Wildlife News
Adopt Your Own All-American Wild Mustang to Commemorate This Independence Day
By
Jul 1, 2009, 10:53 PST

Celebrate this Independence Day with a piece of America’s history. For only 125 dollars you can adopt your own wild horse and save a living legend. Sixty wild horses are in need of good homes. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your red, white, and blue by adopting your own unique American mustang.

On July 10 - 11, 2009, yearlings, mares, and studs/geldings will all be available for adoption by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. The adoption will be held at Red Man Ranch and Arena.

These wonderful animals can be gentled and used for dressage, trail riding, and western events, as well as any activities where a domestic horse can be used. Wild mustangs are noted for their endurance and intelligence.

“By adopting a wild mustang you will not only be saving one animal, but herds of wild mustangs and burros on the western rangelands that are competing for food due to overpopulation,” said Juan Palma, BLM-Eastern States Director.

“As water and food sources decline on the western rangelands, these animals need your help. Adopt a wild mustang and provide a home for these amazing animals,” said Palma.

Here is your chance to bring home a piece of the Wild West.

Adoptions will be on a first come first served basis. A public preview of the animals will be from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday and adoption hours will be from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. An 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.

MORE

“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,” Palma 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).

For more information on the application process, call 1-866-4MUSTANGS or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov to download an application. Potential adopters are asked to call early to be pre-approved and avoid waiting in line. You can also visit www.es.blm.gov/whb/ or www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/adoption to get requirement information and instructions to become a qualified adopter.

Adoption Address:
Red Man Ranch and Arena, 359 Strawberry Road, New Freedom, Pennsylvania 17349

Background:
All animals available for adoption have been examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, de-wormed, and blood-tested. Since the Adopt-A-Wild Horse & Burro Program began in 1973, more than 220,000 animals have been adopted.

The BLM manages more land, 258 million surface acres, than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1.8 billion, also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the Nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources on the public lands.