RENO — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Nevada Department of Corrections invite horse lovers and the general public to a special horse adoption event at the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo in Reno on Saturday. Ten saddle-trained horses from the ranges of Nevada will be available for adoption starting at noon and all are looking for good homes and enthusiastic owners.

The horses range in age from 3 to 6 years old, are saddle-trained with 120 days of training and vary in weight and color.  The beginning bid on all horses is $150.  The saddle-trained animals are trained at the NNCC by inmates in the Nevada Department of Corrections program in Carson City.

Preview the 10 horses on Friday and Saturday until 11 a.m., when the horses will be showcased in free-style event.  A competitive bid adoption conducted by an auctioneer begins at noon.  The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is located at 1350 N. Wells Ave., about three blocks north of Interstate 80.

A catalog of BLM wild horses and burros offered for the adoption can be viewed at www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field.html.  Copies of the handout are also available at BLM offices in Reno and Carson City. Frequently asked questions about the program are answered at the same site. To pre-qualify for the weekend adoption, call 885-6146.

The adoption is just one highlight of the annual Western States Wild Horse and Burro Expo, which runs Aug. 20 to 22.  Admission to the Expo is $5 per person.  For more information and an events schedule for the Expo, visit www.wildhorseandburroexpo.com or contact Cindy Lawrence at 853-4182.