The Bureau of Land Management will be hosting a two-day wild horse and burro event in Poteau, Oklahoma on April 11-12 at the Phil Gardenhire Memorial rodeo arena. The event will feature 100 wild horses and burros available for adoption, with adoptions taking place on both days. These animals were once roaming free on public lands in the west, and the adoption program is essential for maintaining healthy herds and protecting rangeland resources.
Since 1973, the BLM has successfully placed over 280,000 wild horses and burros in approved homes across the country. To qualify for adoption, applicants must be at least 18 years old with no record of animal abuse. Qualified homes must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with access to food, water, and shelter. Specific corral fence heights are required for adult horses, yearlings, and burros, and animals must be loaded in covered, stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.
BLM staff will be onsite to assist with the adoption application process, and applications will be approved onsite. The event will take place at the Phil Gardenhire Memorial rodeo arena, located south of Poteau on Highway 271. For more information, individuals can call 866-468-7826 or visit www.blm.gov.
