The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a wild horse adoption event at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot on August 30, featuring ten yearling mustangs trained by local 4-H youth clubs. These youths have developed skills in gentling and handling the horses, which they will showcase through demonstrations at the fair. Interested adopters must be at least 18 years old and meet BLM facility requirements, with ownership titles transferring after one year.

Since 2009, the BLM Idaho Wild Horse and Burro Program, in partnership with University of Idaho Extension 4-H, has successfully placed over 400 wild horses into private care, saving taxpayers millions and supporting youth development. The program balances wild horse populations on public lands as mandated by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, periodically removing excess animals for adoption to maintain ecological balance. More information about the program and adoption process is available online.