Wild horses, burros available for adoption - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

From U.S. Bureau of Land Management:

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a wild horse and burro adoption in Lubbock, Texas, July 12-14, 2012.  The three-day event at the Panhandle Plains Fairgrounds (Livestock Pavilion) will feature over 50 spectacular animals.  These are adult and yearling horses and burros that once roamed free on public lands in the West.  The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range in order to maintain healthy herds and to protect other rangeland resources.  The adoption program is essential for achieving these important management goals.

Adoption Schedule.

Adoption begins with a competitive bid Thursday July 12, at 2 p.m.  First-come-first-served adoptions follow until 6 p.m., then again Friday, July 13, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Adoption Qualifications.

Application approval is required and can be done on site.  To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18 years old with no record of animal abuse.  Adopters must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with free access to food, water and shelter.  A six-foot corral fence is required for adult horses and five feet for yearlings.  All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.  BLM staff will be on hand to assist with the short application process, answer any questions and load horses.

Adoption Fees.

The standard adoption fee is $125, as set by law.  Bidding will start at that amount.

$500 Adoption Incentive.

BLM pays a one-time $500 care-and-feeding allowance to adopters of horses at least four years old.  The allowance is paid in full after one year when adopters receive official ownership title for their horse(s).  All standard adoption conditions and fees apply.  A limited number of eligible horses will be available.  Younger horses, burros and trained animals are not eligible for this incentive.