Carson National Forest

Natural Resources - Wild Horses

WILD HORSE GATHERING

Wild Horse Adoption

The Carson National Forest initiated a wild horse gather on the Jicarilla Wild Horse Territory on the Jicarilla Ranger District near Bloomfield, NM on August 25.  Existing range conditions have declined on the territory due to long term drought and past grazing activities. The Forest Service is attempting to reduce the grazing pressure from wild horses by gathering a portion of the population.  Livestock grazing has also been reduced on allotments located within the wild horse territory. A 2004 environmental assessment determined that the territory could support between 50 to 105 horses depending on environmental conditions.  The current population estimate is 428 horses.  The Carson National Forest plans to gather 93 horses this Fall.  Mt. Taylor Mustangs is the gather contractor and is using a low-stress baiting method.  Once the horses are gathered, they will be made available for adoption in Farmington, NM.
If you are interested in adopting a wild horse you should review "Adopting a Wild Horse from the Carson National Forest" which can be found below. If you cannot meet the requirements do not attempt to adopt a wild horse. A Forest Officer will check on the condition of adopted horses and the facilities that house them during the first probationary year.

As an adoptee you must provide a minimum of 400 square feet (20 feet x 20 feet) for each animal adopted. Horses less than 18 months of age should be kept in corrals with fences 5 feet high. Fences must be at least 6 feet high for ungentled horses more than 18 months of age. The acceptable corral must be sturdy and constructed out of poles, pipes, or planks (minimum 1.5 inch thickness) without dangerous protrusions. No space between rails should exceed 12".  Barbed wire, large-mesh woven, stranded and electric materials are unacceptable for fencing.  You must also provide shelter from inclement weather and temperature extremes for your adopted wild horse.

If you are planning to adopt a horse please come prepared to haul the horse home the same day.  If a trailer is deemed inadequate no horses will be loaded.  A covered stock type trailer will be required.  Do not bring a two- horse trailer.  If you have questions about the adequacy of your trailer please do not hesitate to contact us at (505) 632-2956.
Wild horses gathered on the Carson National Forest will be adopted out in accordance with the National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.  However, unlike any other National Forest or BLM Resource Area, the Carson National Forest conducts local adoptions.  Local adoptions cut down on the time horses are held in holding facilities and gives local interested publics an opportunity to see and possibly adopt one of these local wild horses.

If you are interested in adopting one of these horses, please call Anthony Madrid, Jicarilla Ranger District, Carson National Forest at (505) 632-2956, or e-mail amadrid@fs.fed.us. An adoption application must be completed prior to any adoption.

Thank you for considering the opportunity to provide a special home for a living symbol of American history.

• Adopting a Wild Horse from the Carson National Forest (RTF, 248kb)
• Application for Wild Horses (RTF, 42 kb)
• Wild Horse Pictures (22 kb)

Contact Person: amadrid@fs.fed.us

El Rito Wildhorse Environmental Assessment (1,540 kb)

Environmental Assessment for Management of the Jicarilla Wild Horse Territory.

Title Page/Table of Contents (746 kb)
Chapter 1 - Purpose and need for action (783 kb)
Chapter 2 - Alternatives, including the proposed action (660 kb)
Chapter 3 - Environmental Consequences (2,554 kb)
Appendix A - Project Record Index (713 kb)
Appendix B - Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (1,682 kb)
Appendix C - Considerations Concerning Stocking Rates (2,161 kb)