Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Wild horses and burros more than 10 years old — as well as younger animals that have been offered for adoption at least three times — are eligible for sale.
Purchasing a wild horse or burro means that ownership of the animal passes immediately from the federal government to the buyer. Note: It has been and remains the policy of the BLM not to sell or send any wild horses or burros to slaughter. She has been training Mustangs since , when she adopted her first wild horse from the BLM. In the following years she has also rehomed Mustangs that were adopted or purchased by ill-prepared or inexperienced owners.
Elisa Wallace. Rodder-Sloan says that in her experience it generally takes about a year to bond with a Mustang and to begin training it to participate in one or more disciplines. Likewise, high-profile three-day event competitor Elisa Wallace credits a portion of her success to the wisdom of her trio of Mustangs. Wallace became involved with Mustang ownership when a friend persuaded her to participate in the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition.
In the succeeding years, Wallace also acquired Hwin, a gray Mustang mare, and Rune, a chestnut gelding. All three horses have proven themselves on the eventing circuit—particularly Rune, who Wallace says has gone head-to-head in competition with Warmbloods and won.
Requirements and Expectations Beyond the experience and training necessary for building a successful partnership with a Mustang are criteria potential owners must meet before aquiring one. Adoptions take place at specific BLM adoption events, at agency adoption facilities, as well as during Internet auctions. All adoptions require that prospective owners complete applications and undergo a BLM review. At the time of adoption, owners must agree to sign a Private Maintenance and Care Agreement stating that they will not sell the horse to slaughter, for bucking stock, or for processing into commercial products.
Adopted wild horses remain BLM property for one year, during which time the agency may inspect the premises on which the Mustang is being kept to ensure the owner is providing the animal with prescribed appropriate minimum care, such as providing feed grain and hay and free-choice access to water as necessary to maintain healthy weight and hydration. Adopters must also provide routine veterinary care, including vaccinations, as well as routine farrier care.
During that first year, owners are also prohibited from moving the animal out of the country. Mustang Purchase vs. The BLM website reports that another 46, horses reside in off-range corrals and pastures. Since , the BLM has sold more than 5, horses and burros. In the agency reports it adopted out 2, animals and sold Whether you adopt a Mustang or purchase one, you must be at least 18 years of age and free of any animal cruelty convictions or violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Generally, Mustangs offered for adoption have not had any training whatsoever. Mustangs with more training sell for higher prices through various programs and Mustang Makeover events.
Bureau of Land Management rules specifically describe what vehicles an individual can use to transport a Mustang to his new home and what kind of shelter he requires once there. These include:. Our trainer sources agree that under appropriate circumstances, most Mustangs easily overcome their reputation as hard to handle, unpredictable wild animals. But, says U. Wild Horse and Burro Association president Robin Rivello, like all horses, some Mustangs are not realistically cut out for domestic life.
She says skilled trainers, experienced owners, and reputable organizations can help promote responsible Mustang ownership. Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny. Favorite Share:. The bureau said it has placed more than 8, in adoptive homes since March , for a total of more than , over the life of the decades-old program. The land agency intends to improve screening of adoption applicants and inspect animals within six months of adoption, instead of the current 12 months, she said. The bureau also will post more warning notices at livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.
The government also prohibits someone from adopting more than four animals within a month period and bans transfer of ownership for at least 12 months after the adoption date, Culver said. They insist the mustangs should remain in the wild and that the adoption incentive money would be better spent on horse fertility controls, like darting mares with contraceptive drugs.
They have been pressing for an independent investigation of past abuses in the adoption program.
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