I figured you’d enjoy seeing more pivotal moments in early gentling up close.

Chip (name attempt #3, we’ll see if this one is the charm), is our newest student. He’s a handsome 3yo West Douglas Creek CO Mustang gelding.

His adopters sent him to Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy to learn the basics and set him up for success when he goes home. We’re proud of this boy, he’s not been super easy but he’s trying hard.

I recently posted a video of him getting used to touch from a distance and the first “sniff”. Here’s the continuation of that. Short object – hand – halter within minutes and without fireworks. Boom.

With a shy Mustang especially breaking lessons down into bite sized pieces that feel manageable is so important to build their confidence.

Appropriately timed releases and knowing when to quit are equally as crucial. Steve Mantle said to me “Why would you go past a good place to get to a bad one?”

That’s such a good reminder to stop while things are going well. I like to say “Leave some fuel in the tank”, meaning leave them wanting more, feeling good about themselves and us and looking forward to the next session.

I try to put useful captions into these little clips. Is that helpful for you? Are you enjoying seeing our work up close and basically through the trainer’s eyes? Questions? Feedback? Let’s hear it in the comments.

If you know someone who would benefit from this or may want help gentling a wild one, we and many Mustangs would be ever so grateful to you for sharing this video

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#mustanggentling#makingmountainmustangmemories

The Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs are getting ready to move to a new winter pasture, which means dealing with potential hazards, making sure gates are closed and fences intact.

I almost didn’t ride the fenceline this time. I’d checked parts of it recently on horseback and drove by another section just a few days ago. I knew the rest of it is new and tight. Surely, I thought, that fence is solid.

I was so glad I rode it anyway. There’s little – aside from cattle or a vehicle going through it – that’ll mess up a section of fence like 100 elk on a mission to go someplace.

They had plowed right through one of the vintage sections of the fence and left behind tangled, stretched and broken wires and some sad, leaning fence posts.

Our lovely sunset ride ended as a walk in the dark by headlamp light so I could better assess the damage. With no horses in the pasture yet, I opted to kick that can of worms down the road until the next day.

Grateful to the guys who over the years have taken the time to teach me how to fix fence, I had the fenceline back in working condition by mid morning. Even without breaking any of the old wire and having it whip across my face.

I’ve learned to be gentle on those old fences until it’s time to roll up their brittle remains and put in all new strands.

Tonight I’m thankful for great horses, good dogs and winter grazing. Also for fence tools that work and for knowing how to use them.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses

#adoptalivinglegend#ridethebrand#mountains#sunset#winter#thankful#makingmountainmustangmemories

Our newest friend – the name situation is still under construction – is learning all the bare bones gentling basics.

This 3yo bay Mustang gelding from West Douglas Creek, CO came to Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy last Friday for gentling. He has a home His adopters entrusted him to us, a responsibility we take seriously.

He’s curious yet aloof, brave-ish and reserved all at the same time. Not crashing and darting around the pen, not exactly running up to me for sniffs and scratches either this early on.

So what do you do with a wild horse you can’t get your hands on yet?

A lot of useful things to prepare for that touch and lay the foundation for important skills he’ll need later on.

Neck rope, establishing directional control, moving hips and shoulders, leading, touching with objects all over his body, speed control.

Reducing the distance between us and touch with shorter objects. Teaching him to turn towards rather than away from me. Yielding to pressure.

Teaching him to give me either side or both eyes and how to read my body language.

Sharing space and relaxing together.

Building draw and creating softness.

He’s working on all of that while getting more comfortable with touch and me up close.

I caught our actual first touch, offered by me and initiated by him, on video, and thought you would appreciate it

A very happy update: Our 2025 calendars are almost gone. If you ordered one (or several) you helped us pay for Rosie’s new gate, reinforcements to Rohan’s shed and a substantial amount of work on our trailer. Putting in the new floor and rewiring it are next.

Mustangs and dirt roads are hard on equipment. We so appreciate your continued support in helping us help them! I hope you’ll enjoy your calendars even more, knowing you are making an immediate difference for the wild ones in our care

We currently have two lovely gentled Mustang mares, Aerin and Tillie, looking for their forever person. They are both such a joy to work with and would very much like to find a family for the holidays and beyond. Hauling can be arranged.

Check them out at w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

#BLMmustangs#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#mustanggentling#adoptalivinglegend#wildtowilling

#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

Tay Martin and I have been packing and shipping Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacycalendars all over the US and to Europe.

Thank you all so much for supporting what we do!

I love the images we selected for the 2025 calendars. Our Ambassador Mustangs, the two second hand German Shepherds and this beautiful state are just so photogenic

We hope that these images bring you joy and inspire you to get out there with your horses or to chase your dreams, whatever it takes and whatever they may be

Which one is your favorite?

We use the calendars, as well as our E t s y sh0p to raise funds for the wild horses in our care. To everyone who’s ordered calendars and items from our little sh0p, thank you! We’d love it if you tagged us in pictures with them and let us know how you like them!

