HORSES IN NEVADA
Introduction to Horses in Nevada
| According to the journals of some early explorers, horses were first found in Nevada in the 1820’s. Some ranchers in Nevada turned loose many breeds, for example the Hambletonians, Morgan's, Percherons, Shires and Irish stallions and mares, to set standards and patterns in the wild herds that wandered close by. When the cavalry, miners or ranchers needed horses, lots were trapped and trained to serve these people. |  |
In the state of Nevada you will find most of the nation’s wild horses and burros. It was once estimated that there are over 26,000 wild horses and 1,300 burros in Nevada and the numbers have kept on growing since. Most of these wild horse and burros are found in public lands. To be more precise, they are found in approximately 100 BLM Herd Management Areas and in the Virginia Range managed by the state. One important area established is the Nevada Wild Horse Range which is a 394,000 acre range managed in order not to disturb the wild horses and subsequently preserve the area’s thriving natural ecological balance.
Most excess wild horses and burros in Nevada are gathered using a helicopter or possibly by “water trapping” or “bait trapping”. When helicopters are used, the BLM has inspectors on the ground and in a monitor helicopter to assure a safe and humane capturing procedure. These captured horses are brought to the National Wild Horse and Burro Center in Palomino Valley where they are prepared for adoption. Each horse receives an identification number, vaccinations and their age is determined so they can be classified for adoption. Once this processing is complete, they either go to the prison training program at the Warm Springs Correctional Facility to be gentled and saddle started or directly to the adopters from varying wild horse groups who are approved adoption agents.
