Adoption
The Adoption Process
The process of adopting a BLM horse starts with an application.
The BLM application can be obtained on line (BLM application link) and can be faxed to the facility where you wish to adopt. You will be approved for a maximum number of horses/burros and at that point, you can “select” your equine at a holding facility or local adoption. Annual maximum for adoption is four.
The BLM website will tell you what barn/facility requirements are required for the age and level of experience of the horse you choose. A four-horse stock type trailer is required to transport, however having the correct trailer need not be an obstacle. Some BLM holding locations will provide transportation of the horses to your home. The NMMBA is a resource for you to help you locate a trailer to transport your new horse, if needed.
Where To Adopt
Most people interested in adopting generally go local, on-site adoptions. At local adoptions, the public can choose from up to 100 pre-selected horses that are brought in for the event. The convenience is certainly a plus. However, it is more difficult to judge the horses’ nature when it has been transported to a strange environment. Other physical characteristics can give strong indication of personality and potential in horses.
The experience of selecting from hundreds or thousands of horses at a larger holding facility can be very worthwhile. Selecting from hundreds of horses, of all ages, gives more choices and being that many horses is a thrill.
At local adoptions the horse are younger than 5 years old. They may not meet your needs for conformation, physical maturity, quality, or temperament. For example, for some adult adopters, a horse over five is more appropriate. These are not prime adoption age and while they are legally adoptable, younger horses are encouraged.
The younger horses have likely spent up to half their lives in pens with horses of like age. Without adult supervision, these youngsters do not learn appropriate social skills and can be harder to train. However, at five and older, the horses are fully grown with bones fully developed. They have had appropriate “parenting” in a herd situation before capture. They can hold an adult rider’s weight without difficulty while the younger horses are still growing.
Keeping that in mind, the majority of ‘wild horses’ are pony sized: under 14.2 Hands high (a hand is four inches and height is measured at the withers) the additional years may be the right choice for horse and rider. While there are BLM horses that are substantially taller, they are often crosses with domestic breeds.
The New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association strongly recommends that you to visit to the Colorado CI BLM (link) inmate program, where halter trained horses are among 2,000 wild equines that are available. It is an experience of a lifetime.
The Cost of Adopting
Most horses and burros of adoptable ages are available for adoption at $125.00.
“Sale Authority” horses cost between $25.00 to $75.00. They are older than 10.
New Mexico BLM Incentive Program A trail program for promoting adoptions currently offers to New Mexico residents a rebate of $500.00 for mustang and burro adoptions. Click here to see what special adoption rates or adoption incentives are available.
All standard adoption procedures and regulations apply, however when the adopter applies for title, after one year, and the mustang passes a veterinary inspection, the BLM sends the adopter a Check for $500.00.
What To Expect from Your Horse:
Many of those horses in BLM corrals are generally friendly and curious to hang out with you. Some are traumatized and will stay well away from you. However, even friendly ones, when they are separated from the herd, they will be most likely be anxious or stressed. There are many kind and gentle ways of communicating with horses, however your BLM contacts are likely to use the quickest methods which may be stressful to your horse.
Start your relationship with your horse right away by showing your horse he/she has nothing to fear from you. They will be tired, anxious, hungry and thirsty. Use soft reassuring sing-song tones and slow easy movement and think ahead: have hay and water already in place for your horse(s) to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Horses are herd animals and there is safety in numbers. If possible, have another herd animal in an adjacent pen for company and security while your horse is adjusting to his/her new home. Expecting a horse to always be calm at home is unrealistic.
Although wild horses can be sociable, gentle, and willing to learn, they are subject to sudden reactions to strange events and sights – some things, even just the sight of a rider in a cowboy hat, can bring terrifying memories. Patience really pays off here.
The horse may be friendly and willing, but does not know anything about a domestic environment. Horses have a defense against predators: to run. As prey animals, anything that looks frightening will automatically trigger a turn and run response. Keeping yourself and your horse safe means protecting the horse from unexpected unknowns while you gently get it accustomed to the sights, sounds and people of a totally new world.
When your horses trust you to take care of him/her, and trust that you are safe and that you are a reliable part of his/her “herd/family” miracles can start to happen. However, until the horse has settled in, and has learned to trust you and the routine at your place, serious training effort is useless. A horse that is panicking inside may stand still for you, but cannot really internalize the lessons. Learn more about transitioning your wild horse to domestication at www.shakingwindranch.com
Training for your Mustang
Presently several options are available which provide training for your mustang. Some involve minimal cost and others are totally free. Obtaining a mustang with training can be a big step in the right direction and jump start your experience of mustang ownership.
Inmate Training Programs: Colorado Correctional Institute adopts out halter and saddle trained mustangs. Halter trained horses adopt for as little as $300.00. You can also select your mustang and have the horse trained at the Correctional Instutite for an additional cost.
NMMBA Announces Adoption Incentives: In addition to the BLM's New Mexico adoption rebate of $500.00 after the first year, other programs exist to help adopters and wild horses get together! Paid Training for Adopted Horses: This program pays a trainer to work with the adult horse for up to 90 days. There is no additional cost additional to the adopter, who pays only the regular adoption fee of $125.00.
For information, contact Shaking Wind Ranch at equineashram@gmail.com
Youth Adopt a Yearling Program: This program offers parents of young people, ages 9-18, the opportunity to adopt a yearling at a minimal cost of $25.00. Upon BLM approval of an adoption application, the program provides training assistance, money for feed during a 90 day trial period, and the opportunity for the potential adopters to proceed or decline the adoption. Additional support for the young people participants is given as scholarships and awards at the end of the 90 day period.
For information, contact Shaking Wind Ranch at equineashram@gmail.com
Adoption Locations: Select Your Own Mustang from Thousands of Wild Horses. Adoption locations for the incentives programs are in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma and may be distance and cost prohibitive for New Mexican adopters. If you have decided to adopt, or are considering adoption and need to be convinced, a visit to a BLM facility containing thousands of beautiful horses is the ticket! With your completed application, the NMMBA, in cooperation with Shaking Wind Ranch, will make special arrangements with the Colorado Canon City BLM facility for you to visit the facility near Pueblo, Colorado to personally select your mustang or yearlings. Whether or not you choose to use the training available through these incentive programs, selecting your own mustang from thousands is an experience of a lifetime. If you need help transporting your adopted horse, the NMMBA or the Colorado CI Facility can help to arrange transportation for your horse.