ADOPT A MUSTANG
Everything you need to know about adopting a wild mustang or burro.
You Can Adopt Wild Horses & Burros
Mustang and burro adoption is a crucial part of the Mustang Heritage Foundation mission of getting the thousands of horses in short-term holding pens into safe, loving forever homes.
As with caring for any animal, adopting a wild horse requires a commitment of time, money, and space. In addition, working with a wild horse can be vastly different from working with domesticated horses. Use the information on this page to determine if adoption is right for you, and to find your next right step in the adoption process.
At the Mustang Heritage Foundation, we’re here to give you the information, resources, and community you need to make the mustang and burro adoption process as smooth as possible.
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Looking for a gentled mustang or burro?
Our newly updated Mustang Marketplace! is coming soon!
How Mustang Adoption Works
Of course, each step in the process has nuances and details you should understand before you begin.
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Explore each phase of the mustang adoption process. >
*For the sake of simplicity, we’ll be referring to mustang (wild horse) adoption.
Wild burros are also available in most instances.
"Our first Mustang is the Famous Tater, owned by Katie Moore (Ketterhagen). She stole our hearts from day one—I would never had thought that the little bay 3-year-old that arrived on a cold day in January would have changed our lives forever.
Once Tater finished her first makeover, we were on the mustang train and will never be off. We have met some amazing horses and horse people through these events.
We are proud to be part of the mustang family.."
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~ Claudia Ketterhagen
REQUIREMENTS TO ADOPT A WILD MUSTANG
A thorough application process helps ensure adopted wild horses and burros go to good homes Each agency has its own list of facility and applicant requirements for wild horse or burro adoption or purchase.
U.S. Forest Service Requirements:
Applicant must be at least 18 years old with no convictions of inhumane Treatment of animals or violation of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses & Burros Act.
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Adopted animal must remain in the United States until titled. (Eligibility occurs on its 1 year anniversary.)
The applicant for wild horse adoption must have a facility that is:
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Minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, i.e. 20’ X 20’
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Made of: pipe panels, wood post, planks (min. 1.5” thick), horse fence (V Mesh or 2” X 4” square – woven wire not welded wire)
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5’ high for yearling or gentled horse of any age
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6’ high for an un-gentled horse two years or older
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Shelter that meets the minimum requirements chart for wild horses and burros based on the state or region in which the animal resides, unless otherwise stipulated by the authorized officer
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Trailer requirements – step-up gate, dividers if hauling more than one horse
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Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/modoc/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fseprd602442
Bureau of Land Management Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old with no convictions of inhumane treatment of animals or violation of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses & Burros Act.
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Applicant must provide a facility with access to feed, water, and shelter. NOTE: Facility refers to enclosed area such as corral, barn, stall, etc. Approval is not based on pasture fence height, but the height of the enclosed area.
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Applicant must have a facility that meets:
• Minimum of 400 sq. feet of corral space per animal, i.e. 20’ x 20’ (untrained animals)
• Minimum of 144 sq. feet per animal, 12’ x 12’ (trained animals that are exercised daily)
• Suitable materials: pipe panels, wood post, planks (min. 1.5” thick), horse fence (V Mesh
or 2” x 4” square)
• 5’ High for yearling or gentled horse of any age
• 6’ High for an ungentled horse two years or older
• 4.5’ High for a burro of any age
• Shelter that meets the minimum requirements chart for wild horses and burros based on the
state or region in which the animal resides, unless otherwise stipulated by the authorized officer
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Applicant must provide a stock or horse trailer with a rear swing gate and covered top. Provided the dividers are removed or folded back, slant trailers are acceptable.
Drop-ramps are acceptable if there is an additional back gate to the trailer. Two-horse trailers approved on a case-by-case basis. No one-horse trailers are approved.
The BLM may conduct a site visit to ensure proper facilities are in place to provide good care to a wild horse or burro.
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For a full list of requirements, download the Adoption Requirements fact sheet and browse the Adoption and Sale Application found on the BLM website.
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Source: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/adoptions-and-sales/adoption-program
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* Requirements as of October 2024. Visit agency websites for the most up-to-date requirement listing.
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WHERE TO ADOPT AN AMERICAN MUSTANG OR BURRO
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act only applies to animals on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. 
Therefore, the two most common avenues for adopting a wild mustang or burro are through the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service. Limited wild horses are available for adoption through the National Park Service.
To learn more about the management of wild mustangs and burros visit our education page.
U.S. Forest Service
Most well-known for the Devil’s Garden Wild Horses, the U.S. Forest Service manages horses from Wild Horse Territories (WHT) and Joint Management Areas (JMA) from across the United States.
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The process for adoption through the U.S. Forest Service has evolved over time. Currently, adoptions and sales are virtual (remote) through an online selection process with horses then being delivered to varying satellite locations for pick-up
Helpful Links from the U.S. Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
In-Person Adoption or Auction Events
Several off-site events are hosted by the BLM across the United States for potential adopters to see available adoptable mustangs and burros in person before they either bid or buy. (Off-site refers to events not hosted at a BLM facility.)
