Frequently Asked Questions about Adoption Facilities 

Are the Facilities open to the public?

Yes, please refer to hours listed for each facility. The facilities welcome bus tours, school groups, and the general public. Group tour organizers should contact the facility first to make an appointment.

What type of care do the facilities provide?

All facilities provide standard veterinary care as needed to maintain a healthy animal until it is adopted. Most of the facilities also serve as preparation centers. The BLM vaccinates, deworms, and freeze marks all of the wild horses and burros it offers for adoption, while a veterinarian provides all the necessary medical care. The BLM will provide you with a record of the adopted animal’s medical history, including the age of the animal and negative results of a Coggins test. A negative Coggins test indicates that the animal does not have Equine Infectious Anemia(EIA).

How do I adopt an animal?

If you are interested in adopting, you will need to fill out Form 4710-10, Application for Adoption of Wild Horse(s) and Burro(s), and mail it to the BLM office serving your area or bring it to the facility. You may obtain an application by calling 1-866-4MUSTANGS or visiting www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov

How much does it cost to adopt a wild horse or burro?

The adoption fee is $125 per animal at the majority of facilities. In the case of competitive bidding, the adoption fee may exceed $125 per animal.

Note: Cost varies for trained animals, based on the negotiated agreement between BLM and the specific Department of Corrections (DOC) facility. Final cost will be $125 for BLM adoption fee plus DOC’s training fee. BLM enters into agreements with various DOCs to offer the public an opportunity to adopt a trained wild horse; however, the animals remain the BLM’s responsibility until it is adopted.

What do I bring to the facility?

Money – The BLM accepts VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, travelers’checks, money orders, personal checks, and cash as payment for adoption fees.

Equipment – Bring a halter and lead rope for each animal you adopt. The BLM recommends a double-stitched, nylon-webbed halter. The lead rope should be about 12 feet long and made of cotton or nylon. BLM personnel will place the halter and lead rope on your animal and load the animal into your trailer.

Transportation – Adopters must provide transportation for their adopted animal from the adoption site to their new home. Another person may transport the animal, but all trailers must have rear swing gates and covered top. Drop-ramp, divided, two-horse trailers and trucks with stock racks are not acceptable. BLM personnel will inspect the safety of each trailer and reserve the right to refuse loading if the trailer is unacceptable.

Misc. – It may be helpful to bring binoculars to the larger centers to assist you in viewing the animals.

Will the BLM hold an animal that I want to adopt?

You should be prepared to pick up your animal and transport it to its new home. Provided you have completed the paperwork to adopt the animal, the facility may be able to hold the animal until you can return with transportation. Prior to adopting, check with respective facility to see if any animal transportation or brand inspection laws apply.

Will the facility geld animals?

Prior to adopting, check with the respective facility for its policy on gelding animals.

Where can I get more information?

For other information, please call 1-866-4MUSTANGS or visit the BLM web site at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.