Where Can I Adopt A Wild Horse or Burro?
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The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer approximately 40 wild horses ranging from yearling to 5 years old to potential adopters on March 25-26, 2011, at the Vanderburgh County 4H Fairgrounds located at 201 East Boonville-New Harmony Road. You can adopt a Mustang, a wild spirit of the west, for a minimal fee and get a buddy horse for $25 in Evansville, Indiana."The BLM holds adoptions at different locations throughout the United States depending upon public interest, said BLM-Eastern States Acting State Director, Timothy Spisak. "Most BLM facilities and BLM contract facilities have animals available for adoption year round by appointment. Temporary adoption sites and dates are posted on the web site, go to Adoption Schedule or phone toll free 866 4MUSTANGS."The Saturday adoption will be on a first come first served basis. The animals can be previewed on Friday, March 25, from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adoption hours on Saturday, March 26, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. A minimal adoption fee of $125 for animals less than three years of age and $25 for animals three and older is required for adoption. In addition, you can take home a buddy animal for only $25 when you adopt any animal at the full fee of $125."While the adoption process is simple and straightforward, anyone considering adoption of a wild horse should remember that the animals are wild and require gentling and training," Spisak said. Prospective adopters must have sturdy corrals that are 20' x 20' (or larger), at least 6 feet high for an adult horse and at least 5 feet high for horses younger than 18 months, and have a shelter directly attached to the corral. Adopters must provide a stock-type, step up trailer (ramps and side-by-side two-horse type trailers are not allowed).Applications to adopt will be reviewed starting on Friday and may be submitted until Saturday. For more information, call 1-866-4MUSTANGS (1-866-468-7826) or visit the BLM web site at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.Directions for the Wild Horse Adoption: From I-64, take the Hwy 41 exit and go south on Hwy 41 to Boonville-New Harmony Rd. Turn west (right) on Boonville-New Harmony Rd to the Vanderburgh 4-H Fairgrounds. From I-164, exit at Boonville-New Harmony Rd and go west on Boonville-New Harmony Rd to the Vanderburgh 4-H Fairgrounds.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.