U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 
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News.bytesNews.bytes Extra, issue 419

 Horse packing clinic features adoption

The Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro adoption program was a featured part of a packing clinic sponsored by the Backcountry Horsemen of California, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 5-7, in Ferndale on the California North Coast.  The BLM and Back Country Horsemen enjoy a long-standing partnership

Visitors to the event, an annual effort of the equine organization's Redwood Unit, adopted four mustangs and two burros (six of the seven animals offered) during a special one-day adoption event.  The animals had all been trained by BLM wranglers who work at the Litchfield Corrals near Susanville.

A man in a cowboy hat holds a horse by the reins, as a young person looks on
BLM's Jason Williams shows off a young halter trained mustang to an adoption visitor.

A young lady smiles as she holds a horse by a halter
Kelly Chadbourne of Ferndale is all smiles after adopting Peewee, a fully trained seven year-old mustang.  Peewee was trained by Litchfield Corrals wranglers and has been used in corral work.  He was adopted for a $500 fee.

A woman staffing a BLM exhibit booth, speaks with a visitor
Rachel Sowards-Thompson, a BLM interpretive specialist at the King Range National Conservation Area, speaks to a visitor about riding opportunities on public lands in the King Range.  Members of the Back Country Horsemen often take pack trips into the King Range and its wilderness area, and the BLM information station provided information about trails, back country etiquette and other topics.  The Six Rivers National Forest also hosted an information table to provide information about North Coast back country riding opportunities.

Because BLM mustangs are adept at back country packing, BLM's participation in Back Country Horsemen's event is a natural fit.

A women fastens straps from a pack to a sawhorse, as a man in a cowboy hat guides her.
Nicole Farris of Arcata learns from Back Country Horsemen's member Chip Cannon the proper way to secure back country packing containers during one of the hands-on sessions held as part of the packing clinic.

A woman holds a red halter of a miniature horse
Mini horses and llamas, and their enthusiastic owners, were part of the event.

A man on horseback nears a burro whose leash is held by a person
Jerry Tindell, a horse and mule trainer, was the featured clinician, teaching riders of all levels better ways to control their riding and pack animals.

- Jeff Fontana, BLM Northern California District, 2/10


BLM-California News.bytes, issue 419

 
Last updated: 02-11-2010