Feral/wild horses discussions are always very controversial across the West. Through the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program, the BLM is seeking off-range pastures for excess wild horses to live within a “free-roaming environment” following a population management round up, Wyoming Public Media reports.

With over 95,000 wild horses in the U.S., population management is essential to keep the number of wild horses manageable. While birth control is a popular management method, wild horse gathers are the “second preferred method,” according to Wyoming BLM public affairs specialist Brady Purdy.

“Birth controls are not always successful. Hence, leaving us to one of the other options we have and that's conducting gatherings, which occur when there’s too many horses and the horse herd exceeds appropriate management level,” said Purdy.

In order to sweeten the incentive for those who may be on the fence about adopting an untrained wild horse, BLM is offering up to $1,000 to those who participate in the agency’s Adoption Incentive Program with $500 within the first 60 days and an additional $500 within 60 days of titling the animal, according to Wyoming Public Media. BLM has adoption programs in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and Nebraska.

“There’s a lot of success stories about wild horses. People having great experiences with them. I often hear that once trained and gentled, these are really good work horses,” said Purdy.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, click here.