes stronger action against individuals who attempt to exploit the program. 

What is changing about sale fees? 

The BLM is standardizing the base fee for all sale-eligible animals to $125. 

• The BLM may still approve reduced fees for special marketing events or unique circumstances, with approval from BLM Headquarters. 

What is changing in the Bill of Sale? 

The Bill of Sale now includes strengthened language requiring purchasers to certify they will not knowingly, recklessly, or negligently sell or transfer a horse or burro purchased from the BLM to any individual or organization that intends to process the animal, or its remains, into commercial products, or to facilitate such processing. 

This clearer language enhances the ability of the BLM and law enforcement partners to pursue action against individuals who violate the terms of sale. 

Are the basic care and facility requirements changing? 

No. Existing policy still requires purchasers to verify they can provide: 

• Adequate feed and water 

• A safe and sturdy corral, barn, stall, or pasture 

• Access to veterinary care 

These requirements ensure animals are placed in environments that support their long-term wellbeing. 

Can the BLM limit how many animals a person may purchase? 

Yes. Field offices may limit the number of animals an individual can buy at a specific event. 

• This determination must be made before the event begins and must be applied equally to all participants. 

• Offices may also limit how many sold animals can be loaded onto a single trailer (e.g., “No more than four sold animals per trailer”). 

What new steps is the BLM taking to prevent sales to buyers who have violated the terms of sale in the past? 

The BLM has strengthened its internal processes to identify members who have violated the terms of sale and make them ineligible to purchase additional animals. These safeguards help ensure that animals are only placed with responsible buyers. 

The BLM may deem a purchaser ineligible if there is evidence that they knowingly, recklessly, or negligently sold an animal to: 

• A “kill pen” 
  A kill pen is a type of livestock holding facility where horses acquired by slaughter buyers are kept before being transported for export to slaughter plants outside the United States. Some entities operating in this space engage in practices that involve offering horses for sale at highly inflated prices, often creating a sense of urgency around the animal’s fate. These practices are widely viewed as exploitative and raise serious animal‑welfare and consumer‑protection concerns. 

• An entity that processes animals into commercial products 

• An intermediary supplying animals for such processing 

Does the BLM track horses or burros after they are sold? 

No. Under federal law (43 U.S.C. § 1333(e)(4)), once sold, an animal is no longer considered a “wild horse or burro” and, therefore, not within the BLM’s jurisdiction.  

However, it is important to distinguish between adoption and sale: 

• Adopted animals remain under BLM jurisdiction until title is issued (typically 12 months from adoption). BLM may conduct compliance checks during that period. 

• Sold animals are private property upon purchase, and the BLM does not track them after the sale is complete. If an animal is found in a kill pen or somehow otherwise demonstrated to have been sold to slaughter, BLM will assess whether the purchaser violated federal law and refer documentation to Law Enforcement when appropriate. 

How will BLM ensure ineligible buyers cannot purchase animals again? 

If the BLM determines that a purchaser violated a term of sale, BLM staff will identify the purchaser as “ineligible for sale” in internal systems. Once BLM’s new ManeFrame system is deployed, BLM staff will record sale eligibility status directly in that platform. 

• ManeFrame is BLM’s upcoming modernization of the Wild Horse and Burro Program’s data and case management systems, designed to streamline records, improve consistency and enhance internal oversight. 

BLM staff will check a potential purchaser’s eligibility in ManeFrame before approving new sales applications. In locations with limited internet connectivity, field staff may use printed lists of ineligible buyers to support screening during events. 

In the event the BLM denies a sales application, the BLM will notify the applicant and issue a decision in writing. 

How do these changes affect most buyers? 

Most purchasers abide by the terms of sale and provide excellent homes to purchased animals. These updates are designed to protect sale eligible animals from bad actors without creating unnecessary barriers for responsible, well-intentioned buyers. 

The result is a stronger, more trustworthy sales program that continues to help wild horses and burros find safe homes while supporting the long-term health of herds and public rangelands. 

Why didn’t the BLM have these safeguards in place earlier? 

The BLM has always required adopters and purchasers to certify humane care, complete facility applications, and agree not to transfer animals for commercial processing. These safeguards have been in place for decades and continue to guide every sale and adoption. 

However, as with any large program involving thousands of participants across the country, policy needs evolve over time. Even though violations represent an extremely small fraction of placements, they can undermine public trust and harm animals. The recent updates refine and strengthen existing protections based on lessons learned, improved information, and the need to close loopholes that a small number of bad actors have attempted to exploit. 

The updated sales policy reflects the BLM’s commitment to continuous improvement and to ensuring the strongest possible protections for our nation’s iconic wild horses and burros. 

What prompted the BLM to make these changes now? 

The BLM regularly reviews its wild horse and burro policies to ensure they reflect current realities and uphold program integrity. Recent isolated incidents of potential violations of the terms of sale have highlighted a need to strengthen the Bill of Sale and reinforce internal processes for identifying problematic buyers. These changes tighten legal language, improve screening tools, and enhance the agency’s ability to prevent repeat violations of the terms of sale. 

Why not restrict sales entirely and rely only on adoption? 

The Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act directs the BLM to make excess animals that meet certain criteria available for sale. The BLM accordingly relies on both adoption and sales authority to manage wild horse and burro populations humanely and responsibly. Some individuals or organizations prefer the permanence and flexibility that comes with a sale.  

What are the penalties for violating the terms of sale? 

Violating the terms of sale is a serious offense. Buyers certify under penalty of federal law that they will provide humane care and will not knowingly sell or transfer an animal for slaughter or processing. 

If a purchaser provides false information or knowingly violates these conditions: 

• They may be barred from buying additional animals. 

• Documentation may be referred to law enforcement officials. 

• Individuals may face investigation for potential violations of federal law, including 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (false statements to the government). 

Prosecution decisions are made by the appropriate law enforcement and U.S. Attorney’s Offices based on the available evidence. The BLM’s updated Bill of Sale and strengthened processes help provide clearer, more enforceable documentation to support these cases when warranted. 

What should someone do if they believe a wild horse or burro has been sold or transferred improperly? 

The BLM encourages anyone with credible information about a possible violation of the terms of adoption or sale to contact the BLM’s National Information Center at 866-4MUSTANG (866-468-7826) or [email protected]. All credible reports are reviewed, and information is referred to law enforcement officials when appropriate. 

Learn More

• View Frequently Asked Questions about adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro.
• Download the Wild Horse and Burro Care and Feed Guide
• Contact the BLM for more information about the Sales Program.