What is the TIP Program?
TIP stands for Trainer Incentive Program, which is run by the Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), who partners with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to help find good homes for mustangs.
Basically, anyone with a BLM-approved application can adopt a wild mustang for $125 or a wild burro for $75. However, the adopter must either have a knowledgeable trainer lined up to work with the animal, or have the knowledge themselves. Training a wild horse or burro is quite a bit more challenging than training a domestic equine!
That's where TIP comes in. A trainer, who has been approved by both the BLM and MHF, picks up the wild horse from a holding corral, gentles it, and then makes it available to a BLM-approved adopter. Although the animal is still considered very "green" and inexperienced, the TIP trainer's primary job is to get the horse past that first big hurdle of overwhelming fear of humans. In order to be considered "gentled", the TIP trainer must train the horse/burro to meet a minimum of 3 criteria:
- Easily halter and lead
- Pick up its feet for cleaning/farrier work
- Load/unload into a trailer
While the experience and willingness of the animal to do those 3 will vary with the animal and the trainer, and any additional training (if any) will vary, it has been determined that the average adopter should be able to work with and handle the animal at that point.
Another benefit to adopting a TIP-gentled horse is that the adopter is only required to have 5 foot high fences, which is the height of the average livestock corral panel or round pen. To adopt a totally wild animal, adopters must have 6 foot high fences.
Check out the available TIP horses here at
Does a TIP-gentled animal cost more?
NO! By adopting a TIP horse or burro, you are saving yourself time and money, as well as saving tax-payer dollars!
The adopter still pays only $125 per horse or $75 per burro. Through partnerships, grants, and donations, the MHF pays the TIP trainer $1000 to help cover the costs involved in pick up/delivery, unexpected veterinary or farrier care, hay, etc. In the end, this is a HUGE savings for the BLM program, since they are no longer having to finance that animal in a permanent holding facility. The TIP trainer is always available to offer guidance to the adopter, or at least point them in a direction to further their animal's training. Best of all, the animal gets a great home and life, and no longer has to worry about starving out on the range! It's a win-win for all!!