For folks who are in the area (Four Corners?) and willing/able to adopt a mustang from the Carson National Forest, the following information might be helpful. This was sent to me by our Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area manager, Bob Ball, based at the Dolores Public Lands Office.
Carson National Forest
208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571
575-758-6200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kathy DeLucas, (575) 758-6303
Wild horses available for adoption
Taos, N.M., April 23, 2009—For people who want to own a living piece of the wild west,
the Jicarilla Ranger District has 40 wild mustangs available for adoption. Horses can be seen at the
Browning Ranch at 333 Browning Parkway in Farmington on Friday, May 1 from 12:00 to 5:00 pm.
An adoption day will be held on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 am to 4 pm. Horses are also available
for viewing by appointment. There are three package deals that include a mare and foal, with a fourth
mare expecting to foal any day.
A 2004 environmental assessment determined that the wild horse territory could support only
between 50 to 105 horses depending on environmental conditions. The current population estimate is
428 horses.
For the first time in Forest Service history, Forest Service wild horse experts, in collaboration
with the U.S. Animal Humane Association have used a birth control injection on four of the captured
mares and released them back into the wild, in an effort to control the herd.
The Carson National Forest adopted out all 32 horses in the first gathering last fall. Mt.
Taylor Mustangs is the gathering contractor and is using a low-stress baiting method.
The horses have been “gentled” with well-known horse whisperers so that the animals have no bad
encounters with human beings. Bob Browning, a well-known Farmington-based horse trainer, has been
volunteering his time to work with the horses and get them used to people.
Horses are available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualified individuals can
select a horse and complete an adoption application. The Forest Service will review the adoption
materials with potential adopters and verify adopters meet requirements, including facilities needed to
care for a horse. Upon application approval, adopters will be able to take their horse home. The adoption
fee for each wild horse is $125.
In order to adopt a horse, prospective owners must be at least 18 years of age. Parents or
guardians may adopt a wild horse and allow younger family members to care for the animal. Potential
adopters must have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or violations of the Wild
Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, demonstrate that there are facilities for adequate food and
water; provide proof that humane care does exist for the number of horses requested; and indicate that
the property is in the United States.
To see pictures of the horses and for more information on adoption requirements and adoption
applications please check the Carson National Forest Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson or call the
Jicarilla Ranger District office on US 64 in Bloomfield at 505-632-2956 extension 207 or email
Anthony Madrid at amadrid@fs.fed.us.
USFS
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
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