CHALLIS, Idaho — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Challis Field Office is seeking good homes for wild horses by hosting an adoption event on Friday, Jan. 31 through Saturday, Feb. 1. The event will take place at the Challis Off-Range Wild Horse Corral Facility south of Challis, just off the Upper Hot Springs Road. The horses were recently gathered from the Challis Wild Herd Management Area. Around 70 wild horses, ranging in age from 1 to 5 years old will be available for adoption.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. A silent competitive bid adoption will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. Horses may be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis following the competitive bid process. Training demonstrations will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Demonstrations will be conducted by Georgetown wild horse trainer Mario Johnson. Additionally, the Challis Off-Range Wild Horse Corrals will be open for public viewing Jan. 25, 26 and 30 from noon to 4 p.m.
To qualify to adopt, you must be 18 years of age, have approved facilities to keep the animal(s), and proper transportation home for the animal(s) from the event site. BLM staff will load each animal, with the new owner’s halter and lead rope if requested, into a BLM-approved trailer provided by the adopter.
Through the new Adoption Incentive Program, qualified adopters are eligible to receive $500 within 60 days of the adoption date and an additional $500 within 60 days of titling for each animal, which normally occurs one year from the adoption date. All untrained animals are now $25. The incentive is only available for untrained animals that are eligible for adoption at BLM facilities, off-site events or on the agency’s Online Corral website.
The BLM offers wild horses and burros gathered from public lands in the West to qualified individuals who must demonstrate humane care for the animal. Wild horses are known for their sure-footedness, strength, intelligence and endurance. With kindness and patience, these animals can be trained for many uses. All animals available have been examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, de-wormed, and have a current negative Coggins test.
A variety of photos of the Challis horses available for adoption are located here.
For more information and adoption qualifications, call the BLM at 1-866-4MUSTANGS (1-866-468-7826) or visit the BLM website.
