Wild horses from public ranges in northeast California and burros from the southern California, Nevada, and Arizona deserts will be available for adoption Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, at the Amador County Fairgrounds, 18621 Sherwood St., in Plymouth. The event will be at the Empire Lot.
The Bureau of Land Management will offer 14 yearling fillies and geldings, eight mares and geldings aged 4 to 8, and 10 gelding and jenny burros of all ages. Additionally, one halter-trained filly will be available.
Anyone interested can preview the animals beginning at noon, Friday, May 9. The adoption gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday, and a silent auction will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Animals not adopted during the auction will be available for the BLM’s adoption fee of $125 all day Saturday and until noon Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis.
“All of these animals are certified healthy and are ready to train for a variety of activities,” said Doug Satica, manager of the BLM Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corrals near Susanville. “With training and patience, they make loyal companions and can excel in everything from trail riding to ranch work.”
Animals will receive deworming treatments and vaccinations against all common equine diseases. The BLM will provide health care records. Adopters must be at least 18 years old and have corral facilities that meet BLM requirements. BLM staff members will be available to review and approve adoption applications at the adoption event.
The BLM is responsible under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, a federal law, for protecting and managing wild horses and burros on public lands. The agency periodically removes animals from the range when populations exceed levels established to allow wild horse and burro herds to thrive in balance with wildlife and the ecosystem or with BLM’s multiple use mission. The animals are then available for private ownership. Visit the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program online for more information.
