OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Imagine giving a second chance to a wild mustang or burro—an animal that once roamed the wide-open range and now needs a forever home. If you’ve got space in your pasture and your heart, this weekend’s adoption event might just bring you a lifelong companion.

The Bureau of Land Management is hosting a wild mustang and burro adoption event at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The event kicked off Thursday, May 15, with 100 wild mustangs and 30 burros available for adoption—including 35 yearling horses, a rare offering at these types of events, said Hunter Paffrath of the BLM.

Group of chestnut mustangs with white markings in a pen at Ocala wild horse adoption event.
Chestnut mustang eating hay in a pen at Southeastern Livestock Pavilion during Ocala adoption event.
Wild burros gathered and eating hay behind metal fencing at Ocala adoption event.
Group of wild burros eating hay behind metal gate at Ocala adoption event.
Gray wild burros in holding pen at Ocala adoption event hosted by the Bureau of Land Management.
Chestnut mustang with white blaze in pen at Ocala adoption event hosted by the Bureau of Land Management
Wild horse and burro adoption event at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala. Courtesy: Krystle Bonet/93.7 K-Country.

The agency’s mission is to find good homes for wild mustangs and burros removed from overpopulated western public rangelands.

“The yearlings are very popular because they’re easier to train and you can build that connection with them from an early age,” said Paffrath. “I would consider everyone in central Florida looking to come out extremely lucky. A lot of people don’t get to experience an event with such high-quality animals as this, and the variety and selection of animals that we have to choose from at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.”

Mustangs can make exceptional companions for those with patience and proper training support, Paffrath added. One even competed at the highest level in barrel racing.

“The No. 3 animal at the National Finals Rodeo out in Las Vegas in the barrel racing competition was a mustang,” he said. “These animals can compete on the stage with any domestic bloodlines. As far as ranch stock goes, general trail riding, English riding, whatever it is you want to do with them, these animals can do it, if you’re willing to put the time into them.”

Emma Keys, who has trained wild mustangs for the past six or seven years, adopted a 2-year-old horse at Thursday’s event. One of the mustangs immediately caught her eye.

“It’s so challenging (training the mustangs), every horse is different, some are a little bit harder than others, but it’s so rewarding and seeing the transformation from when you pick them up and the end result,” said Keys, who lives in Lake County and drives a Mustang.

Gary Kuhlmann traveled from Georgia, leaving at 5 a.m. to make it to the event. But it was his wife who had her heart set on adopting two burros.

“This is more my wife’s cup of tea, I build barns and pastures for my wife,” said Kuhlmann. “We’re here to get a new companion and new pet. We have goats, chickens, dogs and cats, but we don’t have horses or burros. We’re trying to get two burros who are 3 or 4-years-old.”

Details:

  • Location: Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL
  • Dates & Times:
    • Friday, May 16: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 17: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Over 100 wild mustangs and burros available
  • Includes rare yearling mustangs, ideal for training
  • Adoption fees start at $125
  • Open to the public—no appointment needed

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