The Bureau of Land Management manages wild horses and burros on public lands to ensure that healthy animals can thrive on healthy public rangelands. As part of these efforts, the BLM works to manage herd growth so that herds do not grow beyond what the land can support with sufficient water and forage resources. When herds are too large, the BLM places some of those wild animals into good private care with a new adopter or purchaser. It can be a long journey from wild to mild, but these horses are strong, versatile and intelligent and many go on to make excellent partners for pleasure, show or work. Learn more: blm.gov/whb.
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Horse enthusiasts from across Missouri — including some from Lake of the Ozarks — traveled to Carthage last weekend for a chance to adopt a wild horse or burro.
The Bureau of Land Management hosted the three-day adoption event March 12–14 at the Civil War Arena, where prospective adopters could view animals, participate in competitive bidding, and complete first-come, first-served adoptions. In total, 145 animals from western rangelands were placed into private care.
Wild horses await adoption at the Civil War Arena in Carthage.
The Bureau manages and protects wild horses and burros on 25.5 million acres of public lands across 10 Western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for a variety of uses.
The Wild Horse and Burro Program’s goal is to maintain healthy animals on healthy public rangelands. Nationally, more than 1/3 of all wild horse and burro placements take place in states east of the Mississippi River.
The program was created after Congress passed the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971, which declared wild horses and burros to be “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.” The law gave the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service responsibility to protect and manage herds within areas where the animals were found roaming at the time.
A William Woods University student connects with a wild burro at the Carthage, MO adoption event.
Officials say these events help connect animals with adopters while also supporting the long-term management of wild horse and burro populations.
“Wild horse and burro adoption events such as this one in Missouri are critical to sustainably managing healthy public lands, while placing wild horses and burros into caring forever homes under private care,” the agency said in a statement.
Events like the one in Carthage often draw adopters from around the region.
“The event saw strong turnout from adopters in Southwest Missouri, with some attendees traveling from as far as Columbia and Camdenton,” said Hunter Paffrath with the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program.
BLM employee Travis Tolbert conducts a live auction as bidders prepare to place bids on their desired animals.
Adopters shared that they plan to use the animals in a variety of disciplines, including ranch work, western and English eventing, trail riding, and as companion animals.
“We had a very successful event this past weekend, placing all 145 animals we brought (115 horses and 30 burros) into private care,” Paffrath said. “Current estimates indicate that each animal that remains in government care for the duration of its life costs the American taxpayer more than $15,000. As a result, this event alone will generate an estimated $2.175 million in long-term savings.”
