Has anyone...?

Question

has anyone adoped from BML and got a mustang?? if you have how much did it cost and were thay used to human contact. i would like one but just do not know these things.
if you have all ready answered this question please do not answer agen unless you have any more info
if you have anymore info can you please tell me

thanks

Answer 1

I gave an answer last time but I didn't give a lot of specifics. First you should go to the BLM website - I think someone else already gave it to you. Print off the application and requirements. That will tell you what type of fencing you need and if you decide to adopt you will need to complete an application at some point.



In building your fences/corrals I would keep a few things in mind. Odds are you will not be able to walk the horse off the trailer and lead them to the corral, so make your corral so you can just back up to the gate and open the trailer into the corral. I would also reccommend putting your round pen (if you have one) right up to the corral, or in it to make getting them in there easier.



If you go to an auction, you will pay 125 each. It used to be a live auction where you bid - they don't do that anymore. You want to have your application approved before you get there, and get there early. It is first come first serve. Everybody picks at the same time, but if you got the first bidding ticket, you get to pick first. Look for a younger horse. The older they get, the more they are set in their ways.



If you do the internet auction, it is a live bid. Horses with special coat colors go for much higher prices. If you win a bid they give you a drop off destination where you can pick the horse up. Internet adoptions usually give you a chance to adopt a horse that is halter trained. Not reliably - just enough to take pictures with a halter on.



Mustangs are cheap to buy, but they cost a lot in time, and in other ways. If you can't train it, you have to spend the money on that. If it isn't trained, you will be paying a premium for your vet, and most farriers won't touch it. So the reality is... if you can't train the horse to tolerate human contact in 6 months, or you can't get a trainer to help with that, your Mustang will quickly become very expensive and a huge pain in the rear. Mustangs are not something you should buy on a whim.



EDIT: I appologize, I didn't realise that you are on the younger side of things. You need to be at least 18 to adopt a Mustang from the BLM. I am not trying to be mean. Mustangs have a bad name already, and with every failed adoption, that reputation gets worse. Mustangs are either something you have worked with your entire life, or something you start training after years of experience. Movies like Flika, and the Horse Whisperer do not accurately portray horse training. It takes a lot more than apples and kind words to train a Mustang. Again I am not trying to be mean, but I would look into getting a young domesticated horse to train first. Kind of a trial run. Then if that goes well, move on to something harder. Mustangs are not a starting point.

Answer 2

I know some people that adopted two, and I think the current adoption fees can run anywhere from $75 - $300 depending on if you're taking whatever they give you or if you're drawing for a certain horse, or what. It's also a toss-up on how much human contact these horses have had. Some younger ones might not be any more afraid than your typical farm-raised yearling. Others will be wilder than deer and much more dangerous!



If you really want to know, find the nearest BLM adoption center, and go observe one of their adoptions. You would learn so much more than any of us can tell you, because each case is different. It's like putting your hand in a bag of marbles and pulling out one....the adoption centers will have all ages, all temperaments, all colors, and all different potentials.



I think people go look at the horses beforehand and might pay more for a first pick option. They then get to choose first, and can pick the one they like. If you want to go ahead of time and look at the horses, that's a good idea. But be advised, these horses have not had any positive human interaction, such as halter training or gentling. The best you can hope for is that they've been fed well and cared for by humans, so they've learned to tolerate a human's presence just a little.



Good luck.

Answer 3

A friend of mine adoped a yearling from the BLM and it turned out to be a great horse, but she's had YEARS of experience with breaking and training horses. I definately DO NOT recommend any new horse person getting a wild mustang. They generally have no human contact, and it takes a long time to tame them down. Do research on the web about them. I would start at the BLM's website:



http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.1.html



They had a great program last summer called Extreme Mustang Makeover. There are links on the above website to the horse trainers that did the Mustang makeovers (how they tamed them and broke them). They are very informative.



