Horse auction slated Saturday

Twelve wild horses, all gentled and trained to the saddle, will be struttin' their stuff Saturday during the wild horse adoption at Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City.

Trained by inmates, the horses were schooled for 90 days using resistance-free methods. Hank Curry, the program's lead trainer, said the animals have passed the test and are ready for new homes.

"We put beginner riders on these horses to see if they will perform," he said. "There aren't any horse-trader tricks. We want to find permanent homes for these horses and we want the people and the horses to be happy."

The horses came both the Bureau of Land Management and Nevada Department of Agriculture.

Two of the animals, Brewski and Bella, are mustangs owned by the Reno Wild Horse Association. The pair were rescued when their original adopters were no longer able to keep them.

"I hate to let them go," said Cindy Jacobsen of the association. "I hope we can find someone who can take them both. They've been together for so long."

Ranging in age from 3 to 8 years old, all the horses except Bella are geldings and come in an array of colors, including black, bay, sorrel and paint.

Those wanting to adopt a mustang must meet certain requirements. Adoption agents for these horses are Dawn Lappin, who can be reached at 851-4817, and Shirley Allen at 887-8819.

Photos and descriptions of the animals are on the Internet at www.silverstateindustries.com.

The prison can be reached by taking Highway 395 to Carson City's Fifth Street. Turn east on Fifth Street south to Edmonds Drive and take the dirt road west, just past the prison buildings.

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.

IF YOU GO

What: Wild horse adoption

When: Viewing at 10 a.m., auction at 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: Warm Springs Correctional Center