In order to reduce the number of animals on the rangeland, the BLM periodically conducts roundups of the animals and sorts out some horses and burros for public adoption, Figure 10-40. Many of these horses are also kept on feedlots or private ranches. Populations are also managed by treating mares with fertility control injections. East Coast Feral Horses When most people think of wild horses in the United States, they picture those running across western states, not running free on an island on the East Coast. The Assateague horses are said to be descendants of horses owned by seventeenth century owners seeking to avoid fencing laws and livestock taxation. Others paint a more romantic story of the horses as descendants of shipwreck survivors. Feral horse herds can also be found on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Populations in these areas are controlled through roundup and adoption operations, much like their Western counterparts. Breeds of Equines The species name given to all horses, donkeys, and asses is equine. Within the equine species, there are two subcategories, Equus caballus and Equus asinus. Equus caballus is the scientific name for wild and domesticated horses, and Equus asinus is the scientific name for donkeys and asses. Types of Equines The Equus asinus equines are often called the long-eared breeds. These asses and donkeys are characterized by their long ears, larger heads in proportion to their body, and flatter backs and croups. Horses, the subcategory Equus caballus, are broken down into three different categories based on size. Pony is the classification typically given to horses under 14.2 hands tall and weighing up to 900 lb. Light horses are around 14 to 16 hands tall and weigh generally between 900 and 1,400 lb at maturity. Draft horses are typically 16 to 18 hands tall and may weigh upward of 2,000 lb. They are characterized by their heavy bone and muscular build. It is important to note that height alone is not the only indicator of which subcategory a horse belongs in. For example, in cases where a light breed horse matures at under 14.2 hands tall, it is not necessarily considered a pony. Did You Know? The current claim for the tallest horse in the world belongs to a Belgian gelding named Big Jake. Big Jake weighed 240 lb at birth and stands almost 20.3 hands tall. He currently weighs more than 2,600 lb and consumes about 80 lb of hay and 40 qt of oats every day. BLM Nevada Diamond Gather Figure 10-40. The BLM holds adoptions for the excess feral horses and burros rounded up from rangeland. In order to adopt a horse, you must meet minimum housing criteria and pay a $125 adoption fee. Do you know someone who has adopted a “wild” horse? Chapter 10 Large-Animal Production 555 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.