Least Resistance Training Concepts
----------
Wild Horse Mentors

Requirements to adopt Horses & Burros at the Western States
Wild Horse & Burro Expo
The BLM and the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture will offer a variety of horses for adoption at the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo being held at the Reno Livestock Events Center August 20, 21 and 22. Available animals range in age from weanlings to mature horses and appear in all colors and range from never having been handled to well started to saddle.

Prison trained horses will be offered at a public auction at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 21. Virginia Range mustangs will be available for adoption first come - first served on a "walk-up" basis during the entire event until 4:00 PM Sunday.

A band brought in when their water dried up

Adopter Requirements

  • Adopters must be at least 18 years of age and have no history of animal cruelty charges.

Facility Requirements

  • Adopters must have an appropriate corral, minimum 200 square feet, with appropriate fencing.

    • Minimum fencing height - 6 foot for mature horses, 5 foot for horses under 18 months old and for horses sufficiently gentled so as not to pose a flight risk. (5 foot fencing is adequate for prison trained horses.)

    • Fencing materials shall be of sufficient strength to contain a wild horse, be easily visible to the horse and shall be free from sharp and protruding objects or other hazardous defects.

    • Shelter shall be provided that is appropriate for the local climate.

  • Adequate feed and water shall be maintained on hand.

  • The adopter shall be financially and physically capable of properly caring for the adopted animal.

  • The adopter's facility will be inspected during the adoption to ensure compliance (per BLM & state regulations.)

  • Titles for animals will be issued to adopters after one year if animals are certified to have been maintained in good condition during the adoption period (per BLM & state regulations.)

Adoption Fees

BLM & Prison Trained Horses

  • Prison trained horses will be auctioned at competitive bid.

Virginia Range Mustangs

  • The base adoption fee for a Virginia Range horse is $150.00. This fee includes multi-way and West Nile vaccinations and a health certificate.

  • Halter started and saddle started Virginia Range horses will be offered at higher adoption rates to recover training costs.

  • Fees may be reduced or waived for bona-fide non-profit horse organizations who wish to take horses for placement and/or education programs. Please email Shirley Allen for details.

  • Fees may be reduced waived for approved wild horse trainers and clinicians who wish to take horses for placement and/or education programs. Please email Shirley Allen for details.
Sample gelding
Sample mare and foal pair

Registering to Adopt

It is advisable to be pre-approved to bid on the prison trained horses. If your paperwork isn't accepted at the time of the auction, you might not be given a bidder's number!

Completed paperwork is also required for walk-up adopters of Virginia Range mustangs. It's easier to have these documents completed in advance and any questions about your compliance resolved before the event.

Download BLM Adoption Form
(in PDF format)

Download Virginia Range Mustang Adoption Forms

For additional information about the horses, adopting or related issues, please contact:

BLM Horses:

Virginia Range Mustangs
Seven year old Audrey Christensen
and Eight weanlings at Foster Care

Click photo for details
A band being Fostered in Nevada

Click photo for details

Please note: This web document has been prepared by LRTC and refers to other participating entities. The other adoption entities may have their own specific adoption requirements and fees not mentioned here.

Return LRTC Activities at the Wild Horse & Burro Expo

Visit the Virginia Range "Comstock" Wild Horse Page

Visit the Lucky Horse Project

See the Project Scrap Book

Visit the "Wild Horse Help Desk"

Return to LRTC Home Page

Least Resistance Training Concepts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational corporation based in Knightsen, California, with volunteers in thirty one states.