LOCATE A GENTLED MUSTANG
Find mustangs or burros currently in training.
Check out the map below to find an approved TIP trainer who may have animals available. You can also find TIP animals currently available for adoption in the TIP Facebook group.
Meet your match.
Be honest and upfront with your TIP trainer about your skills, time availability and intended goals for your mustang. Your TIP trainer should demonstrate the skills of your potential new mustang and provide details on training techniques used in gentling. Mustangs are considered gentle when they can be haltered, lead, allow all four feet to be picked up and willingly load in and out of a trailer. If you desire training not included in the gentling requirements, discuss fees and additional training goals with your TIP trainer.
Review the requirements to adopt or purchase a mustang or burro.
All adopters and/or purchasers must be approved by the Bureau of Land Management prior to adoption or purchase. You must meet all adoption requirements outlined by the Bureau of Land Management.
Submit your application to the BLM.
Complete the BLM adoption application available online or from your TIP trainer. Mail the completed application to the BLM office in your state. Include a brief note stating the name of your TIP trainer and the freeze brand of the mustang. Please retain copies of all paperwork for your records. Once your adoption is confirmed, BLM will send you a Private Maintenance and Care Agreement. Make a copy, sign, and return by mail to your originating BLM office, along with your $125 adoption fee in the form of a check. NO cash will be accepted.
Bring your mustang home.
Once you have signed and returned the care agreement, plan the pick up of your mustang with your TIP trainer. The TIP trainer will also provide you with a health record for your horse. After caring for your mustang for one year, from the date of adoption, the BLM will send you a title application. There is no fee for the title. You’ll just need to have the application signed by one of the designated endorsers and return it. Upon receiving the completed application, the BLM will issue the official title to your mustang.
BECOME APPROVED
Follow these steps to become an approved trainer:
- Make sure you have the appropriate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) facility requirements. Click here for more details.
- Complete the TIP Trainer Application APPLY HERE or call our office at (512) 869-3225 to have the application and more information mailed to you.
- Once your application has been approved, you will be notified by phone and mail. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.
- Make an appointment with BLM to pick up your TIP animal(s.) Click here to see a map of the pick-up locations and contact information for the BLM facilities. Some BLM offices allow TIP animals to be picked up during satellite adoptions. Click here to see a schedule of BLM satellite adoptions.
- Begin the gentling process. You have a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 90 days to complete this process.
- Find a qualified adopter. You may utilize our Facebook page that allows TIP trainers to post videos and information about mustangs currently in training. Click here to preview the page. Click here to download the adoption application. Click here for a listing of BLM offices. You will mail the adoption application to the office in your state.
- Get Paid. Once all required paperwork has been submitted to the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the BLM, the TIP trainer should expect payment. Please see the Program Expectations and Requirements for full details regarding adoption and the payment process.
The Mustang Heritage Storefront, developed by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, is meant to target trainers/facilities with a proven track record and the facilities necessary to hold and care for at least 10 wild horses or burros at one time.
The Storefront program is operated by the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program. The Storefront Program is part of the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) and is available to individuals/organizations who have successfully been approved by MHF as a TIP Trainer, and have been approved by the BLM to house 10 or more wild horses or burros at any given time. Through this program there are two options. One is gentling the animals and finding an adopter/purchaser or serving as a pick-up location for other approved TIP
trainers, adopters or purchases.
If you are interested in becoming a Storefront, please complete and send in the Storefront Interest Form to tip@mustangheritagefoundation.org.
The mission of the MHF is to increase the adoption of BLM-housed American Mustangs and burros through innovative gentling (training) competitions and awareness programs. In keeping with this mission, the TIP Challenge has been created to place mustangs and burros in adoptive homes. These challenges involve youth (8-17 years of age) and adults (ages 18 and up) in the adoption and training of Mustangs and burros. Participants help promote the adoption of these national treasures by showcasing the animal’s value and trainability.
If you are interested in hosting a TIP Challenge event please download and fill out the interest form and email to tip@mustangheritagefoundation.org.
DOWNLOAD THE TIP CHALLENGE INTEREST FORM >>
2020 TIP CHALLENGE EVENT SCHEDULE
How do I become a TIP Trainer?
Interested trainers must complete the Trainer Incentive Program application and submit it to the MHF office or online. You will be contacted within two weeks by MHF via phone, email or mail to let you know if you have been accepted. The BLM office of jurisdiction may also contact you prior to MHF approval to discuss your facility. Final approval will come from the TIP director.
What is the minimum age to become a TIP trainer?
You must be 18 years or older to apply for the Trainer Incentive Program.
How long does it take to become a TIP trainer?
The process typically takes 1-2 weeks. However, it can take longer if your application is incomplete and/or missing references, a required membership, a completed facility form, etc.
How do I submit my TIP application?
You can submit an application online, or send it in the mail to our office.
Which facility form can I submit?
You will need to complete the blank Facility Form that is included with the application.
Can my references be related to me?
Yes.
What happens if I change addresses while I am a TIP trainer?
If you change your mailing address, please call our office or email the TIP director to have your contact information updated in our system.
In order to change the physical address where you will be training your TIP animals, you will need to re-submit a facility form prior to making this move.
How long does my TIP status last?
Once approved or renewed, you are considered a current trainer until October 1 of the next year.
Do I have to re-apply or renew every year?
If you are considered an active TIP trainer, you will be able to “renew” your status every October.
A renewal notice is sent out to all active TIP trainers September of each year, and must be completed in order to remain an active trainer.
If you are not an active TIP trainer, you will need to re-apply.
What qualifies an animal as gentled?
