News Release

For Release:  January 30, 2008                                                           
Contact:  Stephen Razo 951-697-5217; email: srazo@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-08-21

BLM Offers Horses, Burros for Adoption at Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals

Wild horses and burros, healthy and ready to train, will be offered for public adoption Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at the Bureau of Land Management’s Ridgecrest  Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.  The corral facility is located four miles east of Ridgecrest CA., on the Randsburg-Wash Road off California Highway 178. The corral gates open at 8 a.m. and the event begins at 9 a.m. with an hour of silent bidding.  Animals not taken during bidding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until 5p.m. on Saturday. 
  
The BLM will offer 40 weanling colts and fillies.  The event will also feature mares and geldings between 2 and 5 years old.  A group of 10 burros -- five jennies and five jacks -- will also be available.  Free delivery within 200 miles of the facility is offered during this adoption. This is a special fee wild horse adoption.  Mares will be $25 each and weanlings, $75 each, or $50 each for two or more. This special fee will be available through March 15, 2008.
 
“We have a nice selection of color in this adoption event,” states BLM Corral Manager, Art DiGrazia.  “We will have pintos, buckskins and palominos along with a nice selection of sorrels and bays.”
  
All available animals have received de-worming treatments and vaccinations for West Nile virus, rabies and common equine diseases. Adopters receive complete health records for their animals so they can begin health care programs with their veterinarians. Title to adopted wild horses and burros remains with the federal government for one year.  After providing a year of good care, adopters can receive title.  The BLM or a representative will check on the condition of the animal during the adoption period.
 
To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals.  BLM staff members will interview all prospective adopters to be sure they meet the BLM adoption requirements. Newly adopted horses and burros must be kept in corrals with at least 400 square feet of space per animal (20 feet by 20 feet), surrounded by a fence built of pipe or boards.  Six-foot fences are required for adult horses.  Horses under 18 months old can be kept in corrals with five-foot fences, and four-and-a-half-foot fences are allowed for burros.  Adopters must provide a two-sided, roofed shelter to provide protection from extreme weather.
  
Adopters must provide a halter and lead rope.  BLM wranglers will halter and load adopted animals.  Adult horses must be transported in stock trailers with side-swinging gates.
  
“Adopters love their horses for pleasure riding and trail riding, back country packing, ranch work and competition.  People train their burros for back country packing, pulling carts, and riding,” DiGrazia said.
   
For additional information on the adoption event or wild horse management, contact the BLM toll free at 866-4MUSTANGS or the Ridgecrest Regional Corrals at (800) 951-8720.  Information is also available online at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553- (951) 697-5217