At these events, there is no waiting period. You will purchase or adopt the wild horse and then bring it home typically the same day.
Online Corral
Periodic adoption/sale opportunities are available on the Bureau of Land Management Online Corral.
If you adopt through the Online Corral, you will need to have your application completed ahead of time. In addition, you will want to confirm the pick-up location as that is where you will drive to pick-up your adopted mustang or burro on the dates specified by the BLM. ​
Wild Horse & Burro Online Corral >
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Off-Range Corrals
A network of off-range corral adoption and purchase centers are available through the BLM to facilitate the adoption and sale of wild horses and burros into private care.
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Each off-range corral varies in its operating hours and how it conducts adoptions. Some corrals are located within a correctional facility and only conduct periodic public adoption events, while others are open for walk-up visitation during open hours and some are appointment-only.
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Public Off-Range Pastures
Contracted with the BLM are a handful of large privately-owned pastures that provide a natural free-roaming environment for hundreds of wild horses gathered from overpopulated public rangelands.
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Each facility provides educational opportunities and offers wild horses for adoption or sale on site. The adoptions and purchases are managed by the BLM and facilitated through each facility. That means you will need to contact the off-range pastures individually for adoption information.
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Helpful Links from the Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Within the borders of Theodore Roosevelt National Park there is a herd of wild horses considered a demonstration herd. To maintain herd numbers, horses are sold through internet auctions by the General Services Administration (GSA) at https://gsaauctions.gov once or twice a year, as needed.​
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The availability of Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses for sale is announced on the park website.
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For additional adoption information, visit North Dakota Badlands Horse.
APPLY TO ADOPT A WILD HORSE OR BURRO
Each agency has its own adoption application. That means you will need to complete the adoption process specific to the agency you will work with for your wild horse adoption or purchase.
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There are some similarities to the process of adoption, including if and when you become the titled owner of your wild horse or burro.
Adoption Period
Adoption means the wild horse or burro belongs to the federal government until you are issued a Certificate of Title. That means they cannot be sold during the adoption period, typically one year after the adoption if certain requirements are met. Depending on the agency and requirements, reassignment may be an option during the adoption period.
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When you adopt a wild mustang, you sign a private care and maintenance agreement, agreeing to take on full responsibility of providing humane care for the mustang.
Titling & Ownership
After one year, you will receive an application for title. As the adopter, it is your responsibility to review and meet all requirements for titling, including any inspection forms and other documentation required by the agency.
Once all required forms and documentation are received, the agency will review and issue title if all requirements have been met.
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After you receive the Certificate of Title, the wild horse or burro becomes your private property. At that point, you have sale authority for your mustang.
Purchase vs. Adoption
Wild horses and burros more than 10 years old – as well as younger animals that have been offered for adoption at least three times – are eligible for sale. Purchasing a wild horse or burro means that ownership of the animal passes immediately from the federal government to the buyer.
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Each agency may have separate requirements for purchasing sale horses versus adoption.
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The BLM provides a Bill of Sale for sale-eligible (sale authority) animals rather than a title. Learn more about the BLM Sales Program here.
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The U.S. Forest Service considers this “Sales with Limitations” and requires a Request to Purchase Form to be completed. Learn more about the U.S. Forest Service sales program here.
"When I feel disconnected from everyone and everything I remind myself of the trust Blaze gave to me that first touch. I remind myself I am not alone.
Blaze has a purpose here on our farm—Samson’s Strength Sustainable Veterans Project—where Veterans and their families come to learn about the Mustangs and about themselves.
I am forever grateful Blaze chose me."
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~ David J Flounders Sr CPT (ret) US Army
BRING YOUR WILD HORSE OR BURRO HOME
Pick-up Process
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When you adopt a wild horse through the BLM Online Corral or through the U.S. Forest Service online process, you will likely enter a waiting period as your wild horse or burro is transported to the pick-up location. The waiting period could be as short as a few weeks and as long as a few months, depending on the dates set by the agency. Use that time to prepare your farm or facility to welcome your new mustang or burro home.
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On the other hand, if you adopt from an in-person event or auction, you’ll load your mustang and bring him or her home from the event. The agency will have you back your trailer in and they will take care of loading the horse or burro for you. Typically, you are given the option to have them put a halter on before loading. If you choose that route, be sure to bring your halter with you as they aren’t provided by the agency.
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Reminder: Review the requirements, including allowable trailers, before picking up your adopted mustang or burro. If you have a long drive, plan for how you will provide food and water during the drive.
Get Support: Join the Mustang Community
At the Mustang Heritage Foundation, we’ve curated a community of passionate and helpful mustang champions. We have hear over and over how helpful the mustang community is at helping one another, asking questions, and providing support.
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Become a Mustang Heritage Foundation Member >
Caring for a Wild Horse or Burro
Wild horses require far more skill, patience, savvy, and realistic containment abilities then what is often assumed by first-time adopters.
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In addition, it takes time for them to adjust, both emotionally and physically. Remember, you may be only their second home, and they need time to get acclimated. For the best long-term partnership with your wild horse or burro, be willing to give them what they need.
U.S. Forest Service Mustang Care Guide >
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