Saddle Up, Idaho! Brings Horse Heritage to the State Museum Saturday
Idaho’s horse heritage gets a full-day spotlight in Boise this Saturday, with a free Idaho State Museum program built around the people, traditions and communities connected to horses across the state.
Saddle Up, Idaho! runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Idaho State Museum in Boise. The Idaho State Historical Society is making the day free to the public.
Rather than treating horse history as one narrow chapter, the event mixes music, demonstrations, hands-on activities, community organizations and food into a broader look at how horses have shaped life and culture around Idaho.
A full day, not just a museum stop
The schedule starts with crafts and resource tables at 10 a.m. and continues through the afternoon. The Historical Society says visitors can expect hands-on activities for all ages, live demonstrations, local food trucks and live music.
Great Bait is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon, Good Morning June from noon to 1 p.m., and Not Your Granny Square Dance with River City Rounders is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. with square-dance calling and lessons.
Horse heritage through more than one lens
The participating resource groups show how broad the subject can be. The event lists Rides for Joy, the Idaho Horse Council, Escaramuza Reinas del Valle, Horses for Clean Water, Boise State Public Radio and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument among the organizations taking part.
Cowboy poet Sam Matisse is also scheduled for four half-hour appearances between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., adding another piece of Western storytelling to the day.
A useful Saturday option for families
Crafts and resource tables are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while food trucks are expected from noon to 4 p.m. The overall event continues until 5 p.m.
Because admission for Saddle Up, Idaho! is free, it is an easy way to spend part of a Saturday in Julia Davis Park without committing to a ticketed special event.
Before you go
Saddle Up, Idaho! is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Idaho State Museum, 610 Julia Davis Drive in Boise.
Event schedules can change, so check the Idaho State Historical Society event page before heading out, especially if you are going for a particular performance or activity.
Published and last updated October 7, 2026 · IdahoLens.com