All 16 animals were adopted at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Nevada Department of Corrections – Silver State Industries saddle-trained wild horse adoption event this past weekend. The event was held on June 10 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC) south of Carson City, Nevada.

Wild horses offered for adoption by BLM

Fifteen former wild horses and one burro trained for approximately four months by inmate trainers in the Northern Nevada Correctional Center program were adopted during a competitive-bid adoption held by the BLM.
© 2017 by AWHPC

Fifteen former wild horses and one burro, from herd management areas located on BLM-administered public lands in Nevada, California and Oregon, were trained for approximately four months by inmate trainers in the NNCC program and offered during a competitive-bid adoption. Successful bidders paid a total of $17,180 for the animals.

All bids start at $150, and two horses “Casey” and “Bullseye” tied for this event’s top bid of $2,400 each, both are 7 year-old sorrel geldings gathered from the Augusta Mountains and Rocky Hills Herd Management Areas in Nevada.  “Esmeralda”, the cart-trained burro in this adoption event, sold for $750.

The successful bidders officially adopted their new horses and burro. After properly caring for their horses or burro for one year, the adopters are eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government.

The BLM uses its adoption program as the primary tool to place these iconic animals into private care. The horses or burros available for adoption typically come from overpopulated herd management areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals, including wildlife and livestock, use the area or due to emergencies whereas the health and or safety of the animal or the public are in jeopardy.

Many people have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt a wild horse or burro. Additionally, it is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. The BLM has placed more than 235,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971. Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses.

The next saddle-trained horse adoption and competitive-bid auction at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center is scheduled for October 14, 2017.

For more information about these special adoption events and how to adopt your own wild horse or burro visit BLM Nevada’s Wild Horse and Burro Program webpage at www.blm.gov/whb.