WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Here's your chance to own something wild. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be offering a number of wild horses and burros gathered from the western rangelands of the United States for placement through adoption or sale at South Congaree Arena in West Columbia on May 16-18.
Adopters and buyers must meet the following requirements:
- be at least 18 years old
- able to verify the animal's access to food, water, and adequate shelter
- must be able to receive immediate ownership of the animal(s)
- must have an approved trailer to transport animals from the event
Fun facts about wild horses and burros, according to BLM:
- wild, free-roaming wild horses can be found on public lands across 10 western states, with wild burros roaming in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Oregon
- most of today's wild horses and burros are descendants of animals released or escaped from Native Americans, Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, and the US Calvary.
- animals range in color from solid brown and black to pinto and palomino
- wild horses stand 13-15 hands high (52-60 inches) and weigh 700-1,000 pounds; wild burros average 11 hands (44 inches) and weigh 500 pounds
- the animals are known for their strength, intelligence and endurance
“The BLM has placed more than 250,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971,” said Southeastern States District Manager Robert Swithers. “Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses.”
The South Congaree Arena event will feature approximately 70 horses and 12 burros for adoption or sale. There is a minimum $125 adoption fee per animal required at time of adoption, BLM may allow participants in the Adoption Incentive Program to adopt and maintain up to four untitled animals.
BLM's Adoption Incentive Program provides up to $1,000 incentive payment to adopt untrained wild horses and burros up to 60 days after title date -- adopters typically receive a title eligibility letter within 12 months after the adoption date. Those letters must be signed by a veterinarian or BLM authorized officer before receiving the incentive payment.
Animals for sale include wild horses and burros more than 10 years old and younger animals that have been offered for adoption at least three times. Ownership of the animal immediately passes from the federal government to the buyer at the time an place of purchase. Proceeds from the sale of wild horses and burros go directly to BLM's adoption program.
The wild horse and burro sale and adoption event will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at South Congaree Arena, 395 Oak St., West Columbia.