Learning from the Corolla Wild Horse Adoption Program

Most horse enthusiasts are familiar with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) wild horse and burro adoption program, which has been operational for decades. However, there are other, lesser-known wild horse adoption programs that offer valuable insights. A recent study examined the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (CWHF) Adoption Program, comparing its goals and outcomes with those of theBLM.

Understanding the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Adoption Program

Mary Koncel, MFA, MS, an adjunct instructor at the Center for Animals and PublicPolicyat Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted a study on the CWHF Adoption Program. This private program adopts out a small number of Spanish colonialMustangs, which reside on islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks, each year.

Koncel noted that both the CWHF andBLMadoption programs attract adopters for similar reasons, such as preserving a piece of culture or connecting with a wild horse. However, there are key differences between the two programs.

Adopter Experiences and Program Success

Koncel interviewed 17 CWHF adopters with a total of 22 horses to learn more. She found that all but one of the horses were still with the original adopter. Participants were generally positive about their experiences with their adopted horses and the CWHF, with the majority expressing willingness to adopt another horse through the program.

Koncel attributed the successful adoptions to several factors, including the rigorous adoption process, pre-adoption gentling and training of horses, and support from CWHF.

Implications for the BLM's Adoption Program

Koncel believes these findings could have important implications for theBLM's adoption program and could help increase the adoption rate. She suggested theBLM:

• Provide support at all stages of the adoption process and beyond;
• Encourage the creation of interest communities; and
• Offer more gentled and trained wild horses.

Koncel mentioned thatBLMpartnerships with prisons and the Mustang Heritage Foundation have been successful in placing gentled wild horses, but more partnerships are needed.

The study, "Hoofbeats from the Currituck Outer Banks: A Study of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Adoption Program," was published inJournal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.

Originally posted by The Horse.