The Bureau of Land Management is hosting an adoption event at the Doña Ana County Fairgrounds for 80 wild horses and burros that are up for adoption. The animals are untrained but fully vaccinated, dewormed, and tested negative for the Coggins blood test. The BLM is offering $1,000 per animal as an incentive to help defray training, feeding, and veterinary costs.
Bidding for the animals starts at noon on Friday, with any remaining animals available on a first come, first serve basis for $125 each. Anyone over 18 years old, a U.S. Citizen, with no record of animal abuse, and a minimum of 400 square feet per animal is eligible to adopt. The animals must be transported in a trailer provided by the adopter.
The program manager, Pat Williams, emphasizes the benefits of adopting a wild horse or burro, highlighting their sure-footedness, endurance, intelligence, and willingness to learn. Williams recommends patience for first-time horse and donkey owners, as gaining the animal’s trust is key to a successful adoption. Adoption hours are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.
