NORTH DAKOTA BADLANDS HORSE

Are you ready for your own wild horse?

Thank you for your interest in the North Dakota Badlands Horses. It is our pleasure to assist you in the process to possibly adopt one of these unique horses. To give you a little more information, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) horses have advantages over most other wild horses. Because they have been born within the boundary fence of the nearly 47,000-acre park, they know what a fence is, and, since visitors can drive the park road, the horses have also seen and heard various kinds of vehicles. Since 2009 the horses have been studied very closely by a research team making them accustomed to having humans near; therefore, though they have not been touched, they are comfortable with people being in close proximity. Most importantly, they will be captured by one of several low stress methods, not large helicopter roundups, and they will be handled as gently as possible. It must be noted that since they are owned by the National Park Service, only Theodore Roosevelt National Park staff will determine which ones are to be removed. These decisions are based on various scientific criteria.

​At the bottom of this page you'll find our recommendations regarding the care of your adopted horse. We want to help you make your experience positive, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and visit with us.

Ready For Your Own Adventure?  TRNP auctions the available horses using GSA Auctions. You must create an account (register) with GSA Auctions to bid on a horse. Click the 'Register' link on the GSA Auctions home page. We encourage you to register as soon as possible to avoid any delays in your bidding!  Auctions run for 1 week from the date the horse(s) is listed. More information on how the auction works can be found here.  We are excited to have you join us and all the other happy owners of North Dakota Badlands Horses!

View Available Horses

Thinking about OWNING a wild one? 
Review these Recommendations

EXPERIENCE

For success with an NDBH, it is recommended that the adopter:

• Have extensive experience in working with horses.
  
• Have some experience in gentling wild horses or young domestic horses that have not yet been gentled.
• If the adopter is inexperienced, it is highly recommended that he/she work closely with an experienced trainer in gentling a wild horse.

FACILITIES

No wild horses, particularly stallions, should be turned out in ordinary wire fenced enclosures.

It is best to have two horses kept together or keep the new horse penned near others that he/she can see.

The first pen for a wild horse should be at least 400 sq ft., but not too large (60,000 sq ft would be pretty large to be able to easily move the horse/horses into a training pen.)

It is best to have a smaller round pen connected to the pen for gentling.

The pen should have a shelter with a roof and at least 2 sides protecting the horse from the wind. Any metal walls must be lined with wood to prevent serious injury. Thick trees would substitute for one side of the shelter if they stop the wind.

Fences should be no less than 5 ½ ft. high for horses 12 months and under and no less than 6 ft. for those older than 12 months.

Fences should be of sturdy wood or metal construction with no more than 1 ft. between rails. Steel mesh may be used if openings are no more than 3 inches.

No sharp edges, protruding nails or screws, etc. should be inside this structure where horse could be cut.

No wire should be used to confine the horse until it is gentle, castrated, and easy to catch, then only well maintained wire fences would be acceptable.

Once the horse is gentle it should have more space to run and move. Stalling is not recommended for these horses but can be used if turnout is often and large enough for the horse to run. These horses are good jumpers so be aware of that even after gentling.

FEED

Fresh grass and clean grass hay is recommended. These horses are not used to rich feeds. Small amounts of grain based feed are OK when the horse is growing and if it is very active, but avoid too much grain.

Always have plenty of fresh water available year round.

Supplements are OK but not necessary if the horse has plenty of good clean grass hay.

VET & FARRIER CARE

Castration is highly recommended on all stallions. Talk to your Vet. about the proper time.

Vaccinating for rabies is recommended as soon as possible.

Use other vaccinations as recommended by your Vet. or your situation

Worm with feed as soon as you can get the horse to eat small amounts of feed unless the horse has been wormed at the time of capture. Oral wormers are recommended as needed once the horse is gentle.

As soon as you can handle feet have the hooves trimmed. It often works well to have the farrier trim hooves when a stallion is under sedation for castration.

Have your Vet. or Equine Dentist check teeth as soon as you can handle the horse’s head. This also works well when a stallion is castrated. Pull wolf teeth at this time.

It is wise to have a young horse’s teeth checked often to prevent dental issues.

TRAINING

Gentling should be done slowly and patiently.

Excessive running in a round pen or on a lunge line is damaging to young legs.

Keep training periods short but often with young horses.

Do not tie a young horse solid as it can cause damage, injury, or even death.

Seek the help of a good natural trainer or learn from DVDs and videos from respected, experienced trainers if you are unsure about the gentling process.

Under saddle training is not recommended until the horse is at least 3 years old, although teaching acceptance of a saddle and weight in the saddle is acceptable at younger ages.