Idaho Wild Horses Offered for Adoption in Challis

CHALLIS, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer for adoption wild horses from the Challis Herd Management Area at the BLM Wild Horse Corrals in Challis, August 28–30.

There are 22 fillies ages one to four, 28 geldings ages one to four, and 11 weanlings (six months) that range in color from gray, sorrel, bay, pinto and roan and will be available for adoption on Saturday and Sunday in Challis. “All of the animals available for adoption come from central Idaho’s rangelands. There is a nice selection of animals in healthy condition available to good homes,” said Kevin Lloyd, BLM Rangeland Management Specialist.

In order to make going home with a living symbol of the historic west easier for a potential adopter, the BLM will provide local delivery within a 50-mile radius (special restrictions do apply) for those who do not have a way of transporting their newly adopted animal. A buddy horse may be adopted for $25 after a first horse has been adopted at the regular fee of $125. Previews will be offered from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, with gentling demonstrations to take place later in the afternoon, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The silent bid adoption begins on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and will be open for one hour. Following the silent adoption, the remaining horses will be available on first-come, first-served basis through Sunday at noon.

The featured clinician is Mike Seal, a horse trainer from Salmon, Idaho. Seal will conduct gentling demonstrations later in the afternoon on Friday and all day Saturday. All horses that are gentled during these clinics will be offered for adoption. Seal will also be available during the adoption to answer questions.

“All horses available for adoption have been de-wormed, and received vaccinations for common equine conditions and diseases,” according to Lloyd. “Adopters will receive complete health care records, as well as herd management and other equine information for their newly adopted animals.” All individuals must be pre-approved before they can bid on a horse. Applications may be filled out at the adoption and approved on-site.

To adopt a wild horse, you must be 18 years of age, never have been convicted of animal abuse or cruelty, and have the proper facilities and transportation. Animals are to be transported the day they are adopted. No animal will be loaded in an unsafe trailer.

Challis is the first of three adoptions, and following is more detailed information about the upcoming adoptions:

· Challis, Idaho on August 28-30 at the Challis BLM Wild Horse Corrals:

o Gentling demonstrations will be offered by Mike Seal of Salmon, Idaho. Some halter trained horses may be available for adoption.

o Directions: Go 3 miles south of Challis to Hot Springs Road. Turn left on Hot Springs Road and follow the road 2.8 miles. Hot Springs Road will veer left; continue travelling straight to the wild horse corrals, which are visible from the junction.

·         Boise, Idaho on September 11-13 at the Boise BLM Wild Horse Corrals:
o   Gentling demonstrations will be offered by Mario Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho.
o   On September 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., the Treasure Valley Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen will conduct a packing demonstration.
o   On September 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., members of Treasure Valley area 4-H groups will participate in a trail challenge using horses gathered in Challis and available for adoption in Boise.

· Blackfoot, Idaho on September 18-20 at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds:

o Gentling demonstrations will be offered by Mario Johnson of Georgetown, Idaho.

For more information on the Wild Horse and Burro Program and requirements for adoption, call 1-866-MUSTANGS, or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.

The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for managing the nation’s public lands. The wild horses and burros on the public rangelands are managed consistent with BLM’s multiple land-use mission, which takes into consideration natural resources such as wildlife and vegetation and other users such as livestock and recreation. With the passage of the Wild Horses and Burros Act of 1971, a responsibility of BLM is to preserve and protect wild horses and burros and to manage for healthy rangelands. When an overpopulation of wild horses and burros exists on the range, the excess animals are removed and offered to the general public for adoption.