If you've been around horses for a long time, I recommend getting one that may have been handled first if you're uncomfortable with taming. There's a prison in Colorado that does some mustang taming and you can adopt those horses through the BLM. You would just need to finish them.



They make very reliable horses with the proper training. They are also very sturdy and have great stamina.

Answer 4

https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/



someone posted a similar link above. I have friends that have BLM mustangs, and you have to be very expirienced when you get them unless you are going to pay to have it trained. Also, you have to be very picky about your trainer. Yes you can hire some old cowboy, but watch their methods. Some of the available horses have never been touched, some are halter broke, some are "green" These horses are sent to a prison in colorado for the inmates to train. Very rarely will you get a broke ready to go mustang from the BLM. They have very strict rules on your property and fencing and such. You have to report to the BLM everytime you move to a new residence or switch boarding facilities (if you can even board a mustang) The starting bid on the horses is $125. If no one else bids then you get it for that. If you have the expirience, time and money to put into adopting a mustang then i encourage you to try. They are wonderful companions and are naturally sure footed and extremely easy keepers once they are tamed. If this will be your first horse or you dont have the funds to pay for training or the time for the horse then i encourage to look at other breeds, for an already broke horse that can teach you horsemanship.

Answer 5

Most have very little contact, a lot depends on how long they were in the holding facility. If they just came from the wild, they will probably be pretty nervous. I have seen people come back with unbroke horses, with no possiblity of a halter or leading until months after getting them home, and others with horses smart enough to get the general concept of a halter, though not leading very well, obviously.



training a mustang is not for a beginner. They make excellent horses, I have only known 1 out of 15 or so to not be bombproof, dedicated, intelligent horses, but they all needed to have firm discipline with training, and you needed to be dominant (since they came from the wild herd, they know social status moreso than a lot of captive bred horses). A mustang is more likely to show these tendencies- the ones I know tend to make it to the top of the herd if mares, and have stallionish behaviors even if gelded for boys (including herding mares, biting on the flanks to chase them where they want them, etc).



As for price, depends on the age and individual horse. I have heard between $50-$100 or so.



My friend jokes that her bridle costs more than her mustang gelding did.

Answer 6

I hope Kicking Bear answers this because he's the mustang expert.



I don't think in most cases these BLM horses have much, if any, human contact. I'd recommend it for people who are very horse savvy, not those (as in one case I know of) who knew nothing about horses and adopted a 7 year old completely wild mustang for their young daughter. As you can imagine, it didn't work out well.

Answer 7

They are completely wild and never been touched or worked with by a human. They may be cheap and easy to come by but they make up for the cheapness in the amount of time, patience, and knowledge that is required to work with these great horses. Once the time and training is put in they are absolutely amazing horses.

I had some friends that adopted the wild mustangs and I would help them train them.... some of the hardest to train due to no human contact. They view you as a predator and gaining their trust and building their confidence in you is very hard but once you win them over their heart will be forever yours.

Answer 8

I checked into it several years ago. The cost at the time was $250 and they wanted you to have a six foot fence with wood boards on top and a trailer without a ramp type tail gate. They also wanted you to have a three sided shelter for them.



That is all I remember off the top of my head.



You do need to know that mustang temperament tends to be a little different than most other horse breeds but let someone who deals with mustangs more than me explain.

Answer 9

I haven't, but a friend of mine did. It was a total disaster! The horse would charge as soon as he walked into the paddock. My friend would have to high tail it to the fence and jump over. He ended up drugging the horse and taking it back or to an auction or something.



