The BLM, in conjunction with 4-H, sponsors a set of 4-H projects to those willing to take on the challenge of training wild mustangs removed from BLM land and auctioning them at the Eastern Idaho State Fair.  

The BLM/Mustang program is for 4H youth 14 and up. They are able to obtain a yearling mustang to train for 90 days. The object is to gentle and train the mustang to be able to complete an in-hand trail course at the Eastern Idaho State Fair. The Mustangs are then up for auction/adoption the next day. The money from the auction goes back to the club with the $25 adoption fee going back to the BLM. In many clubs, the money goes back to the trainer.  And to be fair, often the horses go back with the trainer as well!

The mustangs are brought by the BLM to a designated area to be picked up. This year, there were three Oneida county kids who worked the horses over the summer. After choosing their horses, the trainers had 90 days to work with them. Training started slowly, with the horses getting used to the 4H member.  Activities like feeding, watering, and just hanging out closer and closer to the mustang are the first steps, until they can get the first touch. Once that is done things start moving a little faster, touching, then haltering. Once the trainer is able to catch the mustang and start moving it around in a controlled space then they start introducing new objects and more obstacles.  

Before the auction itself, the trainers present a demonstration to prospective buyers in which they answer questions about their horses, and demonstrate their skills.  A lot of this involves demonstrating the horses’ ability to not react to actions or objects that an untamed horse would not tolerate.  It’s a fun exercise that often involves tarps, blankets, pool noodles, and even yoga balls!  By the time of the demonstration, the trainers have become quite familiar with their horses, and show off their strengths to their advantage. 

Over the course of a 90 days that can seem like both an eternity and a blink of an eye, the trainers become intensely familiar with their horses, and often create lifelong bonds.  It is a whirlwind of emotion, hard work, and friendship.  And for those looking to go on in working with horses, it is an irreplaceable training regimen.   

With only a small number of trainers accepting the challenge, their skill levels were certainly impressive.  

In this year’s mustang class, Oneida County was represented by BreElle Ferree, Paisley Mosey, and Addysin Murdock.  Their horses ultimately auction for $1500, $1200, and $1900 respectively, though the point was the bond that they made with their horses, and the change they made to both of their lives.

The trainers described their own experiences with the horses, and had the following to say:

BreElle Ferree—“Monroe”

“Hi! My name is BreElle, this is my second year doing the mustang program.  It has been such a fun time—I’ve loved the experience!  This year I chose a cure palomino filly and named her Monroe!  Monroe has brown and grey markings on her body, and slightly darker coloring on her front legs and hind quarters.  She is from the Twin Peaks CA HMA [Horse Management Area], which consists of 758,128 acres.  The horses in this area were originally thought to be descendants from Spanish stock.  Today the herd is descended from US Army cavalry remounts released prior to World War I, and historic draft and ranching stock.  Horses from this range are mostly bay, black, chestnut, and Appaloosa (where Monroe got her spots from?).  Monroe has been so fun from day one; we bonded very quickly and still have that connection!  I had to learn her learning style, and as I got to know her and gained her trust it became so much easier.  Monroe is a super social horse, she loves to see what’s going on and be around other horses and people.  Monroe has learned so much this summer.  I’m o proud of how much she has progressed, from not knowing if I would be able to show her at all at one point, to where she is now.  I love this little horse!”

Paisley Moyer—“Whiskey”

“Hi!  My name is Paisley, and this is my seventh year in 4-H and my first year in the Mustang Training Program.  This is my horse, Whiskey.  I took things slow with him at first so I could earn his trust, and it really paid off.  He’s such a gentle, kind soul who loves attention, and of course, treats! He’s a hard worker with a big heart and always wants to please.  I’m so proud of how far he’s come, and I’m excited to see him go to a great home where he can continue his training.  I can’t wait to see who he brings happiness to next!”

Addysin Murdock—“Sister”

“I’m Addysin.  This is my second year doing a mustang project.  My horse is named Sister.  Sister is a one-year old mustang from Twin Peaks, California.  She’s a very pretty dun and white pinto with one blue eye.  She has a lot of spirit to be wild but once she can trust you, she calms right down and wants to be best friends.  This horse has a lot of heart and always tries her best for me.  She is my second mustang that I’ve done for this program.  Over the summer we have done so much ground training and desensitizing, and she has come so far.  We have also done a trail course with lots of obstacles like a bridge, the “car wash,” backing the L and so much more.  I’m so proud of how far she’s come since I brought her home.”