4-H handled wild horses available for eastern Idaho adoption

BLACKFOOT – A 16-year Bureau of Land Management partnership with the University of Idaho 4-H program will bring a number of wild horses to the Eastern Idaho State Fair, 97 Park St., in Blackfoot, for an adoption event at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 30.

Since June, young people representing 4-H clubs from Oneida to Teton counties have gentled and trained their yearling mustangs to lead, load in a horse trailer, pick up their feet, and a variety of other skills.

They will demonstrate these skills at the State Fair during a trail challenge at 11 a.m. and a freestyle demonstration at 5 p.m. on Aug. 29.

Ten horses will be available for adoption and may be viewed in the Light Horse Barn Aug. 29-30.

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have facilities that meet the BLM’s requirements.

Title to the animals remains with the federal government for one year, after which adopters can apply for title. Detailed information about adoption qualifications and facility requirements can be found online.

Since 2009, the BLM Idaho Wild Horse and Burro Program, in concert with University of Idaho Extension 4-H youth development, has successfully paired youth with young wild horses.

More than 400 wild horses have been placed into private care, saving the American taxpayer over $6 million in caring costs for unadopted wild horses.

Additionally, hundreds of young men and women have developed wild horse handling skills and since the BLM shares a portion of the adoption proceeds, more than $121,000 has been raised to support Idaho 4-H Clubs.

This year’s participating 4-H clubs are: Teton County, Hides and Hooves (Jefferson County), Hooves, Spurs, and Furs (Jefferson County), Barnyard Wranglers (Bingham County), Mustang Wranglers (Oneida County), and Horse Whisperers (Bear Lake County).

The BLM is responsible under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act for protecting and managing wild horses and burros on public lands.

The agency periodically removes animals from the range, when populations exceed levels established to allow wild horse and burro herds to thrive in balance with other range uses, including wildlife and permitted livestock.

These animals are then available for adoption at events throughout the country.

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