WHAT'S YOUR WHY?

In an effort to support the BLM in successful placement of historically less adoptable horses, animals available to Forever Branded program participants will primarily be bays, browns, and sorrels, aged 2 and above. Burros will be grey or brown, geldings or jennies, and aged 2-years-old and older. 

Participants are required to meet and maintain BLM minimum facility requirements as dictated by the current Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP). Additional requirements above and beyond the BLM minimum standards may be required by Forever Branded. Photos, videos and/or a virtual compliance inspection will be required upon application consideration. 

Note: The Bureau of Land Management's Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program is a proactive program for protecting the welfare of wild horses and burros under the agency's management and protection. The BLM is committed to protecting animal welfare and providing humane care and treatment to all wild horses and burros protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Horses and burros must be transported in a stock-type or horse trailer with a rear swing gate. 

The trailer must have the following: 

• A covered top.
• Sturdy walls and floors, with a smooth interior and free from any sharp protrusions. The floor must be covered with a non-skid material.
• Ample headroom and adequate ventilation.
• Removable partitions or compartments to separate animals by size, sex, and species, if necessary.

Photos of trailers may be requested prior to pick-up to make sure that they meet the safety standards.

• BLM Corrals: Forever Branded program participants MUST schedule an appointment with BLM in advance to pick up animals at corrals. Appointments are set based on BLM availability. Upon application approval, Forever Branded will provide program participants a list of approved pick-up locations and contact information. 
• BLM Satellite Events: BLM will specify pick-up times (generally occurring not more than 2 hours before the completion of an adoption event) and select animals eligible for Forever Branded program participants. BLM will not ship animals to participants or individual eligible horses or burros to satellite events.
• Branded Adoption Centers: If identified as an eligible pick-up point, Forever Branded program participants may pick up from an approved Branded Adoption Center. 

Once approved as a Branded Partnerships trainer or Branded Adoption Center operator, Forever Branded will provide the participant with the following:

1. A listing in the Trainer/Operator Database which advertises locations to the public online.
2. Horse/burro listings via the Forever Branded Classifieds platform using participant provided photos, videos and information.
3. Regular promotion of available animals listed on the Forever Branded Classifieds platform via Forever Branded social media platforms to drive awareness and spark adoptions.

1. Make sure you have 2 completed reference forms handy (one from your established veterinarian, and one from an equine professional who knows you well) and photos/videos of your facility, showing that they meet BLM requirements.
2. Complete the program application (coming soon!).
3. We will begin accepting applications on Monday, 2/24/25. The application period will remain open for several weeks, during which time, we will thoroughly review applications and make final determinations of which partners to move forward with. We will only be taking a select number of partners in 2025 but will be expanding in 2026 and beyond.

1. Trainers must have the horse/burro(s) in training for a minimum of 30 days before completing the adoption or purchase process. Trainers are encouraged to locate an interested applicant within 90 days. Using least resistance training methods (natural horsemanship gentling techniques), animals must meet the three minimum gentling requirements within the program to be eligible for adoption/sale through Branded Partnerships:
   1. Halter & lead
   2. Groom animal and pick up all 4 feet
   3. Load/unload into trailer
2. Trainers are required to prove through video submission and/or video conference that all the gentling requirements have been met before an application is finalized with the BLM. All requirements must be performed by someone other than the trainer and submitted to the Branded Partnerships Manager for review.
3. Provide Forever Branded with monthly progress reports while the animal is in the Branded Partnerships trainer’s care.
4. Trainers must commit to training a minimum of 4 horses/burros per year. 
5. Trainers must agree to submit quality post-gentling adoption photos (and video, if available) and information for use by Forever Branded in promoting and aiding their successful placement.
6. Trainers must provide the approved applicant with the Adopter Assessment Form. This form is for the adopter/purchaser to complete to ensure each gentling requirement has been met.

Applicants that have in the past or are currently participating in AIP (Adoption Incentive Program) are eligible to participate in Branded Partnerships as a trainer, however AIP horses are ineligible for the Branded Partnerships program.

1. Trainers must agree to a return period of up to 30 days (or longer if the trainer desires) for adopted horses/ burros. See Safe Landing Policy outlined below for more details.
2. Branded Partnerships trainers are required to offer up to 10 follow-up lessons with the adopter/purchaser, either in person or by video, for a fee of no more than $40/each (paid to the trainer by the adopter). It is up to the adopter to accept this offer of assistance or not. The goal of these lessons is to ensure a successful transition and partnership between the horse/burro and their new adopter/purchaser.
3. Branded Partnerships trainers are required to host a minimum of 1 educational clinic for the public/new adopters each calendar year. These may either be done in person or via an online channel of the trainer’s choice. Fees are to be determined by the trainer and paid directly to the trainer by the participants, however fees shall not exceed $250/participant or $75/auditor. The goal of these clinics should be to offer opportunities for new or interested adopters to learn new or advance their horsemanship skills in order to improve long-term placement of wild horses and burros.

Safe Landing Policy

Branded Partnerships trainers are required to participate in a return policy of at least 30 days to all adopters/purchasers (trainers may opt to extend this timeline when communicating with adopters/purchasers if they desire). This policy is to ensure a safe landing for all animals graduating the Branded Partnerships program that may not adequately transition into their new home.

Adopted Horses/Burros

Horses and burros that are returned to the original Branded Partnerships trainer will be reassigned to the trainer at a cost of $25 (paid by the adopter to the BLM). The Branded Partnerships trainer can then continue the training of that animal and offer them for adoption at the standard BLM fee plus their chosen training fee. Forever Branded will assist in the placement of these animals via the Forever Branded Classifieds listings. Trainers are responsible for providing Forever Branded photos, video and information of/about the animal to populate these listings.

Sale Authority Horses/Burros

Horses and burros that are returned to the original Branded Partnerships trainer will be done so at no cost to the trainer (meaning the original buyer of the animal may not charge the trainer a fee to take the horse/burro back into their care for rehoming). The Branded Partnerships trainer may then continue the training of that animal and offer them for sale at their chosen training fee. Forever Branded will assist in the placement of these animals via the Branded Partnerships Portal listings. Trainers are responsible for providing Forever Branded with photos, video and information of/about the animal to populate these listings.

Animals enrolled in and adopted/sold through Branded Partnerships will follow the same rules, regulations, and fees associated with adopting/purchasing directly from the BLM.

Once an adoption/sale is complete, verified, and all program requirements are met, the Branded Partnerships trainer will be compensated $1200 for their time and effort.*

* If any part of the process is incomplete, the animal is found to not meet training requirements, etc., the trainer will not be paid.