Horse populations can live in the wild, or they may be feral horses who were once domesticated and allowed to roam free. The Bureau of Land Management, a government agency, sometimes holds auctions or sales for wild horses and Mustang horse for sale. A conservancy manages some wild breeds, such as the Nokota horse.
This bay mustang mare is beautiful. She stands 14.2 inches tall and is a solid tank. She is able to carry you anywhere, on trails and all day. She is comfortable with cattle and can be roped off at will.
Anyone can ride her in the arena, and anyone who knows how to lead a horse can ride her almost anywhere. She has also been trail riding extensively and has been to many different places and states. She was accompanied by her 10 year-old sister when she went trail riding last time.
You have many opportunities to teach her new skills as she is just five years old. She would be a great arena horse, and would also do well on poles or barrels. She’s very confident and can run like the wind. Call now to make an appointment or visit her. This is a rare opportunity that you shouldn’t miss.
Mustang Horse for Sale
We are a confident, intelligent, and level-headed horse. She can do obstacles and trail rides. She was trained in cow work, reining, and cow work. In 2016 she was shown in reining and cow work.
Canter/walk/trot, canter, side passes and backs up This is a great pet for a farrier or vet. Keeps current on farrier, coggins and shots. Easy to keep, can get along with other horses when riding and in the pasture.
He has always been barefoot, and has never required shoes. Easy to catch, easy to load, stands, bathes and blankets, as well as fly mask. Likes attention and enjoys being around people. Lays down. Fine. Emma Minteer trained Emma. You can ride with or without other horses. When fresh, bucks but disappears when worked.
Best Mustang Horses on Sale
The mustangs that you’ll find in our classified ads were once wild and free. Their heritage is as rich and varied as the nation itself. The mustang, also known as American feral horses or BLM horses, is a strong, resilient animal that has survived despite its courage and savvy.
In an effort to stop Native Americans from stealing horses from their settlements, the Spanish sent 10,000 horses over to the Rio Grande to establish the mustang’s “foothold” in the country. In 1900, there were more than 2 million horses free.
However, ranchers fought back and only 17,000 of them remained in 1970. You can find horses for sale in our classified ads. Be one of the American West’s symbols by purchasing one of these mustangs.
Mustang (american) for sale
The descendants of domesticated horses, particularly those brought over by Spanish colonial settlers to the USA, are called Mustangs. They are wild horses, not domesticated horses. Because of their fascinating history, Mustangs are a symbol for the Old West.
They still roam free in herds across open ranges in the west and smaller bands in other parts of the USA. The Bureau of Land Management manages the herds and hosts events that allow people to adopt or purchase a Mustang.
There are many ways to purchase one of these charismatic, beautiful horses, including from private vendors.
How to Adopt a Mustang
Are you thinking of adopting a mustang horse? Here are some things you should know. What prospective owners should know about how to care for and train off-range mustangs.
It is hard to mistake Paco for an American Mustang with his thick, wavy hair, arched neck and striking Buckskin markings. Paco and Bob Cohen, his 2-year-old owner, have been a fixture on Florida’s Gulf Coast trails since they first came off the range. Cohen says Paco’s long journey from wild horse to trail mount was difficult.
Paco was originally trained as a reining horse by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Kiger Herd Management area in Southeast Oregon.
He eventually made his way to Florida where he received some horsemanship training and was then purchased by Cohen through a trainer who is experienced with working with Mustangs. Cohen now shows Paco, now 15, every chance he has.
Learning and adaptability
Mustangs are now available for purchase or adoption. They have been praised for being adaptable partners in many disciplines such as trail riding, eventing, dressage, reining, and dressage. The horses are also known for being difficult to train and hard to handle.
Sarah Ralston (VMD, PhD), Dipl. Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, Dipl., is a Rutgers University professor of Animal Science in New Brunswick. She claims that her research has shown the best qualities of horses.
