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BOISE, ID – Since February, 4-H members from the Treasure and Magic Valleys (Purple Sage Riders, Gem County; Desperados, Ada County; Lonestar Riders, Boise County; Bridle Bratts, Twin Falls County) have been gentling wild horse weanlings (age 8 - 11 mos). These weanlings were gathered from the Owyhees following the Soda Fire last summer. Just this past weekend at the Boise Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse Corrals, they put their weanlings through the paces of a trail challenge to exhibit their mastery of being led, loaded into a horse trailer and having their feet handled. 

These four weanling horses will be available for viewing during the Idaho Horse Expo starting on Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. Horses available for adoption can be viewed in the Expo barns on the north end of the facility or at the BLM booth. Saturday in the Main Arena, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the 4-H trainers will present their horses in a trail challenge. Sunday April 17, the mustangs can be viewed from 9:00 a.m. until the final adoption preview being held in the main arena from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The horses will then be offered for adoption during a silent bidding process 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

Since the beginning of the partnership between the BLM and the University of Idaho’s 4-H Extension program, every weanling that has been trained has been adopted – that’s over 250 weanlings that have found good homes in Idaho or surrounding states. The 4-H groups have raised over $15,000 to support their clubs, a true win-win for all involved. 

To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must be 18 years of age, never have been convicted of animal abuse or cruelty and have the proper facilities and transportation. No animal will be loaded in an unsafe trailer. All individuals must be pre-approved before they can bid on a horse. Applications may be filled out at the Idaho Horse Expo BLM booth and approved onsite.