SPOKANE — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking good homes for 18 deserving wild horses, and the public is invited to attend a Wild Horse Adoption at the Black Raven Stables in Arlington Saturday, April 25.
The horses are from the scenic Heath Creek/Sheepshead and Alvord-Tule Springs Herd Management Area in southeastern Oregon, said Rick McComas, Natural Resource Specialist with the Spokane BLM.
“The mustangs are very trainable,” McComas said.
“They are being used by Homeland Security to patrol the country’s borders because of their gentle manner and soft foot.”
Preview and registration runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 24717 43rd Ave. NE, north of Arlington and silent bidding runs from 2 – 2:30 p.m.
Wild horse gentling demonstrations, i.e. Mustang Makeover, will be offered by an expert in the technique, Jamie Thomas, of Auburn, at 10 a.m. and noon.
Mustang Makeover is an effort developed by the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM to bring together America’s passion for its iconic mustangs and the challenge of training wild horses in a unique competition, the Extreme Mustang Makeover.
As the result of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM protects, manages and controls wild horses and burro populations to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands.
If an overpopulation of wild horses and burros exists on public lands, the BLM gathers excess animals and offers them to the general public for adoption, in adoption events like this one in Arlington.
The BLM manages 256 million acres in 12 Western states as well as 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.
The bureau manages such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development and energy production and conserves natural, historical, cultural and other resources on public lands.
How to go:
Black Raven Stables is located north of Arlington. Take Highway 9 north from historic downtown to 252nd St. NE, turn left onto 43rd Ave. NE. and continue about a half mile.
For information about the Wild Horse and Burro Program, the adoption, or applications, please contact the BLM at 866-4MUSTANGS or see the Web site at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.
