Adopting a Wild Horse or Burro
Every year thousands of mustangs and burros are rounded up and adopted out to people all over the country.
Providing homes for these animals has been a challenge for the Bureau of Land Management for many years, but adopting one can be a rewarding experience.
The wild horse and burro is described by the BLM as being a "Living Legend" and they are truly a symbol of our country's heritage.
By law a wild-free roaming horse or burrow is an animal that is neither banded or claimed.
These equines are predominantly found on the Western public lands that are administered by the BLM and the US Forest Service.
These animals are believed to be descendants from the released or escaped animals that were once owned by Spanish Explorers, Ranchers, Miners, US Calvary and Native Americans.
Many individuals have adopted these animal and used them for various activities including dressage, jumping, pleasure riding, barrel racing and endurance riding.
Burros have excelled in dirving, riding, packing, and even as serving as guards.
Both equines are known for being sure-footed, intelligent and strong.
To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must be at least 18 years of age.
You must also demonstrate that you can provide the animal with adequate feed and roughage, water and facilities to live in.
You must have no prior convictions of inhumane treatment of animals and the area in which the animal will live must be humane as well.
You must also show that you can provide a home for the animal in the United States.
You must be able to provide a minimum of 400 square feet for each animal you adopt.
horses that are less than 18 months of age must be kept in pens or corrals that have fences of at least 5 feet in height.
Fences for ungentled horses must be 6 feet.
Burros require fencing of 4.
5 feet.
The animal is not to be released into a large open pasture as you may not be able to catch the animal for training or to provide the proper veterinary care.
Corrals must be constructed out of poles, pipes or planks with a 1.
5 minimum thickness.
Barbed wire, large-mesh woven, straight wire and electrical fencing is not acceptable by the BLM.
Shelter during inclement weather must also be available.
The structure must be two-sided with a roof, drainage, ventilation and easily accessible by the animals.
Tarps are not acceptable for use in shelters.
If you are interested in taking on the challenges of training a wild horse or burro and you meet the BLM's criteria, you can download their application from the website and mail it to your local BLM office.
You can also check the website for updates on adoptions and where they are being held.
You are allowed to adopt up to four wild horses or burros per year.
If you are interested in adopting more then you can see permission from the BLM.
The average fee for a wild horse or burro is $125.
Some events use competitive bidding and the average price may rise to $185 for horses, $135 for burros and $160 for mules.
If the animal becomes dies or must be put down due to a medical condition, the BLM will allow a replacement animal and you have 12 months to choose the animal.
If you select an animal that is more than the fee you paid then you must pay the difference.
The BLM will vaccinate, deworm and freezebrand the wild horse or burro prior to adoption.
They will also provide you with the animal's medical history and a negative Coggins Test.
The freezebrand is a unique brand that signifies the animals registering organization, year of birth and registration number.
Your animal will also come with a Certificate of Title.
After owning the animal one year you are able to receive the title and you must provide a statement from a veterinarian, county extension agent or humane official showing that you have properly cared for the animal you adopted.
When you arrive to pick up your adopted equine you will need to bring a form of payment to pay your fee, and most major credit cards are accepted including cash and checks.
You must also have a double-stitched nylon halter and a 12-20 foot lead rope for each animal you adopt.
You must also provide your own transportation.
Trailers must have a covered top, sturdy floors and walls, ample head room, removal compartments to separate animals of different sex, non-skid floor and adequate ventilation.
The BLM requires stock-type trailers and will refuse to load horses or burros in trailers that do not comply.
The BLM will catch and load the animal for you, but you are responsible for them afterwards and getting them into their new home.
Providing homes for these animals has been a challenge for the Bureau of Land Management for many years, but adopting one can be a rewarding experience.
The wild horse and burro is described by the BLM as being a "Living Legend" and they are truly a symbol of our country's heritage.
By law a wild-free roaming horse or burrow is an animal that is neither banded or claimed.
These equines are predominantly found on the Western public lands that are administered by the BLM and the US Forest Service.
These animals are believed to be descendants from the released or escaped animals that were once owned by Spanish Explorers, Ranchers, Miners, US Calvary and Native Americans.
Many individuals have adopted these animal and used them for various activities including dressage, jumping, pleasure riding, barrel racing and endurance riding.
Burros have excelled in dirving, riding, packing, and even as serving as guards.
Both equines are known for being sure-footed, intelligent and strong.
To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must be at least 18 years of age.
You must also demonstrate that you can provide the animal with adequate feed and roughage, water and facilities to live in.
You must have no prior convictions of inhumane treatment of animals and the area in which the animal will live must be humane as well.
You must also show that you can provide a home for the animal in the United States.
You must be able to provide a minimum of 400 square feet for each animal you adopt.
horses that are less than 18 months of age must be kept in pens or corrals that have fences of at least 5 feet in height.
Fences for ungentled horses must be 6 feet.
Burros require fencing of 4.
5 feet.
The animal is not to be released into a large open pasture as you may not be able to catch the animal for training or to provide the proper veterinary care.
Corrals must be constructed out of poles, pipes or planks with a 1.
5 minimum thickness.
Barbed wire, large-mesh woven, straight wire and electrical fencing is not acceptable by the BLM.
Shelter during inclement weather must also be available.
The structure must be two-sided with a roof, drainage, ventilation and easily accessible by the animals.
Tarps are not acceptable for use in shelters.
If you are interested in taking on the challenges of training a wild horse or burro and you meet the BLM's criteria, you can download their application from the website and mail it to your local BLM office.
You can also check the website for updates on adoptions and where they are being held.
You are allowed to adopt up to four wild horses or burros per year.
If you are interested in adopting more then you can see permission from the BLM.
The average fee for a wild horse or burro is $125.
Some events use competitive bidding and the average price may rise to $185 for horses, $135 for burros and $160 for mules.
If the animal becomes dies or must be put down due to a medical condition, the BLM will allow a replacement animal and you have 12 months to choose the animal.
If you select an animal that is more than the fee you paid then you must pay the difference.
The BLM will vaccinate, deworm and freezebrand the wild horse or burro prior to adoption.
They will also provide you with the animal's medical history and a negative Coggins Test.
The freezebrand is a unique brand that signifies the animals registering organization, year of birth and registration number.
Your animal will also come with a Certificate of Title.
After owning the animal one year you are able to receive the title and you must provide a statement from a veterinarian, county extension agent or humane official showing that you have properly cared for the animal you adopted.
When you arrive to pick up your adopted equine you will need to bring a form of payment to pay your fee, and most major credit cards are accepted including cash and checks.
You must also have a double-stitched nylon halter and a 12-20 foot lead rope for each animal you adopt.
You must also provide your own transportation.
Trailers must have a covered top, sturdy floors and walls, ample head room, removal compartments to separate animals of different sex, non-skid floor and adequate ventilation.
The BLM requires stock-type trailers and will refuse to load horses or burros in trailers that do not comply.
The BLM will catch and load the animal for you, but you are responsible for them afterwards and getting them into their new home.
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