08/23/2026
The BLM Sales authority horses are back in the news however; this is nothing new. The sales authority started via the Burns Amendment in 2004, allowing sales of wild horses over 10 years old or those that had been unsuccessfully offered for adoption three times. The price for sales went to $25 in 2013. The acceleration of the program was authorized at the end of the Biden administration. In 2021, the BLM made significant changes allowing for the sale of up to 25 wild horses or burros at a time without special approval. It then was amended to what it is currently 4 at a time every six months. There is also a bulk sale contract that needs to be signed off and the property needs to be inspected.
Sale authority horses going to unscrupulous buyers is nothing new also. In 2012 David Phillipps actually uncovered Colorado kill buyer Tom Davis purchased over 1700 wild horses from the BLM between 2008-2012. The current person is Mr. Jones who purchased 500 since 2025.
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-195) still prevents BLM and US Forest service’s horses from being sent to slaughter. The law has not changed. It's the people who purchase the wild horses who send them to slaughter. People have been taken advantage of loop holes since the beginning and some government officials have most likely been turning a blinds eye.
What we haven’t been talking about is the solutions. What do you do when we live in a world that throws everything out, and disregards both human and animal life. Truth is wild horses only make up a small percent of the horses sent to slaughter. Most are domestic horses that have relied on humans their entire life. The lesson horse who can no longer ride, the OTTB who doesn’t win, the pony the child out grows. I’ve seen it all and heard it all. “I can’t keep a horse I can’t ride.” The list goes on. The real problem is our uncommitted culture and the need for instant gratification and quick turnaround.
I’ve looked for solutions for a long time. I’ve been to many herd management areas, and wild horse territories. I’ve been to many round ups, short-term holding, and long-term holding. I’ve been certified in immunocontraception and participated in a fertility program. We have purchased many sales authority horses from satellite adoptions, online corrals, auctions, owner surrenders, and animal control cases. I have found one solution that we have been participating in since 2018. A solution where we are making a difference and working with others who want the same. We have been partnering with the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals since 2018. In 2018 we purchased Bob and Chili for a $1 dollar each. Both over the age of 10. This started a special relationship where we have taken over 30. Our little old rescue in CT has the USFS shipping horses to us from CA because we make a difference. We have gone on to take many horses from there who have specialized needs from over the age of 10, to passed over by adopters, ones that have deformities, bone breaks, founder, blindness, traumas, etc. Horses that need a safe place to overcome many obstacles. The corral manager tells us who needs help and we gladly take them. The corral manager does compliance checks on adopters and has contacted us to take horses from an adopter who failed their check. The corrals work with many sanctuaries, rescues, trainers, etc. This is a huge solution and we would love if all holding facilities model themselves after Double Devil and their corral manager. They take pictures of all animals in their corrals, they know a lot about each one, and they even know the type of adopter or place each animal needs.
So that leads me to the next topic. Our wild horse section is currently empty because we have been planning our next save. Double Devil Wild horse corrals informed me they have 8 burros who need help. These Burros have specialized needs from, a missing eye, torn nostrils, ear parts missing, left hind deformity, holes in nose, and a club foot. Four of them are 20 years old, 3 are over 10, and one is 8 with a club foot. What’s even more special is we have partnered with our friends from the Donkey Cross in CT who will be taking 2 of them. Three organizations partnering together is a beautiful thing and teamwork works!
Please help us with the 6 that will remain with us. We need donations to help them and to continue helping those who are in the most need. Our partnership keeps wild horses/burros out of bad places and protects them for life. This is a solution that works. Please also head over to our friends The Donkey's Cross and help them fundraise for the 2 they are taking. Please check out Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals and see a program that works.
