One of three horses were adopted by California Polytechnic State University, where the school mascot is the “Mustangs.”
A 6-year-old saddle-trained wild horse from the Diamond Hills sold for $6,800 at a wild horse and burro adoption event at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center on June 11.
“Darrow,” a flaxen-mane sorrel gelding was the top horse at the auction which raised $62,800 for 15 wild horses and one burro.
All available horses and the burro were adopted at the event.
"We were really happy with the turnout for the adoption, it went really well and the horses and inmates showed off their talents,” said NNCC Ranch Manager Justin Pope. “The weather was great and our visitors and adoptees were very enthusiastic.”
The equines came from herd management areas located on BLM Nevada public lands, and were trained for approximately four months by inmates, before being offered for adoption.
Adopters came from all over the country with trailers from Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah.
A 6-year-old mare, “Brandy,” from the Snowstorm Mountains HMA, was adopted for $3,800. The painted color Johnny burro, “Wingman” from the Seven Troughs HMA was adopted for $800.
The successful bidders officially adopted their horses — after properly caring for their adopted animals for one year, the adopters are eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government. The BLM uses its adoption program as a primary tool to place these iconic animals into private care. The animals available for adoption typically come from overpopulated herds on public lands where available vegetation and water can become scarce as populations grow. There are no natural predators that can effectively control wild horse and burro population growth on public lands.
Many people have found it personally challenging and rewarding to adopt a wild horse or burro. Additionally, it is a chance to care for, and then own, a part of America’s heritage. The BLM has placed nearly 285,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971.
The next saddle-trained wild horse adoption and competitive-bid auction at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center is scheduled for October 8, 2022. Additional information on this partnership, including past and current event catalogs, is posted on-line at https://on.doi.gov/2jE05uy.
