For the first time since 2000, a wild-horse auction has been set at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is gearing up to offer a number of wild horses, which were gathered from the Spring Creek Basin herd area northeast of Dove Creek, for public adoption Saturday. The fairgrounds are located on U.S. Highway 160 about three miles east of Cortez.

Thirty horses, including studs, mares and yearlings, were rounded up last weekend from Disappointment Valley. BLM officials unloaded the horses at the county facility Tuesday.

Overall, 51 horses were removed from the Spring Creek herd last weekend. Fran Ackley, wild horse and burro lead for the Colorado BLM, said 21 animals have already been sent to the horse preparation center in Cañon City.

Mustangs will be available by silent auction to the highest bidder, and most animals on the market will be 5 years old and younger.

Jamie Sellar-Baker, acting BLM field manager for the Dolores office, said wild horse auctions are somewhat different from regular animal adoptions.

“Buyers will be screened to make sure they meet all criteria before taking on an animal,” she said.

Some requirements for potential buyers include having a sturdy corral facility of at least 400 square feet per animal. Fencing must be at least 6 feet tall for adult horses and 5 feet high for yearlings.

For more information on the auction, contact Bob Ball at (970) 882-6847, or phone Lona Kossnar at (719) 269-8539. Additional information about adopting a wild horse is also available by accessing www.doi.gov/horse.

Posted: 08|25|05 at 4:58 pm. Filed under: US News.