Trainers approved to adopt wild horses or burros from BLM public rangelands will pick up their animals in Boise on Feb. 22-23 for the 2025 Branded Bonanza event in Nampa. There are 43 wild horses and several burros adopted by 25 youth and 40 adult trainers, with more available for adoption.
BLM Boise District Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Raul Trevino stated that the training events help place these animals into private care successfully, with trainers showing progress by the time of the event in July. The Branded Bonanza, building on the success of Mustang Mania, aims to improve horsemanship skills for trainers and prepare the wild horses and burros for domestic life.
The Branded Bonanza has led to the adoption, training, and competition of roughly 900 wild horses and burros in the last eight years, making it BLM Idaho’s largest single adoption event. The goal is not to win, but to improve horsemanship and ensure the animals are prepared for their new homes, ultimately helping sustainably manage wild horse and burro herds.
