Community Corner

Low Turnout at Wild Horse and Burro Adoption

The next adoption event will be next year

Three wild horses and one burro were adopted today at the Bureau of Land Management's . The remaining 25 horses and eight burros are headed to a holding facility in Elm Creek, Neb., where they will wait until another adoption event around the country. 

"It's a good price, but the horse is definitely a lot of work," said Donna Kelsch, of Rising Sun, MD, who was preapproved and picked up a horse on Saturday morning. "I've adopted all my dogs from the SPCA. For me, it's important to give an animal a good home if you can."

Why so few adoptions? The economy is tough, said  Karen Malloy, a BLM wild horse and burro specialist. "It's just a bad time. The economy is the number one reason, and winter is coming."

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The Bureau of Land Management has placed more than 225,000 wild horses and burros into private care since passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. Federal law defines wild free-roaming horse or burros as unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming and found on Western public rangelands administered by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. The animals descend from horses and burros owned by Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, U.S. Cavalry and Native Americans.

To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must:

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  • Be at least 18 years old (parents or guardians may adopt a wild horse or burro and allow younger family members to care for the animal)
  • Have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or for violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act
  • Demonstrate that you have adequate feed, water and facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals requested
  • Show that you can provide a home for the adopted animal in the United States.
  • Provide a minimum of 400 square feet (20 feet x 20 feet) for each animal adopted. Until fence-broken, adult horses need to be maintained in an enclosure at least six feet high; burros in an enclosure at least 4.5 feet high and horses less than 18 months-old, in an enclosure at least five feet high. 


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