President Nixon signed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971 and thus began the wild mustang adoption program. Wild free-roaming horses that were not claimed after a certain period of time were given up as property to the government Bureau of Land Management or BLM. BLM on occasion captures wild mustangs and brands, de-worms, and gives proper vaccinations to all the horses then sells them at auction for approximately $125.

Go to the BLM website www.blm.gov if you are interested in adopting a horse from the wild mustang adoption program. Fill out and submit the online form or download the proper form and mail it to your local BLM office. You have to be at least 18 years of age to adopt a horse or have a guardian ad litem that will adopt for a younger family member. You must not have had any convictions of inhumane treatment of animals, show you have the corral, feed and shelter to care for the horse, and that you will care for the horse in the United States.

A BLM employee will contact you and make and on site inspection to verify your facilities meet the requirements for adopting a horse. Your corral must be 400 square feet minimum (20′x20′) and contain a shelter for protecting the horse during bad weather and you need to have good quality grass hay as feed for your horse.

After a successful on site inspection occurs you can start the process of looking for a mustang to adopt. A visit at one of the BLM’s adoption sites is possible or you can look online at the BLM website www.blm.gov. To get information about adoption dates and locations near you call 1-866-4MUSTANGS toll free number. On the wild mustang adoption day get to the facility early and bring a horse trailer, a lead rope 12 feet long, a double-stitched nylon webbed halter and fees in the form of personal check, cash, traveler’s check, money order, or credit card.

You must care for the horse successfully for one year before BLM issues you a Certificate of Title. The horse legally belongs to the Federal Government before the one-year anniversary of your purchase. To make it to the one year anniversary of the wild mustang adoption make sure you have a good veterinarian, a mustang trainer, and most importantly the love and patience to give to a wild horse.