Assistance Needed for Adoption of Historic Mustangs from Virginia Range

Join the effort to adopt wild horses removed from the Virginia Range near Reno. These historic mustangs, including family bands, are in urgent need of forever homes. Learn how you can help provide a sanctuary for these beautiful creatures.

For more information about these lovely horses available for adoption, please click here.

Carson City, Nev. – The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) and Let ‘Em Run Foundation today issued a call for the public’s assistance in adopting wild horses removed from the Virginia Range near Reno.

In March 2013, Return to Freedom, the founding organization of the American Wild Horse Conservation, signed the first cooperative agreement with the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) that provides for first option to purchase any Virginia Range horses captured by the NDA. Under this agreement, local groups have rescued more than 200 horses captured and removed from the range over the last two years.

Available Horses for Adoption

Dozens of fantastic horses are available for adoption. Of particular urgency are two family bands captured from the Virginia Range last year. The historic mustangs are a beautiful array of paints and sorrels of various ages and sexes. Some of the horses looking for their forever homes include:

• Rojo and family: A stallion now named Rojo, looks after two paint mares with one paint filly, two sorrel mares with a paint and sorrel colt, a lead bay mare, and a few yearlings, bringing his large family to 11. Let ‘Em Run is looking to place this colorful family as a group in a sanctuary or at a ranch where they can remain together.
• Waylon and family: Waylon is an all-American stallion captured from the USA Parkway area of the Virginia Range. He has a velvety sorrel coloring, and his age is unknown. His family consists of two mares, two fillies, two colts, and two geldings ages 2-3. Let ‘Em Run would also like to place this bonded family in a setting where they can remain together.
• Bo and Rio: Bo is a 2-3 years old black gelding, standing at 14.2 hands and still growing. He is very calm and curious, has very nice conformation, and is making great progress in halter training. His friend Rio is 1-2 years old, about 13.5 hands, with a lot of growing to do. He is very sweet and extremely smart. Bo and Rio are available as a pair or as individuals for adoption.

Rescue groups and private parties interested in the adoption of Waylon, Rojo & Family are encouraged to contact Let ‘Em Run coordinator Karen Vineis directly at [email protected] or 775-741-4771. Those interested in Bo and Rio, please email [email protected].

Photos of these horses are available here.

Efforts for Humane Management

In March 2015, AWHC’s founding organization, Return to Freedom, signed a second cooperative agreement with the NDA for humane on-the-range management of the Virginia Range horses. Acting as an umbrella for local participating organizations, AWHC is coordinating a fertility control program and range management measures designed to mitigate horse/human conflicts, resolve public safety concerns, and avert further removals of Virginia Range horses.

The Let ‘Em Run Foundation is a nonprofit organization in partnership with government, business, and community, committed to the protection and preservation of wild horses and the heritage of the American West.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is a coalition of more than 60 horse advocacy, public interest, and conservation organizations dedicated to preserving the American wild horse in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage.