Wild horse adoption set for Idaho
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 11:05 AM PDT
CHALLIS (AP) — An official with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management says he’s concerned there won’t be the usual interest in adopting wild horses captured in Idaho due to the economy.
‘‘We’re hoping for the best, but finding good homes for them has been tougher in the slow economy,’’ Kevin Lloyd, the agency’s herd manager, told the Post Register. ‘‘Nationally, we placed almost 6,000 wild horses just a few years ago. Last year, it was under 4,000.’’
The BLM is putting up for adoption about 150 horses captured in July near Challis in central Idaho.
The first adoption is being held Friday to Sunday at the BLM’s Challis Wild Horse Corral.
Adoption fees are $125 for an individual horse and $150 for two.
Lloyd said he hopes to place 50 horses at that first adoption.
A second adoption opportunity is planned at the BLM’s wild horse corral in Boise from Sept. 11 to 13, and a third at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds in Blackfoot from Sept. 18 to 20.
The Challis herd, Lloyd said, have a large amount of draft-horse blood and tend to have a tall, chesty look associated with a Belgian or Percheron.
‘‘They can make outstanding pack animals,’’ Lloyd said. ‘‘At the same time, we have pony and saddle-bred blood in the herd, too. There are a lot in this gather that I think will be excellent riding horses.’’
