CULLMAN, Ala. – It’s been one year since Amy Dunn of Cullman adopted Joker, the mustang. During this time, after plenty of head scratches, lots of laughs and tons of treats, they have forged a lifelong bond. Dunn adopted Joker at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro adoption event at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center in September 2023, but his journey to her began when he was born at the Northern Nevada Correctional Facility in January 2021.
Joker’s mother had been brought to the facility after being removed from the Antelope Valley Herd Management Area in July 2020 during an emergency gather due to a lack of available forage and water on the range. Joker was cared for by inmate staff at the facility, where he was gelded, given proper veterinary care and prepared for adoption.
In August 2023 shipment papers came through ordering Joker to head east to Cullman, with a stopover for rest at the Elm Creek, Nebraska Wild Horse and Burro Corral. He arrived in Cullman on Sept. 19, completing a roughly 2,300-mile journey from Carson City — the only place he had known until then.
As fate would have it, Dunn was searching for a new four-legged best friend when she came across “9074” (the neck tag number assigned to Joker by the BLM) at the adoption event.
Adopter Amy Dunn holding Joker’s former neck tag “9074.” (Hunter Paffrath)
“From the moment I saw 9074, I knew he was the one I’d be taking home,” said Dunn. “He was in the back of the pen playing with his water trough. It was so cute.”
Dunn said she wanted to keep an open mind and check out the other available horses but realized she was just going through the motions as Joker was in the back of her mind the entire time.
“I was deciding on a name for him,” Dunn said. “Once we brought him home, he was super curious about everything and again playing with the water trough. That’s when I decided the name Joker was the right fit for him.”
Dunn admitted she was originally planning on training Joker and then finding him a new home within the community, but those plans changed when she fell head over heels for him.
“Joker is staying with me,” said Dunn. “I love him. I am planning on coming back to the adoption this September to see if any other horses or burros catch my eye.”
Joker receiving much deserved affection from his mama, Amy Dunn. (Hunter Paffrath)
The Bureau of Land Management will return to the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center Sept. 19-21 and will be offering approximately 100 wild horses and burros for adoption. Read more about the event at www.blm.gov/announcement/september-19-21-wild-horse-and-burro-event-cullman-alabama.
