Families adopt wild mustangs

David Magers and Wendy Wilsey-Magers of Alfalfa and Gib and Beth Carter of Sisters adopted mustangs. photo provided

The High Desert Museum's resident wild mustangs "Steens" and "Beaty" have found homes with two local families.

The mustangs were adopted on Sunday, September 28, as part of the Bureau of Land Management's Adopt-A-Wild Horse or Burro Program.

Gib and Beth Carter of Sisters adopted the two-year-old filly "Beaty."

The two-year-old gelding "Steens" was adopted by Wendy Wilsey-Magers and David Magers of Alfalfa.

With few natural predators, mustang herds reproduce rapidly. Today, the BLM and the United States Forest Service manage wild horses and burros on public lands to protect both the environment and the horses' health. Through the BLM's Adopt-a-Wild Horse or Burro Program excess wild horses and burros are gathered and offered for adoption to the public.

To broaden the knowledge and understanding of the adoption program, The High Desert Museum partnered with the BLM to create Mustang Corral. The exhibit debuted on June 14 and will serve as the annual summer home for either wild mustangs or burros.

The mustangs recieved some initial training from expert trainers over the summer.

It is estimated that nearly 30,000 museum visitors had the opportunity to get up close to these icons of the untamed West while also learning about the adoption program.