Characteristics of potential adopters of wild horses and their willingness-to-pay for wild horses.

The research surveyed current and former horse owners to determine their potential interest in adopting wild horses and burros, and to assess their willingness to pay for these animals. Indications were that many respondents might be open to such adoptions, particularly younger consumers and those with past adoption experiences.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted an online nationwide survey, gathering responses from 2,247 current and former horse owners. This approach was aimed at assessing the feasibility of accommodating the strategy of placing wild horses and burros in private homes.
• In addition to basic information about horse ownership and the respondent’s demographic, the survey also collected data on their previous experience with wild horses and how they would respond to hypothetical wild horse adoption scenarios. This information provided insight into the potential adoption behavior of respondents.

Research Findings

• The research found that the majority of respondents were open to the idea of adopting a wild horse. This willingness to adopt was notably higher among younger potential adopters and previous adopters. This suggests that the level of familiarity with wild horses and age impact the likelihood of adoption.
• Overall, the results of the survey suggest that by reducing existing barriers to adoption and expanding training for wild horses, it might be possible to increase the annual number of adoptions. Furthermore, by educating the horse-owning public on adoption requirements and targeting certain age groups of potential adopters, adoption levels could potentially be raised.

Implications for Animal Welfare

• If successful, an increase in the adoption of wild horses and burros from federal lands into private homes could result in improved welfare outcomes for these animals.
• In socio-economic terms, an effective adoption strategy could mean that fewer resources would be required to support wild horses and burros on federal lands, which are often strained due to overpopulation.