The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Nevada Department of Agriculture & the Nevada Department of Corrections are hosting the first of three annual saddle-trained horse adoption events in Carson City on Saturday, February 12 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center (NNCC), off Snyder Avenue on the south side of Carson City.

Eighteen wild horses from the ranges of Nevada from BLM administered public lands will be offered for adoption at the NNCC corrals starting at 9:00 a.m. for public viewing, followed by a competitive bid adoption conducted by an auctioneer that begins at 10:00 a.m.

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

A catalog of BLM wild horses offered for the February 12 adoption is posted on-line at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field.html. Frequently asked questions about the program are answered at the same site. Copies of the catalog are also available at BLM offices in Reno and Carson City.

To pre-qualify for the weekend adoption call, 775-885-6146.

Potential adopters are asked to enter the Northern Nevada Correctional Center off Snyder Avenue on the south side of Carson City.

From U.S. 395, take Snyder Avenue east for 1.5 miles to the entrance to the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. Turn right (south) and watch for signs and event personnel at the extreme south end of the facility directing event participants to the horse corrals and parking.

NNCC rules prohibit the public from wearing any blue clothing, blue jeans, tank tops or shorts at the auction. Also, please no cell phones, cameras or recording devices.