Wild horse adoption event coming to Temecula

Jacob Preal Writer Intern

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a Wild Horse and Burro Adoption event May 21. Participants will be able to preview the mustangs and burros up for adoption at 8 a.m. and then those interested in adopting can compete in an oral bid at 10 a.m.

Bids for each horse start at $125. There will be approximately eight untamed horses along with two additional horses gentled by trainers of the Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) available for adoption.

The BLM hosts National Wild Horse and Burro Adoption events all across the country in order to reduce excessive amounts of horses in overpopulated Herd Management Areas. Some of the animals in these areas are suffering from dwindling amounts of vegetation, water and other survival resources due to the abundance of horses. The BLM rounds up these extra horses and then hosts regional Mustang and burro adoption events in order to manage their populations.

While the eight untamed horses will require training, participants can also adopt two horses that have already been trained through the TIP. These mustangs have already been gentled and can still be purchased for the low base price of $125 before bidding occurs, according to local TIP trainer Debbie Rineer. If looking to adopt the other eight horses, the Mustang Heritage Foundation contracts trainers to help with saddle training and other services for untamed horses.

According to the Bureau of Land Management’s official website, adopters must be at least 18 years of age and have no convictions of inhumane treatment of animals or have violated the Wild Free-Roaming Horses & Burros Act. Adopters also must provide both a facility with access to feed, water and shelter to house the horse, and a stock or horse trailer with a rear swinging gate and covered top.

Qualifying adopters must also mail an Adoption Application to their local BLM office. Through this adoption method, the Mustang or burro is the property of the federal government until the adopter is issued a Certificate of Title. After one year of providing humane care and treatment for the animal, the BLM will send the adopter a Title Eligibility Letter.

The BLM will mail the Certificate of Title upon receiving a signed Title Eligibility Letter, along with the signature of a qualified person, like a veterinarian or BLM representative, to verify the humane treatment of the horse. This will legitimize private ownership of the horse.

For potential adopters, this can be an opportunity to add an engaging and challenging experience to their lives. They can take part in American heritage by joining the ranks of families that have collectively taken in more than 230,000 wild horses and burros since 1971 through this BLM program. These horses have thrived in private care, going on to become excellent pleasure, show or work horses.

“Don’t miss your opportunity to own an American legend,” said Debbie Rineer. “Adopt an American Mustang today through the Mustang Heritage Foundation!”

Those interested in adopting a horse in Temecula or surrounding areas can schedule an appointment to preview the horses by contacting Debbie and Randy Rineer at (949) 337-5685 or [email protected]. The event will be held on their property, at 34215 De Portola Road Temecula, CA 92592. Adopters will need to have submitted an Adoption Application to their local BLM office.