FLOWOOD, Mississippi—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a wild horse placement event January 23-25, 2025, at the Chicopee Woods Ag Center in Gainesville, Georgia. On offer: a limited number of excess animals gathered from western rangelands.

“The BLM has placed over 300,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971,” said Southeastern States Acting District Manager Shayne Banks. “This is an opportunity to provide a good home to one of America’s Living Legends.”

Adoption qualifications

Around 140 animals, including online corral pick-ups and adoptable animals, are expected.

The event will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 23-24 and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on January 25.  BLM staff will be onsite to provide more information and assist with the adoption application process.

To qualify to adopt a wild horse:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old with no record of animal abuse.
• Homes must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with access to food, water and shelter.

• Corral fence must meet height requirements:
  • Adult horses: 6 feet
  • Yearlings: 5 feet
  • Burros: 4.5 feet
• Trailers must be stock type, covered, with swing gates and sturdy walls/floors.

Incentive program

The BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program allows adopters to receive $1,000 when they receive title to their animals after successfully caring for the horse for one year. To learn more about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro program, visit https://www.blm.gov/whb.

**NOTE: It is unlikely that burros will be offered at this event. Burros can experience serious health issues, including death, from transport and/or relocation in the winter months. This is due to extreme temperature and climatic changes.

About the BLM

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

For other recent news about BLM activities, click here.