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Post by hhf40 on Feb 20, 2011 10:57:06 GMT -5
I notice a few of you are talking about the Kiger adoption in 2011, and whether or not it will even occur. I recently completed a brief study from facts that I took from the BLM website, and I use that study as I talk to folks and discuss the mustangs. Anyway, here is what I found:
In 2010 the BLM spent $65,000,000 managing the wild horses and burros.
$37,000,000 went to care for the 40,600 horses that are in short term and long term care which is $911/horse. Of these 40,600 horses, 13,600 are in short term holding pens, and 27,000 are on Midwestern pastures.
They spent $7,700,000 gathering 10,640 horses, or $725/horse.
They spent $6,800,000 to get 2960 horses adopted, or $3000/horse.
Because the BLM gathered 10,640 horses and adopted out only 2960, they had to put 7680 more into short/long term care. At a cost of more than $900/year/horse, it will cost an additional $7,000,000/year for their care.
There are still 38,000 wild horses and burros running free in our 10 most western states.
Adoptions are down by @ 50% compared to 3-4 years ago.
I trust you will agree some of these numbers are surprising.
Bill
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Post by stlkigers on Feb 20, 2011 13:19:09 GMT -5
Bill:
Unfortunately NONE of these numbers are surprising to me......And I wish the numbers weren't so.....it definitely reinforces the need for the BLM to change their overall management plan.
Angela
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Post by mystickiger on Feb 20, 2011 21:22:05 GMT -5
Unfortunately Bill, I have to agree with Angela. Wish they weren't true but they since they are, it doesn't take much to realize that adoption is not the overall answer. Please don't get me wrong; I don't wish to see adoption end. Adoption should always be a small portion of the solution but the time has come to question the dollar value. Is the money spent marketing to such a small market justified? Not as far as I'm concerned. The BLM's Wild Horse and Burrow department is going to have to dig in and address these numbers not spend major money on bandaides like a booth at the WEG. JMHO
Having exhibited and trail ridden with you Bill, I know that you are sincere in your love of BLM horses. Just curious how do you use these figures to promote Kigers overall, wild and domestic?
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Post by hhf40 on Feb 21, 2011 8:34:11 GMT -5
I do not disagree with either of you ladies. But I do believe the BLM has a very difficult job managing the mustangs, and I don't have any better solutions to offer.
Karen, I enjoy my Kigers but promote all mustangs, and use the study to emphasize the importance of adopting. I also am a concerned tax payer. Had all 10,640 horses gathered in 2010 been adopted instead of only 2960, the cost/head to get them adopted would be $639/horse instead of $3000. More important, had they all been adopted, we would not be spending another $7,000,000 this year caring for them.
So my goal is to simply get more and more folks to adopt the mustangs, and I do that by demonstrating and telling people how good many of these mustangs are to handle and ride. That is why I was so pleased to see that four young kids will be riding them at the demo at Equine Affaire in April. How better to show the world how useful these horses really are?
Bill
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Post by Brandy Deck on Feb 21, 2011 9:13:05 GMT -5
I had never had any association with mustangs until I purchsed my first in December 2009. I am learning little by little about the BLM mustang adoption process. It is alarming to hear the numbers. I certainly have no clue what the solution is, but hope improvement can be made. I purchased my little Kiger filly from her original adopter. I can tell you that I am now sold on the mustang...especially the Kiger. This little horse is the hands down best I have ever worked with. I love her more each time I work with her. We have just started breaking her to ride. She has been a dream. She is beautiful inside and out. She is so smart and sane and willing. I am hoping that I have all my ducks in a row when it is time for the next Kiger adoption. I definately plan to get another. I would also like to get an appy colored mustang from the Warm Springs area. I don't think a lot of people around here are very familiar with Mustangs. I am going to start using my little mare to get some interest going amongst my friends.
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Post by stlkigers on Feb 21, 2011 22:23:29 GMT -5
Bill:
I have to say that the BLM does have an amazingly hard job....just trying to put in any plan of action into effect with all the red tape that a government entails is horrific. I do think that comprehensive wild horse and burro plans need to take into effect the entire ecosystem, and all the animals on it....I do think we need to utilize some sort of fertility control....what I do not know. I am EXTREMELY worried about the genetic viability of all HMA"s if the BLM continues to reduce and zero out HMA's as they are currently doing.
Though my BLM gelding Kiger Cordero is the 5th Kiger I have owned, my family is dedicated to promoting mustangs. My daughter was an Extreme Mustang Makeover youth trainer that placed 4th in her competition. She brought her mustang mare to compete in the Extreme Cowboy Race that went on in conjunction with the EMM, and for the past 4 years ever since I have owned my Kiger gelding we have worked at the BLM adoption in Missouri by bringing our mustangs, giving demos, and letting our horses enthrall potential adopters with all a mustang can be with training. We also do quite well in local shows with our mustangs, and my daughter rides in ACTHA rides (and I plan to take Cordero out on these as well). We (along with the Midwest Mustang and Burro Saddle Club) work tirelessly on this. So yes, I agree that getting these TRAINED horses out in the general public makes quite an impression, especially when you have well behaved, kid ridden horses....So I salute you for doing what you do Bill.....bit by bit we are breaking down the stereotype that mustangs are all short and big headed worthless lugs.
I salute the people who get their Kigers, or mustangs out and in the public eye...Doesn't matter if it's Cindy and Bravo taking the ACTHA circuit by storm, us out on the trail and in the show ring, or all the Kigers and the Pacific Wild Horse Club promoting in Albany....Get your horses out there, make sure they are well prepared to make a positive impression, and have FUN!
I also think that should the BLM WHB program TOTALLY tank, it is important for Kiger owners (or other mustang HMA's) to preserve what the wild has bred....
Angela
PS: We leave Friday for our Missouri BLM adoption....Bringing 2 of our 4 mustangs...anyone nearby Columbia Missouri stop in and say hi! We'll have EMM trainers talking, gentling and vaulting demos, competitive trail mock classes, and Extreme Cowboy race participants (all with mustangs of course) doing their thing Friday and Saturday! Here's hoping we have a successful adoption!
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Post by elikiger on Feb 22, 2011 15:59:33 GMT -5
There are a select few in general that even have interest in any mustangs, Kigers much less as they know less about them. My intent is to get mine out and in the show circut and show off what she can do.
It's unfortunate that the horse market in general is over populated and so many are looking for replacement homes. No sales, just you want it, take it. Sad. Who's to say were any of these poor souls will end up? My filly Kiger and all, was in a feed lot!
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Post by stlkigers on Feb 24, 2011 22:29:37 GMT -5
elikiger:
I agree...sad place the horse market is in...And bravo to you for intending to get your girl out there in the show circuit or wherever she shines best....I think the best prevention against a horse ending up in a feed lot is good training! Not totally sure but I think it helps!
Angela
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