What we do at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is mostly kindergarten and elementary school for wild horses as they find their way in the domestic world.
We’ve had some incredible Mustangs this year. Some took to doing “people things” like fish to water. Others, usually the more sensitive or “high octane” ones will try their heart out to do what’s asked but need extra time to relax into it.
With horses like that – Nash here, grey 4yo Antelope Hills WY Mustang gelding , being one of them – it’s extra important to focus less on teaching lots of new things or expecting significant progress all the time, and more on breaking tasks down and getting the basics solid in order to set them up for success and a good life with humans
That looks like actually teaching them to relax their bodies and minds, to look to the human for guidance, to self regulate, to think and respond rather than react their way through a tough spot.
There’s a big difference in a horse – Mustang or domestic – that will merely go through the motions or tolerate something and one that’s truly ok and engaged with what they are asked to do.
It pays to take the extra time to get the foundation right in order to pave a smooth path forward rather than ignoring little things that later come back and cause bigger issues down the line.
Example: Rushing to ride a horse before he’s truly ok with touch EVERYWHERE, accepts tack, yields softly to halter pressure in and outside of a safely enclosed area and is relaxed about picking up all four feet, can get excited and calm down again, and stay responsive at all gaits from the ground.
If you’re experiencing difficulties with your Mustang or have questions about the gentling process, we offer in person – at your facility or ours – as well as remote coaching.
Nash and several other gentled Mustangs are available for adoption. Check them out here:
PC: Our intern Kyle Dobson
Halter and lead: Rowdy’s Ropes
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