Wild Horse and Burro Adoptions

Federal protection and a lack of natural predators have resulted in thriving wild horse and burro populations that grow in number each year. The BLM monitors rangelands and wild horse and burro herds to determine the number of animals, including livestock and wildlife, which the land can support. Each year, the BLM gathers excess wild horses and burros from areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals use the area.

These excess animals are offered for adoption to qualified people through the BLM’s Adopt-a-Horse-or-Burro program. After caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal Government. While the challenges to adopting enough animals are greater than ever, the program is a popular one. In fact, the BLM has placed more than 235,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971.

For more information on BLM adoptions, please visit the Adoption Schedule. To apply to adopt a wild horse or burro on-line, please go to BLM's Adoption Application.  If you are interested in adopting directly from one of the BLM's facilities, please visit the BLM's Facilities page.

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