Ralston: “Oh, they are great little horses.”
Ralston states that Mustangs exhibit a variety of personalities, including dominant and docile, much like domestic horses. Mustangs, like domestic horses have a wide range of conformation types.
Ralston states that, “For example,” the Colorado BLM was choosing for stocky horses for a time. “In Oregon they were selecting for a more refined, Thoroughbred appearance.” This means that they adopted animals they believed would be popular in the marketplace.
Ralston said that horses raised in domestic environments and wild ones have many similarities.
Ralston recently studied the differences in 2-year-old Mustangs versus domestic Draft-crosses. Ralston found that wild horses were easier to train than domestic ones, and they are more adaptable and learnable.
Ralston states that there was no difference in the horses’ trainability – they were as good from the beginning. “But Mustangs are quick learners, they notice everything.
Ralston said that the Mustangs learnt from their handlers as well as from domestic horses living in the same barns or adjacent pastures.
These differences were evident when wild horses had to deal with daily challenges. One experiment involved a handler walking a domestic horse along a long hallway, while a student stood on the stool at the opposite end.
Ralston recalls, “When the domestic horses came towards the person sitting on the stool they were startled.” “They sniffed her all over, even her face.”
Wild horses were not so afraid, however.
Ralston states that the Mustang saw the student standing there from the beginning. “When they reached the student, the Mustangs smelled the stool.”
Another experiment was to ask all horses to move from the barn’s concrete toes onto the dirt as they were moving to their paddocks. To investigate the difference in footing, each domestic horse dropped its head. The Mustangs carefully stepped onto the surface to check if the ground was stable and safe.
Ralston states that Mustangs are sensitive to differences. “But they quickly learn in the wild that sticking their nose out can lead to them getting bitten by something. So they test the waters with their feet.”
Ralston claims that the Mustangs faced challenges in experiment after experiment just like they would in the wild. They also formed strong bonds with their domestic handlers and herdmates.
Although a Mustang may be an excellent trainer, it is important to keep his roots in your heart and care for him. Ralston’s experience with Mustangs has shown that they are unpredictable and should not be assumed that they will respond to any situation in the same way as domestic horses.
Ralston states, “So I wouldn’t recommend a Mustang for a novice.”
Make sure you are prepared
This is something Jenny Rodder-Sloan fully grasps. Since 2007, she has been training Mustangs ever since her first wild horse was adopted by the BLM. She has rehomed Mustangs purchased or adopted by inexperienced or ill-prepared owners over the years.
Rodder-Sloan states that prospective owners are often attracted by Mustang’s low adoption fees or price. She also believes most Mustangs are easy to keep. She says that this is just the easy part.
Rodder-Sloan states that Mustangs 3 years old and under sell for $125. They don’t require the best feed, can eat coastal grass and have great feet.
So the commitment you need to make isn’t just financial but also emotional. People don’t realize how hard work is required so they leave the Mustangs in a field and they are almost wild.
Rodder-Sloan states that trusting the horse is key to doing the right work. Owners must then be ready to invest in their horse’s training.
Rodder-Sloan states that people must take responsibility for their horse’s care every day, whether it is five or six days per week.
She says that even the most committed owner can need help. A Mustang trainer’s assistance is invaluable, especially for new owners.
Rodder-Sloan states that it is important to invest in the right trainer. “The right trainer is someone who has experience working with Mustangs and has worked with Mustang owners.”
Rodder-Sloan states that it takes approximately a year to bond and train a Mustang to be able to perform in one or more of the disciplines.
In her experience, the result is a skilled and wise partner.
Rodder-Sloan explains that my Mustang trail horse might refuse to cross into standing water because it is too deep or the ground is not firm enough. She is also the first to notice if there are any dangers down the road. “I learned to not second-guess her.”
