A New Home for Wyoming’s Wild: Upcoming Horse and Burro Adoptions

Starting this weekend, the Bureau of Land Management begins a series of wild horse and burro adoption events around the state.

The Scoop:

• The Plan: A series of five adoption events throughout September, giving residents a chance to adopt wild horses and burros. The costs? A nominal fee of $125 for untrained animals, with the bureau even offering up to $1,000 as an adoption incentive.
• The Details:
• Sept. 9: The Wind River Wild Horse Ranch will have around 20 untrained animals ready for adoption. Attendees can also embark on a free wagon tour to view the wild horses.
• Sept. 15-16: The Wyoming Honor Farm opens its gates for the adoption of 45 trained animals, which includes saddle-started horses, halter-started horses, and burros.
• Sept. 22: The Wheatland Off-Range Corral has 30 animals up for grabs, complemented by a competitive live auction.
• Sept. 23: Mantle Horse Show and Adoption Event, in collaboration with the Wyoming Mustang Association, showcases 15 animals, both trained and untrained.
• Sept. 30: The Deerwood Open Ranch Days Horse & Burro Adoption offers around 20 animals for adoption.
• But Wait: The Rock Springs Wild Horse Corral is currently off-limits due to construction. However, once completed, this facility promises to provide enhanced safety and protection for both staff and animals.

Why it Matters: These adoption events aim to address the challenge of overpopulation in Wyoming’s public rangelands. The bureau’s initiative not only ensures the well-being of these animals but also safeguards the delicate ecological balance of the region.

For a closer look into the specifics of each event or more on the adoption process, go to the Bureau’s official website.