By JULIA BARATTA

Michigan Correspondent

CASSOPOLIS, Mich. — The American West is often symbolized by cowboys, a desert landscape, and wild horses. Herds of the horses and burros are still living in these states, and while the independent animals may be comfortable there, unfortunately, the region is beginning to show wear as vegetation is destroyed and the landscape changes.

This is why the federal government gave the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the responsibility of caring for these herds and the land they live on, under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The BLM, along with the USDA’s Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, monitor the size of the herds, the quality and quantity of the vegetation, and the availability of water sources on these public lands.

After evaluating the collected data, the agencies determine whether the herds need to be downsized because of depletion of natural resources or the failing health of a group of animals. They have determined that the herds double every four years – and this is where the public can step in and make a difference by adopting one or more of the relocated horses or burros.

BLM’s Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption is where the humanely captured animals are given a second chance. The equines are transported to adoption centers around the nation, where people are invited to view them with the possibility of taking them to their own farms.

The adoption events take place at private farms, ranches, and equine training facilities throughout the year. The basic setup includes freestanding pens containing 4-6 horses or burros each, with a clear view of each animal’s reactions to humans, other animals, and distractions.

Minimum adoption requirements are that the new owner needs to be at least 18 years old and have no convictions of inhumane treatment of animals or violations of the 1971 federal act. The equine must be provided with a facility that has access to food, water, and shelter, with the building requirements varying by state.

The pasture area is critical, as the spacing is based upon whether the animal is trained or not.

At the May adoption event in Cassopolis, Mich., at Red Horse Ranch, Todd and Lisa Bowmar of Ohio were picking up their adopted horse that they purchased online. The gelding already had a name, Sully, and came from Wyoming. He was halter-broke and used to being petted.

They chose to pick up Sully at Cassopolis, as it was the closest location where an event was taking place. Lisa Bowmar explained that owning a mustang, “a part of the West,” had been on her “bucket list” for a while.

“I am excited, as he has let me pet him already,” she said. “I wanted the challenge of training a mustang. I am hoping to pleasure-ride him.”

Sully was trained at one of the correctional facilities that are working cooperatively with the BLM. The Wyoming State Honor Farm is one, established in 1931 with the wild horse “gentling” program starting in 1988, making it the oldest horse program in the United States.

This program is considered a “prison privilege” within a minimum security-level facility. When accepted for the program, an inmate begins with the feeding crew where he learns by observing the animals and training sessions with more experienced inmates.

There are numerous levels in the training program for the inmate and the horse to work through, with the final step including the riding of the animal. The program has been deemed a success through the corrections department and the BLM, with the animals selling well.

Sully was also going to have the opportunity to be worked by Greg Reynolds of Kentucky, a familiar face at the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition who will be making another appearance at the Lexington, Ky., contest June 20-22. He works as a trainer at a few of the Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption events, where he demonstrates a workout with a mustang while gaining the animal’s trust.

Reynolds brought his competition horse to Cassopolis to show what can be done with the wild mustangs.

“I am passionate about mustangs and sharing them with people,” he explained. “These animals are an important part of our nation’s history and are very trainable, providing a rewarding experience of restoring God’s creation where the horse and the human work together.”

The Bowmars weren’t the only ones adopting for the first time. Aaron and Brandi Bontrager of Michigan were as well, though this wasn’t their first mustang ownership experience. Their newest acquisition also came from Wyoming and is a yearling. They are hoping to involve their children in the training process.

“Our children will see the whole process from saving the mustang to the training,” Brandi Bontrager said. “We are glad to be saving an animal that needed to be saved.”

Many of the horses and all of the burros were adopted at the May event in Cassopolis this year. More information on fulfilling your own dream of adopting a “living legend of the American West” can be found at www.blm.gov