The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently held a major wild horse and burro adoption event at Virginia’s Meadow Event Park, drawing horse enthusiasts eager to provide new homes for these iconic animals. Over two days, families and trainers gathered to connect with wild horses and burros, which symbolize freedom but face overpopulation challenges on public rangelands. Adoption events like this are vital for managing herd sizes, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring the animals’ welfare. In Fiscal Year 2025, more than 8,000 wild horses and burros were adopted nationwide—a 20% increase from the previous year—saving taxpayers an estimated $121.2 million in lifetime care costs.

The BLM requires adopters to care for their animals for at least one year before gaining full ownership, with compliance checks to ensure proper treatment, while sales transfer ownership immediately but require certification of care intent. Despite recent successes, over 63,000 wild horses and burros remain in government facilities, costing taxpayers over $100 million annually. The BLM encourages more adoptions and purchases to reduce these numbers, promote healthier herds, and preserve the future of America’s wild horse and burro populations.