The Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Corrections– Silver State Industries will host a wild horse and burro adoption event at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Up to 17 saddle-started wild horses and two wild burros trained by the inmates are available for adoption.
“The BLM gathers wild horses and burros when necessary to protect their health and welfare while addressing deteriorating range conditions and limited resources,” said Ruth Thompson, BLM Nevada Wild Horse and Burro State Lead. “Our partnership with the Nevada Department of Corrections provides these animals with valuable training and helps prepare them for successful adoption. By working together to place trained wild horses and burros into private care, we can improve outcomes for these animals while reducing long-term holding costs and supporting the responsible management of wild horse and burro populations.”
The available horses and burros range in age from 3 to 8 years old. The once wild horses and burros are from herd management areas in California, Nevada, Wyoming, and Oregon and have received at 120 days or more of training as part of this inmate training program.
A catalog including event details, animal profiles, and adoption requirements is available for interested adopters.
The event is located at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center at 1721 Snyder Avenue, Carson City, Nevada. Public viewing begins at 9 a.m. and a competitive-bid adoption event follows at 10 a.m. The starting bid for all animals is $150.
Potential adopters are asked to enter the Northern Nevada Correctional Center from the north side and look for signs and event personnel at the south end of the facility. Attendees will be directed to the horse corrals and parking. The public is prohibited to use cell phones, cameras, recording devices or any form of tobacco while on the premises unless previously approved.
The Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 charges the BLM with managing wild horses and burros on public lands. Federal law prohibits the commercial slaughter of these animals, and the BLM does not sell or send wild horses or burros to slaughter. The bureau enforces adoption and sale requirements, strengthened the bill of sale language, and works closely with law enforcement whenever credible information suggests a violation may have occurred.
This commitment to humane care is central to the BLM’s mission and guides every action to ensure wild horses and burros remain responsibly managed for generations to come. Learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program and how qualified adopters can bring home an American living legend
