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BLM Sand Wash Basin wild horse adoption set for Florence March 4-5

Organization:

Northwest DO

BLM Office:

Little Snake Field Office

Media Contact:

FLORENCE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a wild horse and burro adoption event in Florence, Colo. March 4-5 at Pathfinder Regional Park. The two-day outdoor event will feature 78 wild horses from the Sand Wash Basin. The horses were gathered from the range last fall as part of an effort to manage the herd’s growth.

“Horses from the Sand Wash Basin are highly popular with the public and with adopters,” said Stephanie Connolly, Acting Colorado State Director. “They are known for their unique colors ranging from pintos and red roans to sorrels with flaxen-manes and tails, their large stature, and gentle dispositions. We appreciate those who adopt and welcome these horses into their families.”

Bidders must be present during the silent auction on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to place a bid. BLM staff will approve applications onsite. Loadout of adopted horses needs to be completed by March 5 at 5 p.m. For loads of four or more wild horses, arrangements may be made for loadout on March 6 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Timeline of events:

  • Public viewing:                        Friday, March 4, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Public viewing:                        Saturday, March 5, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Silent auction/adoption:           Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • First come-first serve:              Saturday, March 5, 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Loadout:                                   Saturday, March 5, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The BLM’s goal is to place animals removed from overpopulated herds into good, private homes. In Fiscal Year 2021, the Adoption Incentive Program and other actions helped the BLM achieve more adoptions and sales of wild horses and burros than any other year since 1997. The BLM placed 8,637 animals into private care, surpassing performance levels over the past 24 years.

Pathfinder Regional Park is located at 6639 Highway 115, Florence, CO, 81226.

For information about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro.

-BLM-

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.

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