INTERVIEWS  WITH  ADOPTERS:

The first horse was a 16 year old recently gelded by the BLM. The horse was adopted about 30 days before. The husband is the usual handler of the horse and was not present. The wife stated she had limited previous experience with horses and was a little frightened by the horse. She further stated that the horse was more comfortable with her husband. This is a normal reaction with a feral horse, in that it usually bonds with one person more than another in the beginning. This animal allowed the adopter to approach, was willing to allow the adopter to lead, turn left and right and back up. The adopter was able to touch the horses's face and neck and with some reluctance the near side of the body to approximately mid body. The horse did appear to respond to the touch in a relaxing of the body. The horse resisted being touched on the off side but eventually allowed the adopter to touch the face and neck. The horse did allow me to quietly approach but moved away when I attempted to touch the face and neck. The horse would not allow me to touch the off side. The horse was observed bolting from the adopter when we were leaving and the adopter dropped the dragline. I attribute this to lack of horse handling experience more than the horse's training. An experienced person would have brought the horse's head around before it was turned loose.

The second horse was a 15 year old recently gelded by the BLM. The horse was adopted about 30 days before. The adopter was not present and had not spent consistent time with the horse to any significant degree. The horse was hesitant and would not approach the BLM employee, Jack Albright, when he went into the corral. The horse did turn and look at Jack and if the matter had been pressed, I believe that the horse could have been caught and handled to at least some degree. The horse's behavior was consistent with a feral horse that had been handled but was experiencing a new situation which it was not familiar with.

The third horse was a 15 year old recently gelded by the BLM. The horse was adopted about 10 days before. The adopter was present and had previous experience with horses including prior adoption. The adopter was relaxed and comfortable with the horse. This horse while still learning to be comfortable with handling and leading, was more advanced in the gentling process than the previous horses viewed. This horse appeared to respond positively to being touched.

The fourth horse was a 6 year old mare. The horse was adopted about 10 days before. The adopter was the same as the number three horse. This horse was reluctant to be handled. The adopter did state that the horse was more willing when observers were not present. Although the BLM did not send the horse through its contracted Box program, the adopter privately contracted Southwest Restraint Systems to send the horse through the Box. This horse received the Box treatment but did not receive further training at the owners request.

The fifth horse was 9 year old recently gelded by the BLM. The horse was adopted about 10 days before. The adopter was the same as the number three and four horses. This horse was reluctant and standoffish. The horse was curious and interested in what was happening. The horse did allow Jack Albright to approach without bolting.

Next: Specific Recommendations on the Existing Use of the Southwest Restraint Sysytem