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Health & Fitness

Yahoo For Wild Mustangs and Burros at Auction

One needs to keep in mind that these are "wild" animals captured to be placed in good permanent homes.

On July 23 and 24, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is a branch of the Department of Interior, will conduct a public auction of 30 mustangs and 10 burros. The Pillsbury Ranch located on 13036 Willow Rd. in Lakeside will host the event with the hope of finding some good permanent homes for the animals.

Wild mustangs and burros (donkeys) are rounded up from various regions and auctioned to the highest bidder (starting at $125). The roundup is conducted to reduce the population of free ranging animals. While some folks would argue that they should remain free, the facts are they compete with wildlife and become targets for cruel individuals.

The Public Act of 1971, Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act was unanimously passed by the Senate on June 19, 1971, and signed into law on December 15, 1971, by President Richard Nixon. This law provides for the BLM to protect and find placement for excess animals.

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Since the 1970s, over 225,000 have been adopted.

The horse evolved in North America and then disappeared and was reintroduced by the Spanish explorers.

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The burro was imported to North America and used by miners, prospectors and to cross breed with horses to produce mules. And since all mules are sterile the burro remained a necessary component of the faming and pack industries. When no longer needed by the miners and prospectors, many simply turned their animals loose to fend for themselves.

Horses today are suffering a similar fate due to the current economy and lack of placement options.

The BLM auction is done by silent bidding. Each bidder signs up for a number. Then the bidder walks around to various corrals to check out the animals. On the corral is a bid sheet for each animal within that particular corral. Each animal wears a number fastened by a colored color which signifies the gender.

At the bidders sign-in table, bidders are given a printed listing of the available animals which lists their age, tag number, gender, color, face marking and freezemark.

Each animal will have a white freezemark, or brand, on the left side of their neck. This brand denotes where the animal was captured and date. This is a Federal brand and may not be altered in any way.

The requirements to adopt are—to have adequate shelter (know your zoning), trailer for transportation, pay the fee and a halter. 

Unfortunately, some folks think it would be "cool" to have a wild mustang or burro only to be frightened of the animal within a few weeks of the adoption.

One needs to keep in mind that these are "wild" animals captured to be placed in good permanent homes. This is a contract with the Federal government and the entire adoption process takes one year. The first step is auction day where the paperwork is done and the check is made out.

After the animal is home for a few weeks, or months, the BLM arrives, unannounced, at the animal's new home with a trailer. They want to see how the animal is progressing. If it looks like the animal isn't receiving the best care they load up the animal on the spot and take it away.

For those who are doing a good job, they get a second surprise visit, months down the road. If this is a good second visit the BLM will recommend that the agency provide a Certificate of Title after an approved veterinarian has inspected the animal. 

While burros and mustangs have durable hooves they need care once they are in captivity. Hoof care is critical and part of the training process. The BLM provides a list of local horseshoers, local veterinarians and mentors who are available for phone information.

In 2005, I went up to Alpine to just watch and take photos for future painting references. But when they announced that "bidding is closing in 5 minutes" I placed one bid on a 2-year-old gelding. I won. Ooops. Then I had to call a friend with a trailer to bring my new friend Obediah home. He is my best buddy and quite the model as long as carrots are involved.

It's worth it to go and see the animals that still represent the Wild West. Take your camera and take your time watching their behaviors. There will be trainers who will actually take wild horses out of a pen and demonstrate how people should be working with the animal. They are very willing and great horses if given a chance. More info is available at (866)4mustangs.

It will be hot, so wear a hat, slather on sunscreen and drink lots of water.

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