From Range to Ring: Wild Horses begin their journey to Branded Bonanza

Over the past 10 years, BLM Idaho has placed more than 1,000 wild horses and burros into private care through what is now known as the Forever Branded partnership. Building on the success of Mustang Mania, the program pairs approved trainers with adopted wild horses or burros in January or February, launching a months-long journey of training and preparation for competition at the Branded Bonanza event, scheduled for August 7–9 this year.

During a chilly, but sunny January weekend at the Boise Wild Horse Off-Range Corral, 136 animals were adopted and picked up, some headed to California and Missouri for Forever Branded events, and 128 animals slated to compete in the Idaho Branded Bonanza event.

“It’s just incredible – I would say we have about 75% new people signed up for this year’s Branded Bonanza,” said Forever Branded Event and Adoption Director Stacie Zimmerman.

The program offers multiple divisions, with a wide array of in-hand and riding classes for both youth and adults. Registration opens February 1 and remains open through April 1 for those who decide they would like to participate and qualify to adopt a wild horse or burro. Visit Branded Bonanza - Forever Branded to learn how to apply and the available locations to pick up a wild horse or burro.

Placing 136 wild horses or burros into private care represents a savings of over $2 million in caring costs for the American taxpayer. “Our partnership with Forever Branded has been instrumental in helping us place a significant number of animals into qualified homes,” said BLM Boise District Wild Horse & Burro Specialist Raul Trevino. “When a wild horse or burro has a modicum of training, it really eases the transition into private care.”

The BLM manages wild horses and burros on public lands to maintain healthy herds on healthy public rangelands, as required by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Animals selected for the Idaho Branded Bonanza event originated from overpopulated public rangelands managed by the BLM in Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, and other western states. Wild horses and burros gathered for population management purposes are made available for adoption and/or sale to qualified homes. Animals that are not adopted or sold are cared for by the BLM for the remainder of their lives.