Elisa Wallace, a high-profile competitor in the three-day event, attributes a part of her success to her trio of Mustangs. Wallace got involved in Mustang ownership after a friend encouraged her to take part in the 2012 Extreme Mustang Makeover contest. She adopted “Fledge”, and she began training him for the event.
Wallace recalls, “I had never trained Mustangs before and I was hooked,”
Wallace acquired Hwin, a grey Mustang mare, as well as Rune, an English chestnut gelding. All three horses have proven themselves on the eventing circuit–particularly Rune, who Wallace says has gone head-to-head in competition with Warmbloods and won.
Wallace states that these horses are not range rats. They are solid citizens.”
Mustang Purchase vs. Adoption
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which was passed in 1971, has allowed wild Mustangs and burros to be placed under the BLM’s care. This allows qualified people to adopt any excess animals.
As of March 1, 2015 there were 47,329 wild horses in BLM Herd management areas in 10 Western states. According to the BLM website, 46,016 horses are also found in off-range pastures and corrals.
The Burns Amendment made wild horses and burros eligible for sale in December 2004. It directed the BLM that animals older than 10 years or who have been adopted at least three times were sold “without limitation”.
The BLM has sold over 5,800 horses and burros since 2005. The agency reported that it adopted 2,631 animals in 2015 and sold 262.
Expectations and Requirements
There are other requirements that potential owners must fulfill before they acquire a Mustang.
Prices for BLM adult Mustangs over 10 years of age start at $125 Adoptions can be made at special BLM adoption events or at agency adoption facilities. Each adoption requires that potential owners fill out applications and go through a BLM review.
The adoption agreement must be signed by the owner. It states that the owner will not sell the horse for slaughter, bucking stock, nor for use in commercial products. BLM will keep wild horses adopted for one year.
During that time, the agency can inspect the Mustang’s home to verify that the owner is giving the horse the minimum care required. This includes providing food (grain and milk) and water (free-choice access as needed to maintain healthy weight.
The owner must provide routine veterinary care including vaccinations and routine farrier care. Owners are prohibited from moving an animal out of country during the first year.
Prospective owners may purchase wild horses aged 11 and older directly from the BLM. The buyers must also submit an application to the BLM for review. A bill of sale is provided with the horses and they immediately become their property.
You must be at least 18 years old to adopt or buy a Mustang.
Most Mustangs available for adoption don’t have any training. If you are looking for a gentle Mustang (one that can accept a halter and stand still in cross-ties and pick up his feet), then Family Horses Inc. or the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s trainer incentive program (TIP), is your best option.
TIP trainers are paid by the BLM to give basic training to Mustangs. Mustangs that have received more training are sold at higher prices via various programs and Mustang Makeover events.
The Bureau of Land Management rules specify the vehicles that can be used to transport a Mustang from one location to another and what shelters he will need once he arrives. These are:
Stock or horse trailers with a rear swing gate or covered top. The dividers can be removed or folded back.
- Three-horse slant trailers
- No drop ramps, no one-horse trailers
- Two-horse trailers are available on a case by case basis
- New owners of a home must take care of these things:
- A basic corral that measures at least 400 square feet per animal.
Fencing made from pipe panels, mesh or wood posts with planks of at least 1.5 inches thickness. Electric fencing and barbed wire are prohibited.
- 5-foot high fencing is recommended for yearlings and gentle horses.
- 6-foot fencing is recommended for ungentled horses older than 2 years.
- Visit blm.gov/whb to find out more about the BLM Wild Horse or Burro adoption and sales program.
Take-Home Message
According to our trainers, most Mustangs can overcome their reputation for being unpredictable wild animals and difficult to manage under the right circumstances. Robin Rivello, president of the U.S.
Wild Horse and Burro Association, said that some Mustangs, just like all horses aren’t realistically suited for domestic life.
Rivello believes that if owners and Mustangs match up well, adoption or outright purchase may be the best option for wild horses’ long-term survival. Rivello believes that experienced owners and skilled trainers can promote responsible Mustang ownership.