L¡nk to sh0p: w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . e t s y . c o m

To get your own calendar – we have a handful left – PM us or reach us via or text. Info in video.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#bettertogether#backcountry#mountains#Colorado#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

Watching DG Rohan play on grass for the first time since he was gathered last fall was truly a sight to behold.

Rohan is adopted and while he’s waiting for a pick up date, he’s learning and doing some things that will help him be even better prepared for the transition to his new home.

Going off property, learning to respect different kinds of fences and being caught in a larger area are among those things.

It seems every mountain town around currently has a loose Mustang or two. I get it, stuff happens. Most of that stuff is preventable though.

At Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy our fencing is between 7 and 8 ft tall. Our wildies have to prove themselves as pretty trustworthy on a lead before we take them outside of that.

Even more so to go off property. And more so yet for me to take the lead off and let them play in an area where jumping out might actually be doable.

I like to do a whole lot of catch and release with a Mustang that’s just getting used to bigger spaces, ideally first alone and then with a herd.

Breaking things down in such a way that it’s really easy for these guys to make the “right” choice sure beats having to undo the aftermath of rushing, in all areas of their training.

What has worked well for you as you’ve transitioned a gentled Mustang from pen to turn out and maintained the relationship/kept them catchable?

This lovely Twin Peaks, CA Mustang filly was born on the range in 2022. She’s tall, nearly 15hh now, and string tests to 15.3hh mature height.

Tillie has requested a home for the holidays and beyond, someone who is going to enjoy a curious, affectionate and spirited young mare to bring along, grow and adventure with.

Tillie would do well in English disciplines, endurance, on the trail or on the ranch. Anywhere a tall, smart, strong, ground-covering horse is desirable.

This is how Tillie learns: “You want me to…what??? Absolutely not!!! Wait… Nevermind, I’ve got it. We’re good. Moving on. Next?”

New things are a big deal the very first time and a non-event after. She doesn’t get dangerous, just outraged, and channels her usually dormant inner Thoroughbred.

She always greets us at the gate, eager to interact and go do something. She has been trimmed and thoroughly enjoyed annoying our farrier, wiggling just enough to be a pest but not enough to actually jump around or pull her foot away.

Tillie is easily entertained and always looking for low-key mischief to get into, as you can see in this video.

She’s easy to catch, halters and leads, ponies, loads and ties. She’s been saddled and bridled, gets along with other horses and dogs and enjoys going for walks.

She likes crossing obstacles, leading or sending, knows how to back, move hips and shoulders. She stands for grooming and spraying.

Tillie likes people as well as other horses, making her less prone to being herd bound/buddy sour. That’s important in a future adventure partner that may be asked to go out alone.

She is Sale Authority (SA), meaning she can travel outside of the US, to a suitable home approved through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy

Tillie is located in Guffey, CO, hauling can be arranged.

Please comment, like and share to get this cutie seen by someone who is just the right fit for her and she for them

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#adoptme#adoptalivinglegend#wildtowilling#wildhorses#makingmountainmustangmemories

I’m writing this the morning of #ColoradoGivesDay, just after I posted about Rapunzel’s adoption and a fundraising ask for this last big official giving day of the year.

My heart is so full. We received donations this morning even before I got the post up. It’s a COLD, sunny, snow-covered Rocky Mountain morning, think single digits (F, which translates to REALLY COLD for our followers who measure temperature in °C).

14 Mustangs happily munching on all the hay they can possibly want to keep them warm on a winter day like this. Thanks to you.

Our followers – nearly 50,000 between our different social media accounts and our website – raised enough to cover the last load of hay and part of the next one leading up to and following last week’s #GivingTuesday.

As someone who is just now learning to lean into asking for support on behalf of the nonprofit organization I founded back in 2019 and am leading with the help of a small and wonderful team, I’m blown away and humbled by your kindness and generosity.

Thank you for believing in us. For helping us help Mustangs and adopters. For supporting a young nonprofit organization. For holding space for me as a human to learn and grow with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and the Mustangs we are lucky enough to meet, mentor and learn from each year.

It’s been a year of change, hope, loss, adventure, growth, reflection.

Losing Cedar this spring has been harder than I’ll ever be able to express. Nearly losing Lacy last year, not knowing the outcome for 8 months, was one of the heaviest things I’ve ever experienced. Last fall I put my sweet old lady Blanca down. It was time but it’ll never be easy.

I never made time to process until it caught up with me this year, slowed me down and forced me to reflect rather than run to the work that means so much to me.

We meet a lot of wonderful horses and people through wild horses. The 3 Mustangs pictured here, Spur, Rock and Amber, hold a special place in my heart and are healing some of the pain from the loss of and worry about others that mean(t) so much to me.

