The animals are being offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, which uses the adoption program as a way to manage the size of wild horse and burro herds.
“We have about 83,000 on our head management areas out west that covers the 10 western states,” said Kristen Fontaine, supervisor of the wild horse and burrow program in the northeastern states. “We want to have a healthy heard and healthy land, so we are trying to keep that balance.”
Fontaine explained that after they find an appropriate management level for the land, the extra animals are available for the public to adopt.
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To adopt one of the wild horses or burros, you must be at least 18 years old, provide adequate facilities to house the animal, have no animal-cruelty convictions, and provide a stock or horse trailer. There is also a $25 adoption fee.
“Once you adopt the animal, you would be adopting it and bringing it directly home to your place the day of the adoption,” Fontaine said.
Wild horses are no different from a domesticated horse, once they are trained.
“It takes time, patience and training,” Fontaine said. “These mustangs are very versatile. Any type of discipline you are interested in — riding or training or working with your animal — you’re most likely going to find a mustang to fit it because they are not one type.”
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People from all over the area come to Springfield to adopt wild horses or burros.
Christina Thieme of Middletown adopted two horses from past events.
“In my opinion, they are more durable than any other domestic breed,” Thieme said. “It takes time over work. After you get them over the hurdle of trust, then they’re your buddy forever.”
For more information, visit www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro.
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