Saddle trained and ready to ride, horses up for adoption

It will be a red-letter day for nine horses and 14 foals at the Warm Springs Correctional Center on Saturday.

Captured by the Bureau of Land Management, the animals will be up for adoption and going to their first homes. Bidding for the horses starts at $125. Bidders are required to register with the Bureau of Land Management.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Department of Prisons operate the facility on Fifth and Edmonds streets, a six-acre parcel at the Warm Springs Correctional Center where animals are trained and gentled.

In Ju the agriculture department did not have any horses available for the program, but officials at the Bureau of Land Management were more than happy to help by providing horses from the Callahan Range near Battle Mountain.

In addition to nine saddle-trained geldings, 14 foals aged 5 to 6 months have been halter broken and tamed. The young ones should be ready to break in about two years, according to the program's lead trainer, Hank Curry.

The prisoners started the horses in late June. Curry, who said his specialty is teaching roping horses, started working with this training program just three weeks ago.

The animals have been with their trainers up to seven hours a day, five days a week, using gentle, resistance-free training. Curry said they will make good trail or endurance horses. About three will be good with beginning riders, the rest suitable for more experienced riders. "These prisoners have done a remarkable job," he said. "They have limited experience, a lot of guts and a real feeling for these horses. I've trained them to be more user friendly for the general public, the average rider."

Horses can also be adopted at the Bureau of Land Management's Palomino Valley facility north of Reno, but for Saturday's adoption, bidders can register at the Warm Springs facility the day of the event. Call the Palomino Springs Corrals at (775) 475-2222.

Carson Country 4-H club members will be selling an assortment of equipment, including bridles, English riding helmets, western hats, bits and horse blankets at the Saturday auction. The tack was donated by a store that recently closed and all is new and the proceeds will go to the program, Barnum said.

Viewing begins at 10 a.m. The competitive silent auction starts at 11 a.m. Participants are asked to enter the facility through the rear entrance on Edmonds Drive. For security reasons, no one in blue clothing will be admitted.

IF YOU GO

What: Bureau of Land Management adoption of saddle-trained horses and weanlings

When: 10 a.m. Saturday

Where: Warm Springs Correctional Center