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Wild, Wild Horses...Need Good Homes

Flickr / Coen Dijkman
Wild horses play in sand.

If you've ever wanted your own horse, you can adoption one Saturday in Decorah for $125. About 40 animals will be available for adoption.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management saysthere are approximately 58,150 horses and burros roaming the western U.S. But to maintain a healthy wild population and a healthy habitat, the agency says those numbers need to drop by more than half. 

"Each animal have their own personality, they have their own character," says Marth Malick of BLM. "But the important thing about gentling an animal is having the time to do it, and making the time to do it, cause all they want is tender love and care."

Adoption for the horses is first-come first-served, and for those wanting to adopt a second animal the fee is only an additional $25, as long as the horse is more than three-years of age. BLM says it doesn't send or sell any horses to slaughterhouses or "kill buyers."

There is a preview of the animals Friday where potential adopters can also get preapproved.