Free Horse Training Demonstrations, Clinics Scheduled for Napa

Napa Valley area horse enthusiasts can brush up their horse training skills at free gentling demonstrations and clinics to be held Saturday, May 16, as part of the Napa Mustang Days celebration at the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association arena in Napa.
 
Highlight of the celebration will be the opportunity to adopt a mustang or wild burro from a group of 40 animals, (30 horses and 10 burros) offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Seven horses have been halter trained.
 
Lesley Neuman, a Lostine, Ore. trainer who has worked with hundreds of wild horses, will use mustangs from the adoption pens to show gentle training methods that build trust between horses and humans.
 
Trainers Sue Watkins, Sheridan, Calif.; Janet Titus, Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; and Midori Morgan, Napa, will conduct mini clinics on topics including catching and leading, fitting tack, hoof care and other topics.   Training sessions are scheduled throughout the day. An event schedule is posted at www.napamustangdays.com.

Wild horses being offered for adoption are from public land herds in northeast California and northwest Nevada. These herd areas are known for producing good-sized wild horses suitable for pleasure riding, back country packing and competition. The burros are from southern California.

Animals will arrive at the Napa Valley Horsemen's Association, 1200 Foster Rd., Napa, for previewing at about 2 p.m. Friday, May 15.   Adoptions get underway with an hour of silent bidding at 9 a.m. Saturday.  After bidding, all horses and burros remaining will be available for a $125 adoption fee. 
 
More information is available by calling toll free, 866-4MUSTANGS, or the BLM Litchfield Corrals, (530) 254-6575.  Adoption information is available online at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.
 
The wild horses and burros coming to Napa were gathered from public land herds as part of the BLM’s work to maintain wild populations in balance with other range users, including wildlife and domestic livestock, and at levels that can be supported by rangeland food and water sources.

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