How training programs within the BLM structure would benifit the adopters, the horses and the taxpayers.
The Northern Nevada Correctional Facility is one of the most successful Wild Horse gentling and adoption programs in the country. The NNCC Wild Horse program will survive through FY2026 with reduced funding and reliance from one-time funding through the state of Nevada. The facility will be maintained, but no long term protection, despite the proven success in reduction of costs for long term holding facilities, saving wild horses lives and improving the chances for those inmates that train the horses a higher success rate when leaving the prison system.
NNCC trains roughly 60-80 wild horses per year. Besides the successful adoption events that the prison holds, Mustangs from this program participate in training for US Border Patrol, National Park Service, Law Enforcement training mounts, Military Mounts and Nevada Fish and Wildlife Agencies however, the primary focus remains on training horses for public adoption.
Mustangs normally receive around 120 days of gentle saddle training at NNCC. Based on temperament, conformation and suitability, certain horses are chosen for agency placement rather than public adoption. These Mustangs display calm dispositions and the ability to adapt to structured tasks.
HOW IT WORKS
Incarcerated participants work ubder professional supervision to gentle and saddle start Wild Horses. The program is intentionally limited in size ensuring horses receive individual handling and are prepared for adoption within months. Not years.
The State of Nevada budgets roughly 1.5 Million annually for NNCC’s prison ranch operations which include the Wild Horse program. Even with reduction in the federal budget for the Wild Horse and Burro program this program continues because it produces results.
Many of the trained horses at NNCC sell for up to thousands of dollars. In June of 2025 16 trained saddle horses sold for a total of $67,700.00, that's an average of $4000 a horse. You can find adoption catalogs from past adoptions HERE.
The Canon City Prison training program recently closed. Originally designed as a training and adoption program, Canon City gradually shifted into a larger scale holding facility as roundups increased. In 2022 more than 140 horses died from an outbreak of Equine Influenza, exposing the risks of overcrowded facilities under budget and short staffed. Shortly after, the BLM chose not to renew the contract with this facility. Canon City failed because it stopped training and started warehousing horses.
The bottom line is we do not have a Wild Horse problem, we have a management priority crisis. If BLM had been concerned about budget and costs, implementing real training programs may have saved Mustangs in the long run.
Wild Horses deserve more than confinement , Taxpayers deserve smarter solutions. NNCC shows that it is possible when we choose training over warehousing.
THE NEXT NNCC EVENT
The next saddle trained wild horse adoption and competitive bid auction hosted by the BLM in partnership with the NNCC program will be held February 21st, 2026. Public viewing typically starts the morning before the event, Bidding generally starts at $150.00. All Wild Horses and Burros offered have received at least 120 days of training through the inmate program. The adopters must wait 1 year before title. This is a closed facility that opens to the public only for adoption events.
Training and adoption programs are cost effective
Event preparation cost a few thousand dollars per horse, for less than long term holding costs
Lifetime cost savings for each adopted horse is roughly $22,000- to $29,000
At Wild Horses Lives Matter, we are a transparent and visionary 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Wild Horses on the range and during roundups and the overall welfare and compliance once placed into holding facilities and through the adoption process. Our team is committed to ensuring that Wild Horses and Burros are treated humanely. We understand these magnificent creatures' challenges and are responsive to their needs, actively working to implement effective solutions through our initiatives. With your support, we can continue our mission to safeguard the lives of wild horses and advocate for their rights. Together, we can make a real difference!
At Wild Horses Lives Matter, we are a transparent and visionary 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Wild Horses on the range and during roundups and the overall welfare and compliance once placed into holding facilities and through the adoption process. Our team is committed to ensuring that Wild Horses and Burros are treated humanely. We understand these magnificent creatures' challenges and are responsive to their needs, actively working to implement effective solutions through our initiatives. With your support, we can continue our mission to safeguard the lives of wild horses and advocate for their rights. Together, we can make a real difference!
