The Warm Springs Rodeo Grounds will host the 6th Annual Warm Springs Reservation Horse Sale this Saturday, May 23, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event, led by Harry Hisatake and the Hisatake Ranch family, is part of an ongoing effort by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to manage the reservation’s large feral horse population.
Why the Sale Matters
The reservation currently has an estimated feral horse population of over 4,000 animals — a number the Tribes’ Natural Resources group is working to reduce to approximately 1,500. That level of overpopulation strains the land and competes with native plants and wildlife for water and forage across the reservation’s diverse high desert landscape.
The annual sale is a central component of that management strategy, offering an outlet for horses that have been gathered from the range and prepared for new owners. The operation uses a combination of traditional horsemanship, ATVs, and modern tools like drones to locate and gather animals across the reservation’s rugged terrain.
A Reputation That Reaches Overseas
The Warm Springs horses have earned a following that extends far beyond Central Oregon. Buyers have come from as far away as France to attend the sale, drawn by the quality and spirit of horses raised on the high desert range.
“Once you get them to where they trust you, they are the greatest horses you can have,” said Harry Hisatake.
The horses, shaped by generations of living on open range in challenging terrain, are prized for their hardiness, sure-footedness, and endurance — traits that attract buyers from across disciplines, from trail riding to working ranch operations.
Open to the Public
The sale is open to the public and takes place at the Warm Springs Rodeo Grounds. Prospective buyers and those interested in seeing the horses are welcome. The event runs from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM this Saturday.
The Warm Springs Rodeo Grounds are located on the Warm Springs Reservation, approximately 12 miles west of Madras on U.S. Highway 26.