Eastern Idaho 4-H Clubs to Showcase 10 Trained Yearling Mustangs: Trail Challenge and Adoption during Eastern Idaho State Fair
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BLACKFOOT, ID – An impressive number of eastern Idaho 4-H club members recently jumped at the chance to train a wild horse yearling to prepare for the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. On Sunday, Sept. 4, around 1:00 p.m. in the West Events Arena at the Eastern Idaho Fairgrounds, 4-H members ages 14 -18 will demonstrate what they have taught their horses as they navigate a trail course that will include stepping over logs, backing through a narrow log path and loading into a horse trailer.
These horses, gathered from Idaho’s Hardtrigger, Sands Basin and Black Mountain Herd Management Areas following the 2016 Soda Fire, will be available for adoption by competitive bid at the fair on Sept. 10, at 3:00 p.m. in the West Events Arena. The horses will be available for viewing Sept. 3-5 and Sept. 9-10 in the Light Horse Barn. Following is the list of participating 4-H Clubs: Ghost Riders, Madison County; Victor Horse Club, Teton County; Country Kids, Bonneville County; Silver Spurs, Bingham County; Trail Blazers, Fremont County; Easy Riders, Butte County.
"I have really enjoyed seeing the expansion of this program into eastern Idaho," said Challis Wild Horse Specialist Kevin Lloyd. "Our 4-H clubs are so enthusiastic to train these horses, and they learn so much during the experience – this program truly offers a dual benefit to both the horse and the 4-H member. It’s a special opportunity for a potential adopter to take home a horse from Idaho’s rangelands – and one that already has a basic handling foundation in place.”
The partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and the University of Idaho 4-H Extension program continues to grow in popularity. Since its inception in 2009, over 250 horses have been adopted and $15,000 has been raised for 4-H clubs in southwestern and eastern Idaho.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.