Flipping the preference to Wild Horses instead of cattle- buy a base property
We see posts all the time about people coming together to buy land so Wild Horses can have a safe place to call home. But how many of these dreams ever actually come to life? For those who share this vision let’s talk about what it really takes. What location would work best? How much land is enough land? 5 acres? 40 acres? 500 acres?
**Here’s something important to remember ..rescuing horses and placing them on land that doesn’t belong to you is not a long-term solution. Landowners can pass away, sell, or simply change their minds. When that happens, the horses you saved could end up homeless again.
I have posted about this before but wanted to revisit the idea.
What Is a Base Property?
A base property adds long-term value and creates a sustainable solution — it helps transition livestock off the land and allows wild horses to return to the range where they belong.
Wild horses can be placed on public lands not currently identified for their use by acquiring deeded acreage associated with one or more grazing allotments (known as “base property”) and transferring that grazing preference to horses.
Ideally, the property should control at least three acres of public land for every private acre and not overlap any areas designated for wild horses (or burros) in 1971. Always ensure the grazing preference conveys with the property.
This process is often called “flipping the preference” .. changing the use from livestock to horses.
A Few Key Points
You need deeded land (private property) with a valid BLM or USFS grazing allotment attached to it.
The base property should control at least 3 acres of public land for every 1 private acre.
The property must not overlap existing Herd Management Areas (HMAs) or areas already designated for wild horses.
The grazing preference (the legal right to use the public land) must convey with the sale of the property.
If these pieces are in place, a buyer or group could essentially create a wild horse refuge that’s legally tied to federal grazing land … protecting both the horses and the range long-term
Look for real estate agents who specialize in working ranches …some of these properties already qualify as base properties. Watch for terms like permit, AUMs, and BLM lease in the property descriptions.
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