First Nations Online Horse Market to sell horses impacted by wildfire

Warm Springs, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A rancher in Warm Springs has launched an online marketplace to sell wild horses after wildfires in Northern Jefferson County damaged grazing land on the reservation.

The Bench fire has burned more 67,000 acres in Warm Springs, including land used for grazing by wild horses. Smith and his family have operated a horse ranch in Warm Springs for generations, where they domesticate and sell wild horses. Now he's started the “First Nations Online Horse Market” to manage an influx of horses he's taken in during the fire. Because the surrounding land was heavily burned they belive releasing horses back into the wild is not an option.

During the fire, access to the ranch was blocked, which stopped him from having an in-person auction. This pushed Smith to go online.

Smith said the effort is designed to find homes for individual horses and save them from being culled or sold en mass.

A rodeo veteran himself, smith sees a lot of beauty and potentional in these horses “These are quality horses. And they got so much, ability, you know, that they need to be out there being utilized, you know, in the sporting event world, or there’s tons of things that these horses are capable of doing,” Smith said.

Because Smith cares for animals on his property and provides food for wild horses on the reservation, the ranch requires more feed and veterinary services than in previous years.

To that end, Smith also started organization called “Mustangs-The Native American Way.” The group was created to collect support for his ranching efforts and the horses he manages. Smith is also seeking to establish partnerships with other local equine groups in the region.

Community members interested in acquiring a horse or providing support for the ranch can contact the Jason Smith Ranch directly for more information. The ranch can be reached at 203-253-1412. Inquiries can also be sent via email to jasonsmithranch@gmail.com.