As part of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) mission to sustainably manage wild horses and burros on public lands, they are seeking proposals for off-range pastures to provide a free-roaming environment and quality care for excess wild horses that were removed from Western public rangelands.
Wyoming BLM'S public affairs specialist, Brad Purdy said that wild horse gathers are the second preferred method next to birth control, for population management.
"Birth controls are not always successful. Hence, leaving us to one of the other options we have and that's conducting gatherings, which occur when there's too many horses and the horse herd exceeds appropriate management level," Purdy added.
To get more people to adopt wild horses, BLM is also offering an incentive of up to $1,000. Adopters of the Adoption Incentive Program are eligible to receive $500 within 60 days of adopting an untrained wild horse, and $500 within 60 days of titling the animal.
Purdy encourages people to attend one of the many adoption programs that BLM has in Wyoming, as well as Colorado, Montana and Nebraska. He added that the Mantle Ranch in Wheatland, and Honor Farm in Riverton, would also be a great outlet for people to adopt a horse that's already been worked with and trained.
"There's a lot of success stories about wild horses. People having great experiences with them. I often hear that once trained and gentled, these are really good work horses," Purdy said.
More information on applying for proposals for off-range pastures can be found on BLM's website.
