Wild Horse Adoption Event Raises $80,700 at Northern Nevada Facility

Adoption Event Sees Wild Horses Find New Homes Through Unique Program

In an event that brought together enthusiasts from across the nation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Nevada Department of Corrections – Silver State Industries hosted a wild horse adoption at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center on June 27, 2026. The gathering attracted 35 bidders eager to adopt animals trained by inmates.

During the event, a total of 15 wild horses and two burros, originating from herd management areas in Nevada and Oregon, were adopted. These animals, trained over four months, were prepared for adoption by inmates. Ruth Thompson, BLM Nevada’s Wild Horse and Burro Lead, expressed her satisfaction with the event, stating, “The weather was nice and the turn-out by the public was great for this event. To see what the inmates and the animals accomplished ensures that the horses and burro are going to good homes where they will be able to use their training for any job they are asked to do.”

The auction saw bidders spend a total of $80,700, with the average price for a saddle-trained horse reaching $4,247. The highest bid was $9,500 for “Jaro,” a Buckskin gelding from the Grante Range herd in Nevada. In addition, two burros, “Shaggy” and “Cletus,” were adopted for $800 and $1,100, respectively. Photos of the animals and the event can be viewed on the BLM Nevada Flickr page at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBMYuN.

Once adopted, the new owners must care for their animals for a year before gaining official ownership from the Federal government. This initiative is part of the BLM’s strategy to manage the wild horse and burro populations on public lands, where resources can be limited due to overpopulation and the absence of natural predators.

Since 1971, the BLM has successfully placed over 313,000 wild horses and burros into private care, with many transitioning into roles as pleasure, show, work, or companion animals.

The upcoming saddle-trained wild horse adoption is scheduled for October 24, 2026, at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. For more details on the program and future events, visit https://on.doi.gov/2jE05uy. Information on adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro is available on the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program webpage at https://www.blm.gov/whb.