BLM-Eastern States adopts wild horses and burros into hundreds of homes in eastern U.S.
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WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States announced today that from April-June 2017, over 200 wild horses or burros have been placed into private homes with an additional 50 animals in foster care or training programs. These animals were adopted by members of the public at 11 adoptions held throughout the East. Two of these were Extreme Mustang Makeover events sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, a BLM partner in managing the wild horse and burro program.
“Adopting a wild horse is said to be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime,” said Karen Mouritsen, BLM’s state director in the East. “The unique bond that is created between the adopter and a wild mustang, is really like no other,” she said. Previously wild horses have become champions in dressage, jumping, endurance and trail riding, and are known for their sure-footedness and intelligence.
The BLM estimates that as of March 2017 about 73,000 wild horses and burros roam Western public lands, almost three times the number that is sustainable and healthy for the public land and the animals. With the public’s input, the BLM determines the number of animals the public rangelands can sustain and works to adopt out gathered wild horses and burros.
The BLM manages its program, in part through partnerships such as the Mustang Heritage Foundation, in an effort to maintain healthy herds on healthy lands for the benefit of current and future generations.
The adoption program serves American families by providing opportunities in their local communities to adopt one of America’s Living Legends gathered from the Western range. Since 1971, when the adoption program began, the BLM-Eastern States office has adopted over 80,000 animals into homes in the East.
For more information on the wild horse and burro program, including requirements for adopting a horse or burro and where to find an adoption location near you, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro.
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.