Earlier this month our sweet, big and quirky bay roan Stewart Creek WY Mustang gelding Spur left with his new human, or so we thought.
Greg had come out a couple of weeks prior all the way from Wickham Ranch in Indiana to pick up Bordo Atravesado NM Mustang filly Valkyrie, adopted by his wife Shellie.
Shellie had told me that Greg was in the market for a new riding horse for trail rides and potentially some EXCA competitions, and was interested in meeting and trying out Spur. While Shellie spent some time getting to know her new filly, Greg and I went on a true Colorado mountain trail ride: scenic and a touch sketchy. Spur did well with a new rider, some serious climbing and a couple of fun gallops.
Greg did great when Spur had a young horse moment, thought he knew better than the silly humans, and danced around a bit.
Shortly thereafter it was decided, the Wickhams were each getting a Mustang and would be making another drive out west to pick up Spur once his travel paperwork was complete, then stay in the area for a few days to enjoy some local trails.
Finally the day came, Greg got to pick up his new Mustang and off they went, going on a trail ride the same afternoon.
I was happysad (somehow that’s a word now and it fits) for days, missing the big goober while also being glad he’d found a great home with a couple that makes their living with and dedicates their life to horses. He would be getting the attention he craves as well as the guidance he needs, and lots of saddle time because this boy likes to work.
It took all of 3 days of daily updates and pictures for the tides to turn and I got the following message:
“What an incredible wrap to the week. I have to be honest though: Greg stole Vander, and Spur and I fell in love. 
“
Shellie now has 2 Mustangs and Greg has none but he did gain his wife’s big, beautiful palomino Quarter Horse. Apparently it just fits best that way, good for them for sorting that out. Spur deserved a home – they all do – where his humans are crazy about him and prepared to see it through and grow alongside him, hiccups, quirks, misunderstandings and all because those are inevitable, and he found that.
Evidently Valkyrie and Spur are already ruling the roost in their new Indiana herd, enjoying the grass, going on lots of trail adventures and making more people curious about Mustangs. If Greg ever wants to try again for a Mustang of his own, we’d be happy to support him in that, even if that may mean 3 for Shellie, 0 for Greg. They’re also the most adorable couple, so I’m sure it would all work out for the best.
I’ve heard it said that Mustangs are like potato chips, you can’t have just one (or two). That’s certainly held true for me, Tay Martin , our multiple repeat adopters and a lot of my friends, some enabled by me, many not 
Happy trails to them all and happy new beginning to Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy alumni Spur and Valkyrie!
