BLM wild horse adoption, pack clinic February 11

Wild horses from public ranges across northern California and northwest Nevada will be available for public adoption Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.

A wild burro will be available as well.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will offer two 3-year-old geldings, two 2-year-old geldings, a yearling filly and a yearling gelding. A Jack burro also will be available in the adoption event that runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The animals, from the Red Rock Lakes, Buckhorn and High Rock Complex herd management areas, will be available for a $125 adoption fee on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interested adopters can preview the animals when they arrive at the fairgrounds Friday, Feb. 10, at about 4 p.m.

“The animals coming to Ferndale are healthy and ready to train for pleasure riding, competition, packing or work,” said Doug Satica, manager of the BLM’s wild horse and burro corrals near Susanville. “They have been vaccinated against equine diseases including rabies and West Nile virus, and come with complete health care records.”

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and U.S. residents. Title to adopted animals initially remains with the U.S. government, but after providing a year of good care, adopters can receive title.

The adoption event is being held in conjunction with a pack clinic hosted by the Back Country Horsemen of California, Redwood Unit. The clinic includes free sessions on packing with horses, goats and llamas, load balancing, dutch-oven cooking, highlines and other topics. Information is available online at redwoodunit.com.  Click on the newsletters button.

BLM information on wild horses and burros, including details on adoption requirements, is available at wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or by calling 888-4MUSTANGS.