BLM joins Deerwood Ranch for wild horse adoption
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LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse Public Off-Range Pasture, with the BLM and the Mantle Ranch and Wild Horse Training Facility, will host a wild horse adoption and free Open Ranch Days June 7 – 8. The BLM is committed to managing healthy wild horses on healthy, productive rangelands by working with local communities to place excess wild horses and burros into caring homes.
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 eco-sanctuary, and is currently the permanent home to about 350 wild horses. Wild horses at the ranch enjoy a natural and free roaming environment.
On June 7 – 8, the BLM will offer 6 – 8 halter-started horses for adoption at Deerwood Ranch, which were trained by the Mantle family 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 10 – 12 untrained yearlings from the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility during the adoption. 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.
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.
Wild horse public off-range pastures help the BLM care for excess wild horses that have been removed from overpopulated herds roaming Western public rangelands. They provide opportunities for people to learn more about the complexities of the wild horse and burro program, and to experience a piece of our shared American heritage.
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 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 June Wendlandt, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, at 307-775-6097. 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.