BLM auction of wild horses leads to sale of just 8

DELTA, Utah — Federal officials put more than 300 horses up for adoption over the weekend but only eight found new homes.

The Bureau of Land Management frequently holds wild horse auctions around the West as a way to manage the herds.

The 362 horses up for adoption on Saturday were from the Sulphur Herd that roams parts of the Great Basin in southwestern Utah.

Genetic tests show the horses are linked to those used by Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago.

Horses were auctioned for $125 each with a second "buddy" horse available for $25.

By the end of Saturday's auction, the eight horses had brought in just $725.

"People just did not have the interest this year," said Lisa Reid, a BLM spokeswoman. "I've never seen it (turnout) this low."

The market for wild horses has slowed with the souring economy. But the price has dropped too. A few years ago, horses were being auctioned for up $3,500 each, said Gus Warr, head of BLM's wild horse operations in Utah.

The horses up for auction Saturday were rounded up in November as wildlife officials try to keep the Sulphur Herd between 165 and 250 horses.

The horses live on a 142,000-acre management area that stretches across parts of Iron, Beaver and Millard counties. The area was established as part of a 1971 law aimed at protecting and preserving wild horses and burrows.

Capturing some from the Sulphur Herd and putting them up for adoption helps to balance the availability of forage and water for the wild herd, said Chad Hunter, a wild horse specialist with BLM.

"It also helps to maintain their Spanish characteristics and maintain a genetically viable herd," he said.

Utah has 23 wild horse herds but only the Sulphur Herd has the genetic characteristics of the Spanish horses. Herds on Montana and Oregon also have those traits, Hunter said.

Before horses are adopted, the BLM checks to make sure buyers have proper trailer transportation and the ability to care for the animals. Officials conduct a follow-up check on the horses a year after they're adopted.

Santaquin saddle-maker Glenn Pearmain bought one of the horses Saturday. He plans to train it for riding.

"I've had 54 mustangs before," he said. "I just love their qualities and they are easy to take care of."

Kathleen Hayden came from San Diego to pick up mares she plans on mating with Spanish stallions she got earlier. She's hoping to re-establish a herd in Southern California.

Legislation to create a horse management area near a California state park is still pending, she said.

The BLM will hold onto the horses that didn't sell at Saturday's auction. They'll try to sell some on the Internet. Others will be taken to BLM holding facilities for later auctions.