Wild Horse Adoption

The Bureau of Land Management’s top priority is to ensure the health of the public lands so that the species depending on them – including the nation's wild horses and burros – can thrive. To achieve that end, the BLM’s wild horse and burro program must be put on a sustainable course that benefits the animals, the land, and the American taxpayer."

-- BLM Director Bob Abbey

The Bureau of Land Management estimates that approximately 38,500 wild horses and burros (about 33,000 horses and 5,500 burros) are roaming on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states based on the latest data available, compiled as of February 28, 2011. Wild horses and burros have virtually no natural predators and their herd sizes can double about every four years. As a result, the agency must remove thousands of animals from the range each year to control herd sizes.

The estimated current free-roaming population exceeds by nearly 12,000 the number that the BLM has determined can exist in balance with other public rangeland resources and uses. The appropriate management level is approximately 26,600.

Off the range, there are more than 40,000 other wild horses and burros that are fed and cared for at short-term corrals and long-term pastures. (As of July 2011, there were approximately 10,100 in corrals and 30,200 in Midwestern pastures.) All wild horses and burros in holding, like those roaming the public rangelands, are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

The Bureau of Land Management brings horses and burros to the Blount County-Oneonta Agri-Business Center for a two-day adoption show each year. The animals that have not had any specific training are available for a $25 adoption fee. Those that have had some training can be obtained for a $125 fee. Although the prices are low, potential adopters must meet certain requirements before a horse is allowed to leave.

A "Trainer Incentive Program" or TIP trainer is certified through the Mustang Heritage Foundation to "gentle" and train the horses rounded up by the government. Based in Jackson, Mississippi, the Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps the government in its Adopt-A-Horse program.

The horses usually come from California, Wyoming, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, or Utah. They are removed from their herds because the herd population was too large for the land to support. Drought is also a big problem, and the horses have a problem getting water. Range technicians are modern-day cowboys monitor conditions and, if the herd grows large enough for lack of natural food or water to be a problem, the excess horses are gathered and given a thorough health inspection. They are then offered to the public. The horses are extremely hardy and grow a lot slower then domestic horses. As a result, they do not have some of the same joint issues as domestic horses. They are also used to eating less. The horses are capable of performing in a variety of capacities such as roping, trail riding, etc.

The burros have a particular skill...they are not fond of dogs. However, they are good to place with cattle because they ward off coyotes.

In addition to placing wild horses and burros into good homes through the adoption program, the BLM directly sells animals that are more than 10 years old and those younger that have been passed over for adoption at least three times. These animals are located in the BLM’s long-term pastures and short-term corrals.

Monitor the local newspaper and radio stations, along with this website, for announcement of Wild Horse & Burro Adoption Days at the Blount County-Oneonta Agri-Business Center.

For more information on this BLM program, click here.