How do the BLM mustang adoptions work?

Question

I know there's a preview the first day. The auction that follows, is it silent auction or is there an auctioneer? Also, does the BLM come out and inspect your property before you can adopt and do they do follow up visits? Are the horses nuts or have they seen people enough by auction time they don't totally flip out? I've been to the BLM website and read through it. I'm just wanting someone's first hand experience.

Answer 1

I dont remember is the auction is silent or not, but they do come out and check to see if your property is fit for a mustang. They also come out and do one or two follow up visits just to make sure the horse is in good health. The horses have seen people by the time the auction comes around, but once they are separated from their herd, then they go nuts. It will take a while for the horse to calm down, but it will happen once he or she is used to their new environment.

Answer 2

There is usually an auctioneer.  The only one that is a silent auction is the internet-based auction.

You have to fill out an application telling what your property is like.  Sometimes they come and check, sometimes they don't.  They don't have enough time to check every single one.  However, if you are found to be lying, they will take your horse away.

They do follow up visits within the first year usually.  They don't always have time but definitely try to.  And to get your title after one year you have to have an inspection by a qualified individual (a BLM employee or a vet usually).

Yes, they are WILD horses in every sense of the word.  I couldn't touch mine for the first month that I had them.  They do have some that have been green broke from some of the inmate training programs but the majority of them won't let you touch them.  Although I found that to make the experience that much more rewarding, personally.  But if you don't know what you are doing when it comes to horse training, don't start with a mustang!

Answer 3

It depends on your location.  Some adoptions are competitive bidding, some are first come first serve.  In a competitive bid, they put 3-4 horses in a viewing round pen at a time so you can see them move, and then they open it to bidding.  Most of the time they still sell for $125.  Odd coat colors, and mares that look pregnant tend to bring in more money.  The first come first serve option works just as it sounds.  When you get there, you register and they give you a number.  When your number comes up you go and pick out what horses you want.

I have adopted a lot of Mustangs over the years and never had an inspector come out.  They call at about 6 months and check to see how things are going - but they are too busy to come out.  Then at a year you have to have a equine profesional sign off that the horse has been adiquately taken care of before you get the title.  The BLM has always been pleasant to work with.

As far as the horses go.  My best advice is to go to an adoption and see for yourself.  But don't leave after the adoption - watch as they get loaded in the trailers.  I have seen people get sick as they watch how these horses behave, and they come to the realization that they just got in way over their head.  The horses at the adoptions have typycally had very little - and more likely - no handling.

If you are going to get one, the younger the better.  Yearlings are much easier to deal with than the adults.  In fact I would not reccomend getting anything 5 or over - they tend to be very set in their "wild" ways.  Avoid the pregnant mares.  You may be getting 2 horses for the price of one - but you are not going to be able to start a horse that is in foal, and you will not be able to get near the baby once it does come.  In my experience, males are easier than the mares.  If they have geldings available, great.  But a young stallion is still easier to work with than an older mare.

You really should go see an adoption all the way through before you decide to get a Mustang - you will learn a lot just watching!

And I agree with what some other posters have said, Mustangs require a decent level of experience to work with.  You didn't mention how much training experience you have, but you should keep that in mind.

Answer 4

I have been to BLM auctions and a very good friend of mine is a horse trainer active in helping people train them.

You must prove that you have proper facilities for the horse - no wire fences, proper shelter, food and proper facilities to accomodate training.  Not just anyone can go buy one.

After you've become a qualified buyer, you go to the sale and it's just like a horse auction.  all horses and burros are there to view beforehand and make your choice and often there's a sale book telling about the ages of the horses and whatnot.

You decide which one(s) you are interested in, attend the sale and purchase.  They help load 'em up in an approved trailer and off ya ogo.

The horses are not "nuts" only people who know little about horses think they are nuts.  They are wild animals who must properly be shown kindness and communicated with on their own level.  They have seen people but rarely have benefit of extended training of any kind.

My friend has often travelled to Kansas where he's from to give clinics on how to properly interact with these horses.  If you are a student of "natural horsemanship" you will know that these horses are pure horse - they act consistently one to the next to consistent stimulus from a trainer because they are 100% pure wild horse with only their horse brethren to teach them about life.  Domestic horses on the other hand are somewhat a bit dog and person because they've been conditioned by people and dogs around the homes they live in.  They have positive and negative characteristics based on their experiences with humans already - the wild horses don't.

So, if you're thinking of adopting a wild horse, start doing your homework now and plan on a good year from now being able to adopt - it will take that long for you to ensure the place you have is right and you have the proper knowledge to interact with a wild horse for its safety and yours.

You shouldn't be allowed to think that adopting a wild horse is better or worse in general than gaining a horse any other way - because all horses require a certain amount of knowledge to handle and interact with them the best we can.   getting a domestic horse started or trained costs no less than getting a wild horse started or trained.

I would suggest contacting the BLM for a trainer experienced with wild horses in your area.  These guys generally are the type who will work with the horse, then with you and the horse to ensure a sound relationship.

Hope this helps!  any inexperienced person willing to take on an existing horse with potential problems is much wiser than one who wishes to breed their own.  Fixing or starting a grown horse is actually less time-intensive and less costly than raising your own due to the years of interaction required to start a foal and the potential for an untrained person to teach a young horse improper behavior due to ignorance, not intended damage.