The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management–Eastern States (BLM-ES) will hold a special wild horse and burro adoption at the Horsebarn Hill Arena at the University of Connecticut, on August 11-12, 2007.  For only $125, you can take home your own young mustang or burro from the western rangelands.

 

“A wonderful selection of animals will be available to good homes for adoption, including several gentled young animals,” said BLM-ES Wild Horse Program Manager Karen Malloy. Additionally, animals will be available at the new fee schedule starting at $125 for young animals and $25 for those 3 years and up. Some 60 horses and a few burros will be looking for new homes at this adoption.  “This is your chance to get that unique wild horse or burro, and have Americas Living Legacy at your own home” Malloy said. 

 

Gentled wild horses in the Eastern United States are used for dressage, trail riding, western events, and other disciplines.  They are noted for their endurance, sure-footedness and intelligence.  Burros are great companion animals and are sometimes used by farmers for predator control.

 

Some of these animals can trace their roots back to the beginning of the earliest European exploration of what are now the western regions of the United States.  A special addition for this adoption is information on the animals’ heritage, including their herd location and history.

 

“These horses and burros are diamonds in the rough, with excellent legs and hooves, and they have plenty of stamina.  They can be trained to ride or drive and love to work,” said Malloy. “You’ll not only be caring for your own Living Legend, but also helping to save the horses left on the range from over competition for limited food and water,” she said.

 

Also at this adoption, the Central Connecticut Cooperative Farmer’s Association will have a mini-feed store and nutritionist on hand to help ensure adopters have the nutritional supplies and knowledge needed to start their animal off right. 

 

The wild horse and burro adoption will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2007. Remaining animals will be available for adoption Sunday, August 12, 2007, from 8 a.m. until noon.  Animals can be viewed by the public between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2007.  The arena is located just off I-84, is easy to get to, and is open to the public with no admission charge.

 

Call 1-866-4MUSTANGS for information and applications for the Storrs adoption.  Potential adopters are asked to call early to be pre-approved and avoid waiting in line.  You can also visit http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/ or http://www.es.blm.gov/whb/  to get requirement information and download an application and instructions to become a qualified adopter.

 

While the adoption process is simple and straightforward, anyone considering adoption of a wild horse or burro should remember that the animals are wild and require gentling and training. Since the Adopt-A-Wild Horse & Burro Program began in 1973, over 214,000 animals have been adopted nationwide.  Of those, there were over 1,800 adopted in the New England area.

 

Directions: From I-84 take Exit 68 in Tolland. Travel South on Connecticut Route 195 about

6 miles to the University.  You will cross Route 44 (known as Mansfield Four Corners).  Stay on Route 195 for one more mile to the Storrs Campus.  After going down the big hill where it says "campus area ahead," turn left at the 2nd traffic light onto Horsebarn Hill Road.  The road will split right away, take the left split which keeps you on Horsebarn Hill Rd.  The large red arena will be on your left.

The BLM manages more land – 258 million surface acres – than any other Federal agency.  Most of this public land is located in 12 Western States, including Alaska.  The Bureau, with a budget of about $1.8 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources on the public lands.