BLM Sales
Every year, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) offers wilds Mustangs and Burros for sale that have been “gathered” from land it manages. There is a limit of horses and burros that open range can support. These roundups, known as gathers, are usually performed with helicopters, some places do it on horseback, others do it on foot.
Horses that are gathered are put in holding pens, given shots, medicals, and the stallions are gelded. All year round, there are sales in various locations across the United States. The horses are started at $125.00. And sometimes a “pasture buddy” can be purchased for and additional $25.00. If I’m not mistaken, I think a mare with a foal alongside starts at $250.00. These horses are in all age ranges from weaned on up.
In order to be eligible for the adoption procedure, there are requirements that have to be met. Below info is taken from the Bureau of Land Management web site that can be found here.
Adopter Must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have no prior violations of adoption regulations or convictions of inhumane treatment to animals.
- Keep no more that 4 untitled animals at one facility at any time without written permission.
- Have received Title to all eligible animals previously adopted.
- Be financially able to properly house, feed, and provide veterinary and farrier care for the animal(s).
CORRAL
Facilities must meet these requirements and be constructed before your application will be approved:
- An outside corral with a minimum of 400 square feet (20×20) per animal. Corral should not be too large (more than 50×50), as animals are easier to gentle in smaller corrals.
- All fences and gates must be at least 6 feet high for wild horses over the age of 18 months. Five foot high fences are allowed for gentled horses, yearlings, and burros.
- Fencing material should be 2×6 inch wooden planks spaced no more than one foot apart, rounded pipes, poles, or similar materials that do not pose a hazard to the animal. Small mesh, heavy gauge, woven wire fencing with a 2×6 inch board along the top, center and bottom is acceptable. No barb wire, no electric wire, no T-posts. Once gentled, the animals may be maintained in pastures or in box stalls with daily turnout.
SHELTER
Shelters can be a three-sided shed attached to the corral, or box stall in barn attached to corral, allowing animal to move freely between the corral and shelter. Shelter or stall space should be at least 12 X 12 feet per animal.
TRANSPORTATION
- Adopters must provide their own vehicles or make private arrangements.
- Standard covered stock trailers and horse trailers large enough for 4 or more horses are generally acceptable, contingent on final approval prior to loading. NO 1-HORSE TRAILERS. Two horse trailers are not allowed unless they are a stock type, with no internal dividers. Animals will ride loose and must have enough space to turn around.
- No pick ups with stock racks.
- Lengthwise and slant-load dividers must be removed.
- NO DROP RAMP TAIL GATES ARE ALLOWED
PAYMENT
- Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard.
- The adoption fee is the amount of your winning bid.
HALTERS
- Halters will be put on the animal by the BLM staff or contractor if requested, and must be provided by adopters.
YOUR FACILITIES MAY BE INSPECTED PRIOR TO OR AFTER ADOPTION. FACILITIES AND ANIMALS MAY BE INSPECTED AT ANY TIME UNTIL THE TITLE IS ISSUED.
BLM retains ownership of the animals adopted for a period of 2 yrs. Any time in that 2 yrs. they can inspect the animals and/or facilities where animal is kept. Will post some more of the adoption requirements tomorrow.
Peace
Cindy
