Adopt a wild horse at Deerwood Ranch Sept. 27 - 28
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LARAMIE, Wyo. – The BLM, along with the Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse Public Off-Range Pasture and the Mantle Ranch and Wild Horse Training Facility, will host a wild horse adoption and free Open Ranch Days Sept. 27 - 28. The BLM is committed to managing healthy wild horses on sustainable rangelands by placing excess wild horses and burros into caring homes.
During the event, the BLM will offer four halter-started yearling horses for adoption, which the Mantle family have trained at their facility in Wheatland. The Mantles have over 26 years of professional experience gentling horses. Silent competitive bidding for the trained horses will take place both days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and start at $125. At the end of each day, the horses that have received bids will be taken home by the highest qualifying bidders.
The BLM will also offer eight untrained horses, ranging from yearling to 3 years in age. The untrained horses will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis for a $25 fee. The BLM launched a new wild horse adoption incentive program in March, making qualified adopters eligible to receive $500 within 60 days of the adoption date and an additional $500 within 60 days of titling for each animal. Titling normally occurs one year from the adoption date. The incentive will be available for the untrained horses at this adoption.
The Deerwood Ranch is located approximately 31 miles west of Laramie, near the Medicine Bow National Forest and Little Laramie River. It was the first BLM-sponsored wild horse Public Off-Range Pasture, and is currently the permanent home to about 350 wild horses. Wild horses at the ranch enjoy a natural and free roaming environment.
“The Deerwood Ranch is a prime example of how our off-range pasture program can benefit both wild horses and local communities,” said Monica Mohr, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist. “The September adoption will not only give visitors the chance to bring home a Mantle-started horse. It’s also an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the wild horse and burro program and experiencing a piece of our shared American heritage.”
BLM staff will be on-hand to process adoption applications and answer questions. Nicki Creasey, BLM Training Incentive Program Trainer, will also be present to answer questions and provide training demonstrations with one of her gentled burros.
The Deerwood Ranch will host Open Ranch Days during the adoption, offering tractor rides to view the wild horses residing at their property every half hour form 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Gift items will be available at their visitor center, and lunch will be available for purchase both days from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Deerwood Ranch is located at 599 State Hwy 11, Laramie, WY 82070. For more information about the ranch, visit www.deerwoodranchwildhorseecosanctuary.com. For more information about the adoption, contact Monica Mohr at 307-775-6162. To learn more about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, visit www.blm.gov/whb, or contact the national information center at 866-468-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.