Wild and (darn close to) free: Wild horse auction in area

MARION TOWNSHIP - Whatever you do, do not let your kids read this story. At least not if your kids are the sort to get excitable over the prospect of a $25 horse.

 Consider yourself warned. The Federal Bureau of Land Management is holding a wild horse adoption this weekend at Sarge's Sale Arena, just east of Delphos. Wild horses, fresh from the western plains, are available for as little as $25.

Adoptions began Friday and continue through Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis. Horses range from $25 to $125, depending on the age.

By late Friday, six horses and two burros had been adopted out to local farms. Lisa Niese was considering making it seven horses. She spent part of the afternoon trying to decide between the 25 remaining horses, hoping to add a wild mustang to the two paints she already houses on her Leipsic farm.

"They're just so free-spirited. When people think about a wild horse they think about it being out of control, but they're not. It's just coming from a different environment," Niese said.

Everybody coming to adopt is there for a different reason, said Randy Anderson, wild horse and bureau specialist with the Bureau of Land Management.

"Everybody's looking for something different. Most of them want them for trail riding. We had one girl wanted to train one for show. They make a good horse," Anderson said.

Prospective owners must have sturdy corrals that are at least 20-by-20 feet and at least 6 feet high for an adult horse and at least 5 feet high for horses younger than 18 months. They must also have a shelter directly attached to the corral and be able to provide a stock-type, step up trailer. Ramps and side-by-side, two-horse type trailers are not allowed. Owners must also have the time and patience to train the wild animals. It's hard, but rewarding work, Anderson said.

"Time and patience are the two biggies, not doing too much too soon," Anderson said. "How long it takes, it depends about 10 percent on the horse and 90 percent on the trainer."

Carol Mathews has adopted more than 100 wild horses since 1989. It started off as a way to keep her children busy. She now tours with the staff as a vendor and volunteer when she's not at home on her Missouri farm.

"We had five ornery boys who had nothing to do but sit in the parking lot. This gave them something to do. They brought their friends over - we didn't allow any smoking or drinking - and they worked and stayed out of trouble."

Mathews said it takes her about three weeks of steady, two- or three-hour days to get the horses ready to ride. For someone with less experience, or less commitment, it can take longer. But for some owners, that's part of the thrill of owning a wild horse.

"It's a sense of accomplishment, knowing you've taken a wild animal and trained them. It's that wild aspect that makes it special," Anderson said.

What: Wild Horse Adoption

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday

Where: Sarge's Sale Arena, 5970 Defiance Trail , just east of Delphos

How Much: An adoption fee of $125 for animals less than three years of age and $25 for animals three and older.