RENO — Youth members of 4-H on July 30 will show then auction off wild horses they’ve been training as part of a halter-started wild horse and burro program. The event starts at 9 a.m. at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Equestrian Center on Valley Road and Sadleir Way in Reno.
Six wild horses are up for adoption at the event, which is in its third year. The youth received the horses as either weanlings or yearlings from the Bureau of Land Management and have spent 100-120 days working with the horses to prepare them for adoption.
UNR Extension officials, which manage the state’s 4-H Youth Development Program, said the BLM’s successful partnership with other 4-H programs led to the program launching in Nevada.
“They trust 4-H and trust Extension, and they know they will be able to work with youth already familiar with horses to foster and provide training to prepare these horses to be companions at new forever homes,” Sarah Chvilicek, Extension 4-H Program manager, said. “They want to find a way to rehome wild horses because the horses are healthy animals, and they want to give these animals a chance.”
The youth will be judged on showmanship and their ability to train and care for the animals. Each animal will be presented and taken through an obstacle course by its handler. Obstacles include walking through barrels, being touched on the back, having a flag nearby and jumping over blocks.
Bidding for adoption will begin following the youth demonstrations. Bids start at $150, and individuals interested in adopting the animals must meet the Bureau of Land Management adoption requirements. Proceeds for the event will be split among BLM, the Washoe County 4-H Horse Program and the youth who raised the horses.
Source: UNR Extension
