Contact:  Bill Davenport, 703-440-1720

April 3, 2007                               

Wild Horse and Burro Holding Facility in Ewing, Illinois, Open for Adoption

The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management–Eastern States (BLM-ES) will hold a Wild Horse and Burro Adoption at the Wild Horse and Burro Holding Facility in Ewing, Illinois, on June 8-9, 2007.

The adoption will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday June 8, 2007, and Saturday, June 9, 2007.  The facility is located 30 minutes from Mt. Vernon, Illinois just east of I-57 at Exit 77.

Yearlings and horses under 5 years old will be available for this event.  These horses are noted for their endurance, sure-footedness and intelligence.  All animals have been examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, de-wormed, and blood-tested prior to being offered for adoption to good homes.

Since the Adopt-A-Wild Horse & Burro Program began in 1973, over 212,000 animals have been adopted nationwide.  Gentled wild horses in the Midwest are used for trail riding, dressage, western events, and other disciplines.   

Prospective adopters must have sturdy corrals, at least 6 feet high for horses and 5 feet for burros and yearlings, shelter, transportation, and the means of caring for the animals.  The adoption order will be first come first served, with an adoption fee of $125 per animal.

Adopters must provide their own stock-type, step-up trailer.  BLM staff will sort, halter and load animals onto the adopters’ trailers.  Applications to adopt may be screened in advance by mail or fax and will be reviewed in person starting Friday.  Adopters must be approved to adopt animals.  Call early to be pre-approved, before you come, to avoid waiting in the lines.

The facility is located 5 miles east of Ewing, Illinois, at 22295 Sheep Farm Rd.   Directions to the facility are:  From Interstate 57, take Exit 77 east (S.R. 154), turn north on State Route 37 and go 1 mile, turn east (right) on Ewing Rd., go 8 miles (3 miles past the town of Ewing,) and turn north (left) onto Sheep Farm Rd., go 1 ½ miles, the facility is at the intersection of Sheep Farm Rd. and Bobtail Rd. 

For applications, facility and trailer requirements, or other information about this event, contact the Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States 1-800-370-3936.

-BLM-