RAMONA -- To save animals from overpopulation and unhealthy living conditions, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management will hold a wild horse and burro adoption at the Ramona Community Center Fairgrounds this weekend.

The bureau works to protect and manage the herds that roam free on government land in 11 western states. Currently, there are 34,000 horses and burros living on public land, said Doran Sanchez, a spokesman for the bureau.

Since 1973, more than 210,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted but the need has recently increased due to dwindling food and water supplies.

"The last five years, the western states have been in an extended drought," Sanchez said. "Plus, the wildfires have destroyed habitats where these guys live."

Starting today, people can choose from 20 burros and 80 mustangs, including yearlings, geldings and mares. The animals are between 1 and 4 years old. The adoptions end at 5 p.m. Sunday. During the weekend, experts will provide training information and demonstrations to those adopting, Sanchez said.

On Friday, after a more than four-hour trip, the horses stormed out of the trailers that had brought them and into corrals at the fairgrounds. Eight horses were released at a time. One tan-colored mare tentatively put her nose to the ground before she made a run for it.

In a sea of black horses, a white mustang broke out and an audience of prospective adopters gave a simultaneous "aww."

Wendy Alverson studied the animals, looking for one with a good personality, which the horse owner said was most important in making a choice.

"I thought I could rescue a couple," she said.

"But I have to see if I can train them."

Her daughter Christin, 15, walked around with a pad and pen writing down the numbers of the horses that stood out to her.

"It just hits me when it hits me," Christin said.

"When I see one I like, I will know it's him."

Others attempted to interact with the wild animals to see how hard it would be to tame them. One woman put her face level with one of the younger horses who slowly came up and touched its nose to hers.

People can view the animals before making a bid from 7 to 9 a.m. today. A silent competitive auction will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. with bids starting at $125 per animal.

Those horses and burros not selected during the silent bidding will be available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis until 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Sanchez said burros make great pets and companion animals.

"Once they learn that you aren't going to hurt them, they follow you around like a big puppy," he said.

"They bond with other (pets) and protect them from wild animals."

To qualify for an adoption, individuals must be at least 18 years old, a United States resident and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Newly adopted wild horses and burros must be kept in an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet.

The adoption process is final in a year, after bureau officials make periodic visits to make sure the animal is being cared for and is in good health. The adopter cannot sell the animal during that year and must notify the bureau if the horse or burro is moved.

The last local adoption for 2006 will be at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds April 22 and 23.

"It's a great program for people to get a real quality animal," Sanchez said, "or even just to learn … about our western heritage."

The Ramona Community Center Fairgrounds are on Aqua Lane. For more information, go to www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

Contact staff writer Adrienne A. Aguirre at (760) 740-3526 or aaguirre@nctimes.com.