BLM to offer wild horses, burros for adoption in Napa

NAPA, Calif. – Wild horses and burros from the herd management areas of northeast California will be looking for new homes when the Bureau of Land Management offers them for adoption Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, at the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association Arena, 1200 Foster Road, in Napa. The BLM will offer eight mares and geldings aged 4 to 5, and 10 yearling fillies and geldings. A total of 14 burros of all ages, including yearlings, will also be available.

Anyone interested can preview the horses and burros when they arrive at the arena at about 2 p.m. Friday, June 21. BLM staff will also be available at that time to approve adoption applications.  Interested adopters can download and complete the form and bring a printed copy with them or obtain an application at the event.

The gates open at 8 a.m., Saturday, and the adoption event gets underway promptly at 9 a.m. with live auction bidding. Bidders must have approved adoption applications to participate. Animals not taken during bidding will be available for an adoption fee of $125 on a first-come, first-served basis.  Untrained animals offered at this event are eligible for the Adoption Incentive Program, which offers $1,000 to adopters after they have provided good care to their animal for a minimum of one year.

“These animals are healthy and ready to begin training,” said Doug Satica, manager of the BLM’s Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corral near Susanville.  “Adopters receive full medical records showing vaccinations against all common equine diseases including West Nile virus.” 

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have facilities that meet the BLM’s requirements. Title of ownership to the animals remains with the federal government for a year, after which adopters can apply for title.

The BLM is responsible under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act for protecting and managing wild horses and burros on public lands. The agency periodically removes animals from the range when populations exceed levels established to allow wild horse and burro herds to thrive in balance with other range users, including wildlife and permitted livestock. These animals are then available for adoption at events throughout the country. More information about the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program is available online.