The cost isn't all that high, but the horse market is really low right now. I'd suggest you get a horse that has been handled or even trained. In KY, you can get a fairly nice horse for about $500....or less. I've got a nice mare I'd sell for $1500 and another one who isn't trained yet for $1000. If interested let me know. [e-mail]

Answer 10

I had one they are nice. You won't be able to train it yourself. You won't even be able to touch it. They are as wild as a deer! BUT you can send it in to a good old fashion cowboy for 30 days and when you get it back you can ride it just like any other horse and there really nice! Plus your doing a real good thing buying one cause you will be saving a life and you will love your new little friend. They all cost the same price it's loke 100.00 at least it was when I got one and you will be required to have 6 or 8 ft. fence or tall corral to keep it in for starters, other wise they jump out and run away like a deer. Not sure if you keep him in a stall. and you can never get rid of it. (you actually can you just have to get special permission) . Good Luck hope you get one! Oh and The nice big lookin once are always the first ones to go. they are kind of small otherwise, they also have burrows and donkeys.

Answer 11

YESYESYES.



We got a yearling from BLM. He had very little human handling and spooked at a lot but we where up to it. We got him for like $400 I think. We though he was going to grow to an average size horse but really he only grew to be 13.0 hands, haha. He is a wonderful horse. Really you just have to be lucky to get a horse from the BLM. Make sure you are up to it though too. You can get a broke horse from BLM too.

Answer 12

They are WILD horses. I've never adopted one, but live in a city that has an adoption/auction every year. I worked a feed/tack store and saw too many people that adopted one that really shouldn't have. They would come in completely clueless asking what they should do with this horse. They are NOT for first-time horse owners. Please, please, please think this through completely before getting one on impulse.

Answer 13

Wild Horse & Burro Login How To Adopt BLM Facility Photos Online Gallery Home



How to Adopt using this site



The next Internet adoption will begin Jan 16, 2008. Photos of available animals will be posted by Jan 11. Click on any individual photo, or on the Category Heading above each group of photos, to view more pictures and information about each animal. Please read the Adoption Requirements before submitting an electronic application. You must create an account (user name and password) to submit an application.



APPLICATIONS will be accepted starting Jan 14 and will close at Noon Central Time on Jan 28. BIDDING will open on Jan 16, and will close at Noon Central time on Jan 30. Corral sketches and maps MUST be faxed or mailed to the address below in order to complete the electronic form. Applications describing facilities that do not meet all the requirements cannot be approved. Applications stating "See Previous Application," or those with incomplete information, cannot be approved. Read more below regarding the electronic application form and the Internet adoption process.



Applications:



Bidders can submit the on-line application for the next adoption from Jan 14-28, 2008. Click on Log In to create a new account (user name and password) or to access your existing account. If you have already created an application, click on My Info to view your previous application. You can update the information if necessary, and then resubmit it for the current on-line adoption.



Please read the Requirements Page before you submit an application to determine if your facility meets all BLM requirements. Include exact information about the length, width, and height of your corral and shelter, and the type of materials used in the construction. Applications cannot be approved until all construction or modifications are completed. Corrals must be 4 and 1/2 feet high for burros; 5 feet high for yearlings and trained horses; and 6 feet high for untrained horses 2 years and older.



Log In or Create your Account



After you have submitted your electronic application, if you have any trouble with the corral sketch, please download and complete the Corral Sketch/Map PDF file below. This page can be faxed to [phone]. Please write INTERNET across the top of your faxed sketch page or on the cover sheet, and include the name of the applicant on the form. You may also scan it and send it as a jpg attachment to the email address on the home page - [e-mail]



Sketch pages may also be mailed to:



Bureau of Land Management

ATTN: Wild Horse and Burro Program

7450 Boston Blvd

Springfield, VA 22153



Download Corral Sketch PDF. Fax - [phone]

Opens in a new window



Applications must be received no later than Noon Central Time on Jan 28 to be guaranteed consideration for a Bidder ID number. Applications CANNOT and be approved until the sketch/map page is received. Electronic applications received by Jan 28 can be approved until the close of bidding on Jan 30, if all supplemental information is received before the end of bidding.



