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BLM has 'adopted' a wild program |
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By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition |
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April 11, 2002 -- Adopting a piece of America's western heritage is the message the Bureau of Land Management is trying to convey with their wild horse and burro adoption program. The program began in 1971 with the passage of legislation allowing the BLM to care for these animals. Christine Tincher, public affairs specialist with the BLM's wild horse and burro adoption program, explained that the animals are now considered a natural resource. "The wild horses and burros will always be part of our public lands and one of the resources that we (BLM) care for," she said. "Due to overpopulation of some of the lands where these herds live, we need another way to care for them; that is where our adoption program comes in." According to Tincher the goal of the program is to educate the public about the wild horses and burros and find good homes for the animals. "These animals have special characteristics that you won't find in other horses," she stated. "In addition to being a part of our western heritage they are known for their endurance. Our burros are excellent guard animals and the horses can do anything a domestic horse can do once they are 'gentled' down." The common term for these horses is mustang but Tincher explained that they are actually feral horses. "These herds have been on the public lands for a long time," she said. "Through the passage of time and events the horses escaped or were released and created their own herds." The BLM hosted an adoption at the Bell County Expo Center April 5-6. According to Tincher, to adopt a horse or burro from the BLM one must be over 18, never have been convicted of animal cruelty and they have to have the proper facility to house the wild horse or burro. "We do encourage that those interested in adopting a wild horse or burro learn as much as they can about these animals and our program," stated Tincher. "This is not an experience for everyone so we want to make sure people understand the needs of these wild animals." The first step in the adoption process is to fill out an application form. "For the first year each adoptive family is considered a caretaker," said Tincher. "Initially we take applicants at their word that they have the appropriate facilities to house the animals, but after the animal is placed in the home we conduct a compliance check to make sure the animal is being properly cared for." The BLM will repossess an animal that is not being cared for properly. "Compliance checks are conducted by trained wranglers that had experience with horses before coming into the program," explained Tincher. "They are very knowledgeable about horses and how to care for them. If they find a problem we do have law enforcement to back us up." Prior to being brought up for adoption each animal is health certified and must have a negative Coggins test. "Part of our process is to take the animals to a holding facility and have them completely checked out before they can be adopted," said Tincher. "We have several of these facilities across the western U.S. and we have traveling adoptions once a month." For more information about the BLM wild horse and burro adoption program visit www.nm.blm.gov or contact Christine Tincher at 405-790-1009. |