Life is fragile, horses are fragile and relationships are fragile too. To experience beauty, love and hope after heartbreak and fear is something I’m deeply grateful for. And feeling human again after finally listening to my body.

These 3 are staying with us for continued training. You’ll be able to follow them here. Whether they permanently join our Ambassador Mustang herd or are available later on to just the right amazing adopter, you’ll be the first to know

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#grateful#bettertogether#learning#community#growth

#NonProfit#makingmountainmustangmemories

If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ve either met or seen pictures, videos, stories of Rapunzel, the adorable Ponystang with all the luscious hair.

She’s been with us the longest so far this year…until last Friday morning when one of our trusted haulers, Brice Bebout , picked her up and safely delivered her to her new home in Washington State the following day.

It’s because of you all that Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy can do this.

Keep a wildie until they’re not just “gentled” but actually “gentle” and truly ready for their new homes. And until the right home comes around, which can take time as they are all unique in their needs, personalities, learning speeds and talents.

I’d encourage you to watch the video for more on Rapunzel’s story and to share it with a friend who would enjoy seeing a happy ending – or rather new beginning – on this December Tuesday.

Today is also #ColoradoGivesDay . You don’t have to be in Colorado to participate.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, CO. We help and work with Mustangs and adopters nationwide and beyond.

Our EIN # is 84-4045358. Your donations may be tax deductible (ask your accountant).

Any contributions made today are going towards 1) our trailer fund. It’s getting a new floor put in so we can continue to safely haul Mustangs, and 2) our “footing fund”. We’re in need of more crusher fines to improve our round pen footing to make year-round work with the wild ones safer and more comfortable.

You can support us here:

https://www.coloradogives.org/…/Wild-Horse-Outreach-And…

If you’d like to help us feed the wild ones, as hay is our biggest ongoing expense:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/942059687818995

Other ways to support our work (you’re welcome to earmark your contribution for what you want it to go to):

PayPal: paypal.me/wildhorseoutreachWHO

Venmo: @wildhorseoutreachadvocacy

CashApp: $wildhorseoutreach

Through our website: https://wildhorseoutreach.org/index.php/support-whoa

Givelify: https://www.givelify.com/…/wild-horse…/donation/amount

Via mail:

Wild Horse Outreach& Advocacy

P.O.Box 113

Guffey, CO 80820

Ordering our 2025 calendar, ordering fun items for yourself or loved ones on Etsy https://wildhorseoutreach.etsy.com and sending us items from our Amazon and Chewy wishlists is also so appreciated!

While donations always help, every kind word, message, share, like and comment also make all the difference. We’re all human and kindness is probably the greatest gift we can give to others

I try to post stories every day to keep you up to date, because I can do that with one eye open and 3 functioning brain cells at the end of the day, so if you don’t want to wait for the next post to know what we and the Mustangs are up to and how they are doing, keep an eye on our FB and IG stories as well

#BLMmustang#AmericanMustang#wildhorses#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#adopted#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

After the sunset walk with Spur, join us for a sunrise ride with our Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs and two greenies, Juniper and Rock! More info in video!

Ponying is one great training tool among others that I like to use as we work towards riding or packing. I start once a Mustang is fairly comfortable with being approached, handled as well as with leading and lunging at all gaits from the ground.

We start in a small round pen, then venture out to larger, safely fenced areas and navigate some obstacles. Once that works well, we go out, still on a fenced property. After that, the world is our canvas and we go exploring for real. First close-by, then we trailer out.

This is the first bigger ponying adventure for Rock, and one of the first and likely the longest and most intense for Tay Martin ‘s DG Juniper whom she adopted from us as a weanling and has done a great job with.

Questions, input, your own ponying experiences? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

On another note…

I want to profusely thank everyone who has contributed to or shared our Giving Tuesday fundraiser and sent items from our wishlists. You all are amazing and we couldn’t do this work without you!

If it takes me a bit longer to get back to you, I’m prioritizing sleep for the first time since high school. I’ve never been a partier, but I’ve always thought that if I needed my body to work and study, rest for 3-4h and then start all over again, it should do that and not complain.

Well, I’ve recently discovered that it’s not actually supposed to work that way and no longer does, darn it. I’m trying to do better so I can keep the engine running smoothly while helping Mustangs and doing other life things besides gentling wild horses and posting about them online. Thank you for understanding

Next Tuesday is #ColoradoGivesDay2024 . It’s beyond me why all these big giving days are so close together AND to the holidays but here we are. We will be posting another fundraiser to benefit the wildies we gentle and find wonderful homes for then. In the meantime, there is still time to contribute to our #GivingTuesday fundraiser that goes towards covering the next load of hay for the Mustangs!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/942059687818995

We appreciate all of you so much. Thank you for supporting our nonprofit organization’s mission and for the great community we’re building here!

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildhorses#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#nonprofit#horses#sunrise#adventure#mountains#winter#friends#makingmountainmustangmemories