Zeus, our BLM Burro

1. After about a month with us
2. After a couple of years.
3. In 2009, after 7 years with us. "What are you doing with those bucks?"

 

This is Zeus, our BLM burro. He was a 6 year old jack when we adopted him. Thinking I was going for a young jennet (female), I couldn't turn down the chance at this handsome guy, for $50!

BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management, a branch of the government that oversees land, water and mineral use in mainly the western part of the US. Zeus is the descendant of burros that were released by prospectors and ranchers many years ago, and like his herdmates, now roams the ranges of the West. BLM rounds them up periodically, and returns a select number to the range. The rest are auctioned off, or maintained in feedlots until they find homes. Older jacks are a particular problem, as people are afraid to adopt them.

Jacks can be dangerous, and should be castrated, or gelded. However, we had Zeus for 6 months before he could be gelded, and he was almost always the perfect gentleman. Except when it came to cleaning hooves! However, the day after the gelding, I was able to pick up his hooves to clean them without a problem.

There are a good many BLM burros, especially jacks, needing permanent homes.