Adopt A Horse Or Burro

Wild Burros and Horses From U.S. Government

OKEECHOBEE, FL. -- The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management will hold a special wild horse and burro adoption at the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center in Okeechobee, Florida, on February 2, 2008.  For only $125, you can take home your own young mustang or burro.  

Additionally, by adopting one horse or burro, you may now take home a companion animal for only $25.  Approximately 70 horses and 10 burros will be available in Okeechobee.

The wild horse and burro adoption will be from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Remaining animals will be available for adoption Sunday, February 3, 2008, from 8 A.M. until noon.  Additionally, animals can be viewed by the public between 1 P.M. and 5 P.M. on Friday, February 1, 2008.  

Call 1-866-4MUSTANGS for information and applications for the Okeechobee adoption.  Potential adopters are asked to call early to be pre-approved and avoid waiting in line.  You can also visit http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/adoption to get requirement information.  

Once gentled, wild horses in the southeastern United States are used for dressage, trail riding, western events, and other disciplines.  They are noted for their endurance, sure-footedness and intelligence, making them great for work or recreation.  Burros are great companion animals and are oftentimes used for predator control.  

While the adoption process is simple and straightforward, anyone considering adoption of a wild horse or burro should remember that the animals are wild and require gentling and training. Since the Adopt-A-Wild Horse & Burro Program began in 1973, over 214,000 animals have been adopted nationwide.  Of those, nearly 5,000 have found adoptive homes in Florida. 

Bring your family out the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center to view the animals and learn more about the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program.