Descended from horses that escaped the Spanish explorers, Native Americans, miners, ranchers and even wayward cavalry mounts, wild mustangs are protected and managed by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U. S. Forest Service (USFS). Since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses Act of 1971 the BLM has placed over 207,000 wild horses in homes across the U.S. Adopting a mustang can be a challenging experience; but it is also very rewarding. Read on to learn more.
Instructions
1. Download an adoption application from the BLM's adoption website. Fill out the application and mail it to your local BLM office. You must be at least 18 years of age, have no prior convictions for inhumane treatment of animals or for violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses Act and demonstrate that you can humanely care and house a mustang.
2. Prepare your facility or barn to house a wild horse. To qualify to adopt a wild horse you must provide an enclosure at least 20 feet by 20 feet wide and six feet high to house your mustang until she is fence broken. The corral can be made from sturdy pipes, planks or poles. Spaces between rails should be no large than one foot wide. You also have to supply a shelter that will adequately protect your mustang from severe weather and inclement temperatures.
3. Wait for a representative from the BLM to contact you. They will review the adoption process with you and verify that your barn meets all the minimum requirements. Once you qualify for the program you can begin searching for a mustang to adopt.
4. Search for a mustang to adopt. Select an animal that fits your training goals, do not pick a mustang based on its color alone. There are several ways to adopt: you can select a mustang off the Internet from the BLM's online adoption program, attend a BLM's wild horse and burro sale or visit one of BLM's adoption sites. Call 1-866-4MUSTANGS toll free to find out about adoption dates and locations near your farm.
5. Arrive early at a sale or adoption day. You want to allow plenty of time to view a mustang prior to starting the adoption selection process.
6. Bring a check, credit card or cash with you to the sale to pay the adoption fee. The minimum fee is $125 for a single horse or $250 for a mare with an unweaned foal. Most adoptions fees are based on competitive bidding and they can go higher than $125, but the average remains in that range.
7. Provide a webbed double-stitched, nylon halter and a lead rope at least 12 feet long for your mustang. A BLM employee will put the halter on your new horse and load him into your trailer. Your trailer must also meet minimum requirements. It must have sturdy walls, a covered top and the interior must be free of sharp protrusions. Your trailer should also have floor mats, have no partitions, good ventilation and provide amble head room for your mustang.
8. Contact a trainer knowledgeable in handling and training mustangs if you are not experienced with them. The BLM has a large list of trainers that work specifically with wild horses available on their website. There are also many organizations, such as the LRTC Wild Horse Mentors, that specialize in providing new adopters with assistance and guidance.
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