Fostering & Adoption Event
Grand Junction, Colorado, November 7 & 8, 2025
Colorado Wild Horse Foster-to-Adopt Program
Mesa County Fairgrounds
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in partnership with Colorado’s wild-horse advocacy groups — Sand Wash Advocate Team (SWAT), Wild Horse Warriors for Sand Wash Basin, Piceance Mustangs, and Friends of the Mustangs — is proud to announce a new Foster-to-Adopt Training Program featuring 30 Colorado wild horses from the Little Book Cliffs, Sand Wash Basin, and Piceance–East Douglas herd management areas.
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Event Overview
When: Viewing on Friday, November 7; foster assignment and pickup on Saturday, November 8
Where: Mesa County Fairgrounds, Grand Junction, CO
Horses Available:
• 8 weanlings
• 12 yearlings
• 4 two-year-olds
• 6 three-year-olds
This event welcomes trainers with wild-horse experience — from youth handlers working with the weanlings and yearlings to seasoned professionals developing the older horses. Horses will be assigned by blind draw — no bidding and no cost to trainers (standard BLM adoption application required).
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Training Phase
Trainers will work with their horses for about 4½ months, focusing on:
• Gentling and halter training
• Picking up feet and standing for the farrier
• Loading calmly into a trailer
• (Optional) Beginning under-saddle work for the 3-year-olds
Trainers receive vouchers for hay, farrier, and veterinary expenses — keeping out-of-pocket costs minimal.
This program is funded by SWAT, Wild Horse Warriors, Piceance Mustangs, Friends of the Mustangs, and their supporters.
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Final Adoption Showcase
All horses return to Grand Junction for the Adoption Showcase, March 27–28, 2026.
• Viewing – Friday, March 27
• Bidding & Adoption – Saturday, March 28
Trainers present their horses’ progress and may bid to keep their own horse. Trainers keep the full sale amount (minus the $125 BLM adoption fee).
In past programs, bids have reached into the thousands — a rewarding outcome for both horse and trainer.
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A Shared Mission
Together we’re creating brighter futures — one Mustang at a time.
If you’d like to become a foster trainer, please complete the BLM Adoption Application here and return to the BLM.
https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/4710-010.pdf
For more information:
BLM Wild Horse & Burro Contact: 719-269-8500