After your application is received, you will be called and the information will be reviewed by a Wild Horse and Burro Specialist. If you have submitted an application and have not received a phone call within 48 hours, please call the Internet office at [phone]. You may also email the staff at: [e-mail]



Deposits:



A $125 deposit will be required to receive a Bidder ID number. Deposits can be checks (made out to DOI - BLM) mailed to the address above, or Credit Card numbers given over the telephone. All Deposits will be held until the end of bidding. If you are not a successful high bidder, the check will be returned and credit card information will be destroyed without being processed. If you are a successful high bidder, the deposit will be processed after the close of bidding, and $125 will be deducted from your total bid when you pick up the animal. The deposit is used to ship and hold the animal until it is picked up. If an adopter does not pick up an animal, the deposit may not be refunded.



Bidding:



After your application has been approved, your bidding program will be activated. To place a bid, click on any photo in the Gallery. The individual page for that animal will appear with bidding options next to the description, and the current bid information. You can increase the current bid from $5 to $250 with each new bid. You may raise your own bid at any time. After a new bid is placed, the current high bid amount will appear in real time, along with the high bidder's identification number. Users with dial up connections will have a slower response time than users with high speed connections. You may have to hit the Refresh button to see the latest bidding information, especially at the end of bidding. Bidding information may not refresh automatically.



The minimum opening bid is $125 for each horse, $250 for mare-foal pairs. High bid and bidder ID will be displayed in real time throughout the bidding. You may bid on the number of animals you are approved to adopt, plus one. For example, if you are approved to adopt two animals, you may be highest bidder on NO MORE than 3 animals at one time. When bidding closes, the final (highest) bid and Bidder ID will appear on the Gallery page for each animal. Hit the Refresh button on your computer once the bidding has ended, to be sure that you are viewing the final bids. Bidding will be closed at Noon Central Time on the last day, and is monitored by a countdown clock on the site.



Once the Bidding has closed, successful bidders are encouraged to call or email the Internet office to confirm that they will accept or decline each of their highest bids. All highest bidders will be contacted by BLM staff via phone or email within 48 hours of the close of bidding. If you are highest bidder on more animals then you are approved for, you will be required to limit your choices. Any animals that are declined will be offered to the next highest bidder.



Pick Up:



Animals must be picked up by the highest bidders at the holding facility where they are located, or may be shipped east to a designated Holding Facility, or in some cases, to a satellite adoption location. You do NOT have to accept the animal if the animal does not meet your expectations. There is no penalty for not taking the animal. If you decline the animal in person you may request a credit towards a future adoption, or adopt a different horse at that event.



Pick up dates are by appointment at Holding Facilities, and at satellite adoptions before the auction begins. If your animal is shipped to a satellite adoption, you must pick it up before the adoption begins. Take your animal's neck tag number and bid amount information with you to the pick up location. A printed copy of your electronic application will be sent to the facility before you arrive. You will need to put an original signature on the application. Adopters must sign for their animals in person unless other arrangements are made in advance.



a. You will need to prove your identity - Any valid photo identification card, such as a driver's license.



b. You will then view your animals and make your final decision.



c. You will sign the Private Maintenance and Care Agreement. The Private Maintenance and Care Agreement is the contract between you and the Government committing you to - take care of the animal, and not sell it, trade it, or give it away, until you have obtained Title to the animal. Title Applications will automatically be sent to you one year after adoption.



d. You will have to sign a paper copy of your application.



e. You will have to remit the balance due of your total bid, using cash, check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard.



Animals will be loaded in your trailer by BLM employees or contract crews. Trailers must be a stock type with a door that swings side to side - NOT one that has a drop down ramp. If the equipment being used to transport the animal is not adequate, the BLM will not allow you to adopt the animal. Two-horse trailers are NOT allowed unless they are STOCK TYPE. Divided two-horse trailers with the partition removed WILL NOT be allowed. Slant load trailer, with partitions that come out or can be folded flat against the interior wall, may be considered. The top of the back door must be within 12 inches from the roof of the trailer. Animals will ride loose inside the trailer, and must have adequate space to turn around. Contact the Internet adoption office with any questions about trailer requirements.



For more information, please refer to the Terms of Adoption and Prohibited Acts pages on this site.







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