The Northern Nevada Correctional Center hosted a wild horse adoption event on Saturday, June 21.
The event was put on by the Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Corrections – Silver State Industries.
Sixteen saddle-started wild horses and one saddle-trained burro were adopted out after being trained by inmates for four months, according to a release from the BLM.
Successful bidders paid a combined total of $67,700 for the animals. With bids starting at $150, the event’s saddle-trained wild horse averaged $3,982 each with a top bid of $8,000 for “Big Baby,” a 4-year-old, 15-hand Sorrel from the Antelope Valley herd management area located in Eureka County.
The successful bidders officially adopted their horses. After properly caring for their adopted animals for one year, the adopters are eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government.
"It was great to see the wonderful turn-out and support from the public for this event, said Ruth Thompson, BLM Nevada, Wild Horse and Burro Lead. “To see what the inmates and the animals accomplished ensures that the horses are going to good homes where they will be able to use their training for any job they are asked to do.”
