GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Nearly 100 wild mustangs removed from the Little Book Cliffs last year are preparing for a fresh start. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has scheduled an adoption event for June 2025, aiming to place these horses in suitable homes.

Adoption Effort Gears Up for Summer

Last September, the BLM rounded up 98 mustangs from the Little Book Cliffs, a rugged area near Grand Junction known for its free-roaming wild horse population. Now, as summer approaches, efforts to find them permanent homes are in full swing.

Horses adopted through the program undergo a trial period before ownership is officially transferred. “Adopted horses will be those that they think they can get adopted to a home, and then that person has a year to prove that they are an adequate adopter and then they get the title to the horse,” explained Shelle deVergie, Director of Grand Valley Horse Rescue.

For horses unlikely to be adopted, the BLM offers a different route. “For those horses that they do not think they can get, they will put them as a sales authority horse, and they will just sell them right up,” deVergie added.

Training Challenges for Older Horses

While young horses adapt well to human interaction, older mustangs face steeper challenges. The process of gentling—training a wild horse to be handled and ridden—becomes significantly more difficult with age.

“We are concerned about some very senior horses that came off the Little Book Cliffs,” deVergie noted. “They’re in their 20s, late teens, and they’re not going to adapt to domestic life well.”

The BLM responded to concerns over these older horses with a statement emphasizing their commitment to humane management. “We appreciate the input of people who care about the horses. The BLM does not euthanize horses due to age or their training status. Our goal is to manage healthy wild horses on healthy public rangelands.”

Why These Mustangs Matter

Little Book Cliff Mustangs are prized for their intelligence, versatility, and strong physical traits.

• They excel in various disciplines, from trail riding to show competitions.
• Their sturdy build and resilience make them well-suited for families and professional riders alike.
• Many are known for their gentle temperament, making them good candidates for youth programs and beginner riders.

Despite the challenges, deVergie remains optimistic. “They make incredibly smart, intelligent, very sound horses for the show ring or for kids or on the trail, so usually there’s not a huge problem getting them adopted out.”

Looking Ahead

With the adoption event approaching, advocates hope to secure good futures for all the mustangs involved. The program’s success will depend on finding responsible adopters willing to put in the time and effort needed to help these horses transition to domestic life.

For those interested in learning more about the adoption process or the Grand Valley Horse Rescue, additional resources are available through their official channels.