BAKER CITY, Oregon__On Wednesday, June 14, the Bureau of Land Management is holding a Wild Horse educational event at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management invites families, youth and visitors to learn how public lands connect them to America’s natural and cultural heritage
Visitors can learn about wild horses on western lands, see a trainer doing a demonstration on getting the “first touch” in on a wild horse, and meet an adopted wild horse. BLM Wild Horse and Burro specialists will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about the herds, adoption program, and history of the program. Two wild horses will be on site and available for adoption. The film “Unbranded” will be shown in the Leo Adler Theater at 10:30 and 12:30. There will be educational and fun materials for both adults and kids.
Guest trainer is Lesley Neuman. She has been working with wild horses since 1999 and has been involved with the Mustang Heritage foundation since 2006. She is known as a gifted trainer with a rare ability to understand, communicate with, and gentle wild and unhandled horses. She also has an uncommon gift for communicating with her human audience, while in the process of guiding a wild horse from panicked captivity to comfort and confidence in humans.
Norm the mustang is an adopted wild horse who assists Debbie and Calvin Henshaw with the program “Horse Sense”. This ongoing program explains how a horse’s habits, senses, and reactions have helped them survive against predators throughout time.
The documentary film “Unbranded” will be showing and runs one hour 46 minutes, The film follows the story of 4 young Texans who adopted 16 wild mustangs, trained them, and undertook an epic journey on horseback border to border from Mexico to Canada.
The Bureau of Land Management National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8 and $4.50 for seniors; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are also accepted. Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events or visit oregontrail.blm.gov.