***BLM News***![](media/image1.png){width="1.1826388888888888in"
height="0.9125in"}

NEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2004-10

FOR RELEASE: Nov. 10, 2003

CONTACT: Maxine Shane (775) 861-6586 or Debra Kolkman (775) 289-1946

**Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Saturday, November 15**

**Palomino Valley, north of Sparks**

Saturday, November15, you have an opportunity to adopt a wild horse or a
burro from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Wild Horse and
Burro Center at Palomino Valley. About 65 wild horses and 52 burros will
be available for adoption through a silent competitive bid process that
begins at 10 a.m.

The Center opens at 8 a.m. for those who would like to view the animals
and to register. The BLM facility is located 20 miles north of Sparks,
Nevada, on the Pyramid Lake Highway (State Route 445). Local adopters
with trained wild horses and burros will provide demonstrations. The
National Wild Horse and Burro Show Association will have a booth, and a
local 4-H club will sell refreshments.

Twenty-nine weanlings and 15 dry mares from the Carter Reservoir Herd
Management Area (HMA) will be offered for adoption. These mostly
dun-colored horses' home range is east of Cedarville, California, near
the California-Nevada border. Seventeen geldings from Nevada will be
available. They come from the Pine Nut, Desatoya and Augusta Mountains
HMAs. There is also two pair (mare and foal) available for adoption.

Do you want a combination alarm clock-pet-guard animal? A burro may be
right for you. Burros gathered from the Blue Wing Complex in
northwestern Nevada will be offered for adoption. Twenty-three jennies
and 29 jacks are available.

-MORE-

Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Saturday, Nov. 15 -- 2222

If you adopt a jack at this adoption and wish to have him gelded, you
may arrange with the BLM to have the contract veterinarian perform this
operation at the Center at no cost. If you adopt a male weanling and
wish to have him gelded when he is older, you will receive a \$50
gelding voucher.

Silent competitive bidding runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bids start at
\$125 per animal; \$250 for a pair. Animals not adopted during
competitive bidding will be available throughout the remainder of the
day, on a first-come, first-served basis. All adopter's applications
will be screened and approved at registration.

Glade Anderson, Center manager, said all animals are vaccinated to
prevent a variety of equine diseases, including West Nile virus and
rabies. Adopters receive complete health care records, so they can begin
health care regimens with their own veterinarians.

A brand inspector and a veterinarian will be on hand to prepare
paperwork so the animals can be transported across state lines. Once
competitive bidding concludes, personnel at Palomino Valley Center will
begin to load out animals. Stock trailers with side-swinging gates are
preferred. Fully enclosed two-horse trailers, with center dividers
removed, are acceptable for wild burros and weanlings.

Anderson says BLM employees will halter and load the horses or burros
for the adopter, but individuals should bring a halter and lead rope
that is appropriate for the size and kind of animals they intend to
adopt.

To qualify to adopt, an individual must be at least 18 years old;
however, parents or guardians may adopt and allow younger family members
to care for the animal. Adopters must provide adequate feed, water and
facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals

-MORE-

Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Sat., Nov. 15 -- 333

requested. You may not adopt if you have been convicted of inhumane
treatment to animals.

"Wild horses have a reputation for being strong and sure-footed. They
have outstanding endurance and excel at competitive events, back country
packing, pleasure riding or working on a ranch," says Anderson. "Burros
make excellent companions, too. They can be used for packing, pulling
carts, and even protecting livestock from predators."

For additional information, call the National Center at (775) 475-2222.
Information about the wild horse program is available by calling toll
free to 1-866-4MUSTANGS. Photos of groups of animals offered for
adoption are posted at
[www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov](http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/).

-30-