Buyers at wild horse, burro auction study before bidding

"The first time they take a step toward you or whinny for you they've shown acceptance. You just can't put that feeling into words," said Tiffiney Smith, a Jackson teacher at South Elementary.

Smith refers to the wild horses and burros brought in by the Bureau of Land Management this weekend for adoption to good homes. The BLM is responsible for managing wild herds on Western rangelands and uses the adoption program to control wild horse and burro populations.

Until trust is gained, the wild animals see humans as a predator, she said. Gaining this trust takes a lot of time and patience. They remain products of their environment: wild.

As in her line of work with special education students, Smith said, "You can't run out of approaches to read them and bond with them. You have to adapt and be flexible."

Smith, who believes the wild animals have more muscle, endurance and smarts, has already adopted Hawk, Jesse, Princess, Sunny, Miss Chips, Moonshine, Bailey, Elvis and Rosie, who just had a colt, Shelby Kate. For Smith, time with her horses offers stress relief. Smith began adopting five years ago, and not one has been aggressive.

She spent time Thursday watching the horses unload, then another six hours on Friday and most of Saturday at Flickerwood Arena. She has been keenly studying three burros with the intent of adopting them. One youngster looks kind of scruffy. "He's just a baby. All he needs is a good brushing," she said.

Another selection, an above-average sized burro is on her list. "He'll probably go fast just because of his size." Lastly, Smith has selected a black burro, distinct because of his color. But looks aren't everything. Carefully observing body language will tells you who's dominant and who's timid.

The horses and burros don't seem particularly wild because they're penned up with their buddies. June Conaway, BLM handler, said, "They're tired." They've been trailered for seven hours, and the stress wears them out.

Vaccinated and tested

The burros and horses, all 5 years of age and under, have been vaccinated, blood-tested, examined by a veterinarian and wormed.

Kenny Carney, in bona-fide auctioneer-speak, began the bidding at $25 for "frequent flyers." These horses and burros have already been on the auction block. "This one here's got a little cut -- all he needs is a good caretaker and a good home," barked Carney to potential owners huddled around the pen.

Planning ahead, David and Lori Long of Marquand, Mo., educated themselves Friday at the adoption. Their three daughters, Elizabeth, 3, Rebecca, 6, and Sarah, 9, busily petted the horses. David Long said, "We'll be in the market next year. We've got the place. We just want to make sure we're 100 percent ready. Ownership is a big responsibility."

Long believes this is an inexpensive way to buy a horse. "With three daughters we'd like to buy a couple at a time. I don't mind working with them. You can teach them from a clean slate. Horses from someone else may come with bad habits."

Donna Chappius of Perryville, Mo., already has two mustangs she rides all the time. She looks for build, size and for their feet not to be too long. "They drag them and it can be difficult shoeing them." She likes the challenge of training wild horses, adding, "It's fun."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133