One of the things we're working on is a more visible, productive and viable mentoring volunteer program. As lovers of wild horses and burros, our past adopters are our most valuable resource. Over the past years, several of the BLM offices have been helped by volunteers as mentors; to provide assistance and support to new and inexperienced adopters of wild horses and burros. We have found that with help, new adopters are less uncomfortable and unsure of where to begin training their wild horse or burro. Through the mentoring program, people new to the program and their animal can receive help and guidance during the initial phase of getting to know their animal. Sometimes when things are not going as well as you hoped that they might or you've run into problems, volunteers can offer suggestions and offer moral support.

We are also planning to increase the use of volunteers to help the BLM's compliance efforts, ensuring the animals are receiving proper care. Compliance checks can be accomplished in a variety of ways. We are looking into the feasibility of using volunteers to assist in telephoning new adopters to find out how things are going with adopters' progress. If problems are detected during the initial telephone compliance check, that information will be provided to the BLM office with jurisdiction over the area and physical checks will be made. We believe that not only can we verify the health and well being of our animals, but can also increase the comfort level for the new adopter.

The National Wild Horse and Burro Staff is researching the possibility of using a small number of BLM supported trainers to begin the initial process of training some of our animals that, in the past have proven to be less desirable for adoption to the general public. In that way, the older, less adoptable animal could suddenly become a more valued horse and will not be sent to several adoptions before finding a loving and caring home.

Additionally we are researching the use of a marketing firm to assist us in new marketing techniques and help in identifying new markets; people who have horses, who know how to care for horse, but simply are not aware of the beauty, stability, endurance and love a wild horse or burro can bring into their home.

The Wild Horse and Burro Program looks forward to these new ideas and challenges. As past adopters and people interested in our program, we hope you share our enthusiasm and we look forward to working with all of you.