Freedom and Liberty
This year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and is a time to reflect on the ideals that shaped our nation and the landscapes that sustain them. The Bureau of Land Management is proud to join this celebration by highlighting two living symbols of the American Spirit: Freedom, a wild horse and Liberty, a wild burro.
Schedule of Appearances
With their handler, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist June, Freedom and Liberty are traveling across America to connect communities with the landscapes, history, and ideals that shaped our country and continue to define our public lands. Find a tentative schedule of events and appearances below and make plans to "say hay!" Check back often as more details are confirmed and added to the schedule.
- Tentative Schedule of Appearances
February 27-March 1 | Murfreesboro, TN
Southern Equine ExpoMarch 5-8 | Harrisburg, PA
Horse World ExpoMarch 27-28 | Grand Junction, CO
BLM wild horse and burro adoption and sale eventApril 9-12 | Columbus, OH
Equine AffairApril 18 | Herndon, VA
FPFP Horse ExpoMay 2 | Herndon, VA
Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan FarmMay 3 | Lorton, VA
Mustang RunMay 23-25 | Fort Ord, CA
Trail Ride at Fort OrdJune 5-7 | Rancho Murieta, CA
Forever Branded Branded Bonanza at Western States Horse ExpoJuly 10-11 | Dickenson, ND
Wild horse and burro adoption and sale eventJuly 18, 21, 23 & 25 | Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne Frontier Days and Day of the American WestAugust 6-10 | Nampa, ID
Forever Branded Branded BonanzaAugust 28-September 7 | Pueblo, CO
Colorado State FairSeptember 18-19 | Meeker, CO
Meeker Mustang MakeoverOctober 15-19 | St. Louis, MO
Forever Branded Branded Bonanza
Meet Freedom
Freedom is an 8-year-old sorrel gelding from the Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area near Rock Springs, WY. When he was younger, Freedom and his wingman were trying to spark romance with some mares on a local ranch outside of the herd management area boundary, so the BLM was contacted to pick them up.
BLM handler June adopted Freedom in 2020, on her birthday, from the Rock Springs Wild Horse and Burro Corrals. He was initially intended to be her husband’s horse, but she and Freedom had an instant connection, and we all know how that plan went! A stout gelding at over 15 hands (5 feet tall from ground to withers) and 1100lbs, June describes Freedom as both bold and silly. He loves to sort cattle, take trail ride adventures, boss Liberty around, and even does a few tricks for treats!
Fun fact: Freedom likes to fake a trip so he can sneak a snack on the trail! Because of this, his nickname is, “Snacks.”
Wild horses can be found roaming public lands in 10 Western states, from Colorado to California. Most wild horses grow to stand 13 to 15 hands high (52-60 inches) and weigh 700 to 1,000 pounds.
Learn how you can give a good home to a wild horse like Freedom
Meet Liberty
Liberty is a 17-year-old gray gelding from Cibola-Trigo Herd Management Area near Yuma, AZ. Like Freedom, Liberty was also gathered outside of the herd management area boundary when his jenny found a local lettuce field to snack in. Liberty was gathered with a baited trap several weeks later.
Once in BLM care, it was quickly realized that Liberty was too young to be on his own and, after a visit to the vet for a check-up, he was brought to BLM handler June for fostering just before Thanksgiving in 2008. He quickly attached himself to June and her then 3-year-old daughter, Josie, so he became a permanent member of the family. Liberty was Josie’s first mount, has been used extensively for packing, and has taken part in many school activities over the years.
Fun Fact: Liberty lives life on his own terms and June is quick to share that he’s very smart – which can sometimes come across as stubborn. If it doesn’t make sense to him, he’s not going to do it. Why walk over a pole on the ground when you can go around it, right?!
Wild burros primarily roam the deserts of the American Southwest in Arizona, California and Nevada. Burros can also be found on public lands in Northern Nevada, Utah, and Oregon. Wild burros average 11 hands high (44 inches) and weigh about 500 pounds.
Learn how you can give a good home to a wild burro like Liberty
Learn about wild horses and burros!
- Watch "The Story of America's Wild Horses and Burros"
The descendants of the horses and burros that helped build the modern American West still roam wild on our public lands today, and it’s the responsibility of the BLM to manage and protect them for future generations. Good rangeland management helps protect vital resources important to the health and vitality of wild horses and burros, wildlife, local economies and more!
Protecting the next 250 years
Your engagement makes science-based management and protection of wild horses and burros possible on public lands. Learn how you can get involved.
Interested in adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro? Discovery how you can give Living Legend a good home. Find an adoption or purchase opportunity near you.
Stories
Read exciting and informative stories from adopters, trainers and BLM specialists about wild horses and burros.
