More than 400 mustangs found adoptive homes this weekend during a series of National Wild Horse Adoption Day events sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and wild horse advocacy groups nationwide. Another 100 horses are expected to be placed during three similar events in October.

The horses were offered for adoption Sept. 26 at 35 events designed to educate prospective owners about the animals’ performance potential and training requirements. The BLM hoped to place 1,000 animals during the events.

“I think we had an ambitious goal. But one of the most important aspects is that people who came to see these events will be a little more educated about the horses and about what’s going on with them,” said Julie Bryant, National Wild Horse Adoption Day Coordinating Director.

Mona Jerome operator of the Ever After Mustang Rescue in Biddeford, Maine, agreed