News Release

For Release: May 22, 2002
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-02-57

HORSE FANCIERS CAN GET FREE TRAINING TIPS
AT RED BLUFF WILD HORSE ADOPTION
80 Wild Horses, 20 Wild Burros Are Up for Adoption

When Lesley Neuman speaks, wild horses – and horse enthusiasts – listen.

Neuman, an accomplished trainer with a special emphasis on working with wild horses, will share advice and techniques for gentling mustangs, when the Bureau of Land Management brings its Adopt-a-Horse or Burro program to the Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9.

During the adoption event, BLM will offer 80 mustangs and 20 burros for public adoption from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Anyone interested can preview the animals when they arrive Friday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

"Lesley's training demonstrations are an excellent introduction to the gentle methods that are effective at training wild horses," said Pardee Bardwell, a wild horse and burro specialist with the BLM. "She will work with horses directly from the adoption pens and show techniques that build trust, not fear, in the horse."

Neuman, who has conducted training demonstrations and participated in workshops as far away as Australia, explains to her audiences exactly what the horse is "telling her." She speaks simply and clearly to tell the audience what she is doing to guide the horse from panicked captive to willing partner.

"These horses are smart and strong. It's the only way they survive on the range, Neuman says. "Once they learn to trust humans, they make wonderfully intelligent, sensitive and devoted mounts who can do anything domestic horses can do. Plus, they have built-in savvy and natural good manners."

The BLM adoption event begins with an hour of silent bidding Saturday morning at 9. Bidding starts at BLM's basic adoption fees of $125 for horses and female (Jenny) burros, and $25 for male (Jack) burros. When bidding is completed, all animals are available on a first-come basis for BLM's basic adoption fees.

Animals have been wormed and vaccinated, and come with a complete set of health care records, allowing their new families to begin health care programs with their own veterinarians. BLM wranglers at the event can also provide advice on care and feeding.

To qualify, adopters must be 18 years old. They must have the ability and financial means to care for a wild horse or burro, and have corrals that meet BLM specifications.

Fully grown horses must be kept in corrals with a minimum of 400 square feet (20 by 20 feet) per animal, surrounded by a six-foot pipe or board fence (five-foot fences are allowed for horses under two years old; four-and-a-half-foot fences are allowed for burros). Wire fencing is not allowed because it is dangerous for the animals. Animals must not be released into large pastures until they can be approached, handled, haltered and led.

BLM also requires a two-sided structure, with a roof, to provide protection from severe weather.

Title to adopted animals initially remains with the federal government, but after providing a year of good care, adopters receive title.

"Wild horses are strong, sure-footed and loyal. Adopters find that mustangs have outstanding endurance and excel at competitive events, back country packing, pleasure riding or ranch work," Bardwell said. "Burros are excellent companions. People use them for packing, pulling carts, and even protecting livestock from predators."

BLM removes some horses and burros from public rangelands to keep wild herd populations in balance with other range users – wildlife and permitted livestock. This helps to maintain adequate water sources and healthy plants upon which all range users depend.

Wild horses and burros are protected by a federal law, the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which recognizes them as "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west." The law protects the animals from harassment, and requires the BLM to manage and protect wild populations.

For additional information, contact Bardwell at BLM's Ukiah office, (707) 468-4055, or the Litchfield Corrals near Susanville at (530) 254-6575. More information on the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program is available on the internet at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov, or by calling toll-free, 1-866-4MUSTANGS.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team - 2950 Riverside Dr. - Susanville, CA 96130