Per the Trainer Incentive Program Rules and Regulations, an animal is considered gentled oand ready for adoption, once you are able to halter and lead, pick up all four of its feet, and load it into and out of a trailer.
How many animals can I train at one time?
When you apply to become a TIP trainer, you will be approved for a total number of animals (1-4) to have in training at once. This number is based on your submitted facility form, and varies per trainer.
Is there a minimum number of animals that I must train to keep my status as a TIP trainer?
In order to remain an active TIP trainer, you must gentle and adopt out at least one animal annually.
What is the time limit to gentle an animal?
You have 90 days to gentle the animal and locate an adopter.
Do I have to keep the animal for the full 90 days?
No. You must have the animal in training for a minimum of 10 days prior to adopting it out.
Who finds the adopter?
The TIP trainer is responsible for locating an adopter and providing them with the necessary information to contact the appropriate BLM office and become approved.
Can I adopt the animal myself?
Yes, however, you will not be eligible for the TIP payment.
I have an animal who I am unable to gentle. Now what?
If you are unable to gentle the animal you have in training, you can make an appointment to return it to a Storefront trainer or BLM off-range corral near you.
My circumstances have changed and I no longer have time/other resources to be a TIP trainer. What do I do?
If you do not want or are unable to be an active TIP trainer, please call our office or email the TIP director with this request to be removed from the current list of trainers.
What facilities do I have to have?
Minimum Facility Requirements
Measurements: Approved Trainers must provide a minimum of 400 square feet (20 feet x 20 feet) for each animal adopted/purchased. “Fence broken” adult mustangs need to be maintained in an enclosure at least 6 feet high, 0-18 months old 5 feet high and burros 4.5 feet high. Un- gentled animals should not be released into a large open area, such as a pasture, as the animal may not be easily re-caught for training or veterinary care. However, once the animal is gentled, it may be released it into a pasture or similar area. Materials/Construction: An acceptable corral must be sturdy and constructed out of materials such as; poles, pipes, or planks (minimum 1.5 inches in thickness) without dangerous protrusions. Barbed wire, large-mesh woven, stranded and electric materials are not acceptable for fencing. Posts must be a minimum of 6 inches in diameter and spaced no farther than 8 feet apart. Horizontal rails should be 3-inch minimum diameter poles or planks at least 2” x 8”. If poles are being used, there should be a minimum of five horizontal rails, and with 2″ x 8″ planks, there should be at least four rails. No space between rails should exceed 12″. All rails should be fastened to the inside of the post with either heavy nails or lag screw. A shelter must be provided for your mustang and/or burro(s) in cases of inclement weather and temperature extremes. Contact your administering BLM office for shelter requirements. Applicants will not be approved until all facility requirements are met.
*For more information on BLM facility and shelter requirement visit blm.gov/whb and click on adoption requirements under Important Documents.
What is my financial obligation to each animal?
- Provide adequate and good quality feed and water for each animal on a daily basis to maintain a BCS of 4-6 at all times. All costs to be covered by the trainer.
- Provide adequate and good quality health care for each animal including, but not limited to, all veterinarian and farrier needs. All costs to be covered by the trainer.
- In the case of serious injury or death of the mustang or burro, trainers are required to notify the MHF TIP Director and BLM office of jurisdiction within 24 hours of the occurrence. Trainers will be required to submit a veterinarian’s report to MHF and BLM OOJ within 24 hours. All costs to be covered by the trainer.
- Arrange to have any deceased or euthanized animals disposed of in accordance with all state or local ordinances/requirements. All costs to be covered by the trainer.
- Contact a farrier, if farrier care is needed. All costs to be covered by the trainer.
- Maintain possession of the animal until it is released by the BLM to the new adopter, purchaser, or returned to a satellite adoption or designated BLM Holding Facility. If returning the animal, you must contact BLM to coordinate and discuss the nearest BLM location for return.
- Individuals are responsible for all costs associated with the humane care of the animals while in their possession, including facility maintenance/repair, veterinarian care, farrier or disposal costs, and feed/grain and other needed supplements. None of these costs will be reimbursed by MHF or BLM.
How much do I get paid for each animal?
Once the animal has been gentled, the adopter approved and all appropriate paperwork submitted, the TIP trainer will be paid the set fee. Mustangs of all ages will be paid at a flat rate of $1,000. Burros of all ages will be paid a flat rate of $750.
TIP animals that are adopted without meeting all three training requirements will be paid a flat rate of $500. This is to be indicated by the adopter/ purchaser on the Training Assessment form, as well as by the TIP trainer on the Invoice form.
Can I ask a purchase price for the animal in addition to the 125$ BLM fee?
Trainers cannot advertise animals as FOR SALE, unless notified by BLM that the animal is sale eligible. The adoption or purchase price must be advertised as $125 made payable to the Bureau of Land Management.
Trainers cannot charge any type of “holding”, “deposit” or “application” fees. Adopters/purchasers are only required to pay the $125 BLM adoption/purchase Fee. After the adoption/purchase is complete, trainers and adopters/purchasers may enter into private arrangements for continued training, boarding, etc.
How do I claim my money for a gentled animal?
All TIP trainers are required to submit a complete TIP Invoice form (completed by that TIP trainer) along with the completed Training Assessment form (completed by the approved adopter).
The Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) is a training and adoption program that engages talented horse trainers nationwide.
Approved TIP trainers gentle and halter train a BLM-branded wild mustang or burro, then market and find a new home for the animal.
Once a home is approved by BLM, the TIP trainer is reimbursed for their training and marketing services.
The success of TIP led to the creation of TIP Storefronts, a program for trainers with facilities capable of receiving 20 or more animals into training at a time, and TIP Challenges, competitions that allow trainers to showcase the versatility of
mustangs.