Wild horse, burro adoption planned
90 animals from the Bad Lands will be sold this weekend in Nacogdoches
BY TERRIE GONZALEZ

Approximately l 90 wild horses and burros will be sold at auction by the federal government this weekend in Nacgodoches. For more information, call (866)4MUSTANGS. COURTESY PHOTO

If you have a green pasture, a warm heart and a measure of patience, then a wild horse adoption may be for you.

The Bureau of Land management will hold an auction June 21-23 in Nacogdoches at the Nacogdoches County Expo Center to place approximately 90 animals in good homes.

A preview will be held 4-6 p.m. Thursday, followed by the adoptions 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

An oral bid adoption will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday.

"Typically these horses and burros will sell for a couple of hundred dollars each," said Paul McGuire, public affairs specialist with BLM in Oklahoma.

If no one bids on an animal, a statutory flat fee of $125 applies.

Mr. McGuire said that on occasion, some animals will sell for as much as $1,000.

"We always stress the 'wild' in wild horse adoptions," he said.

The adoption process takes one year to complete.

"After caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive a title of ownership from the federal government," he said.

Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 207,000 wild horses, mustangs and burros into private care.

"Generally these animals come from 260 million acres, mostly Bad Lands in the midwest, from property managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service," said Mr. Mc- Quire. "Our policy is to leave them as wild animals unless they become overpopulated in an area."

Auctions like the one in Nacogdoches rotate around the country.

Wild horses and burros are considered living legends and a symbol of American history.

"These animals descended from Spanish explorers, ranchers miners, the U.S. Cavalry and Native Americans," said Mr. McGuire.

Typically, these wild animals are known for their sure-footedness, strength, intelligence and endurance. Each is different with its own personality. Experts say that providing a home for them is both challenging and rewarding.

Persons interested in adopting a wild horse or burro should be:

+ at least 18 years of age, although parents or guardians may adopt on behalf of a younger family member

+ persons should have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or for violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act

+ demonstrate the ability to provide adequate care and facilities for the animal.

Additional information on minimum requirements for facilities and on adoption requirements are available at www.wildhorseandburro. blm.gov

The BLM accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, traveler's checks and credit cards as payment.

For more information, call (866)4MUSTANGS.