This sweet, drafty boy who reminded us so much of Gus (Same age, HMA, gather. They could absolutely be related.) has found his person and has started his new life in California

These little clips were taken during his last couple of weeks here with us at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy

We’re so happy for him and his adopter and excited to hear about his future and the adventures that await.

We have several gentled Mustangs – 1 to 5yo – currently looking for their humans. Feel free to check them out at

w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g , let your friends know who are looking and tag us on social media when you see someone searching.

We’ve been finding incredible homes for the wild horses in our care, let’s continue to do so. We appreciate your support, likes, shares, comments and donations so much.

We often have Mustangs that either need a little extra time to fully embrace life with humans or to find just the right person and situation. Thanks to you we can accommodate that!

Rope halters and leads: Rowdy’s Ropes

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildtowilling#bettertogether#nonprofit#adoptalivinglegend

#makingmountainmustangmemories

That’s a bit how life has felt recently. Wonderful, unexpected, dramatic and a bit crazy.

Lots of great new wild horses, experiences, and opportunities, the tragic loss of our 2yo DG filly Cedar after a pasture accident, Lacy catching a bug, me getting Covid for the 3rd time – so annoying – and this past Thursday taking the NCE (National Counseling Exam) at long last. 4hours , 200 questions while sweating bullets, with hours upon hours of studying leading up to it.

It’s been a wild ride and I apologize for the balls I’ve dropped along the way. It’s nice having a little more headspace now. One more important test (immigrant stuff) coming up.

I appreciate everyone who’s supported, cheered me on and been patient with me through it all.

These photos are from the last day of our July pack trip. We were “just going to do a quick ride”, because we wanted to be back at a reasonable hour to pack up camp, ride out, sort our things and drive home. All during daylight hours, obviously. No problem, right? Ha!

We looked at this and then at that, and finally, while I was harvesting some particularly lovely bay boletes – yay for wild mushroom hunting – Tay Martin started acting rather strange and ran off into the forest, only to return with an enormous moose shed.

Once she was able to speak rather than squeal and sing, the question of “how do we get this thing down to camp?” arose. I offered to carry it if we could protect it (and me) a bit.

Taylor’s wilderness treasure traveled down the mountain cradled in my arm and wrapped in a sweatshirt. No trail, so it was looking at the app, directing my mount, climbing over deadfall and dodging low branches. Sounds safe, doesn’t it?

Not to mention the two loose young Mustangs and two German Shepherds that also all needed to be herded to our destination.

The first picture is me peeking over the shed, Divide Basin Mustang mare Lacy surrounded by the youngsters, Denali on a mission to go somewhere. Not pictured, Ranger, Taylor and the remaining Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang Tiny (Salt Wells).

We rode out of camp at 8.40pm that night (second picture) with the moose shed (3rd pic) secured under the lash rope atop Twin Peaks, CA Mustang filly Echo’s load. We arrived at the truck around 10pm. That was some kind of a ride, but we made it out in one piece. Mostly. SOMEONE had a sad headlamp and steering malfunction, yet is blaming 400lb yearling Devil’s Garden gelding Griffin for pushing 1200+lb Tiny into a tree, resulting in a bruised (human) knee…

Here’s to embracing life, good friends, good horses and slowing down to take it all in!

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#backcountry#wilderness#adventure#makingmountainmustangmemories

This handsome yearling Devil’s Garden Mustang gelding didn’t let a rough start keep him down. Pippin was facility-born and rejected by his dam. Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals staff kept him alive and raised him, through ups and down, until he was strong enough to travel. No easy feat and a huge commitment.

He arrived here earlier this year with several of his friends to get an education and find a wonderful home. Pippin – now Joey – has the biggest personality and is willing to grab life by the horns. There’s a lot of resilience and spunk in that little red roan body.

Pippin was adopted and picked up by one of the experienced haulers we work with. He took the long trip from CO to MI in stride.

The Champion Farm sent us these photos and made our hearts sing. That little guy found horse heaven on earth and it appears he’s embracing it. I think he’s sure he deserves no less. Happy trails with your sweet boy Taylor, thank you for giving him such a wonderful home!

Thank you to our amazing adopters, supporters, clients, haulers and everyone else who makes what Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy does possible. This is what we do it for. Keep the updates coming!

We have several incredible gentled Mustangs currently looking for their humans. You can view them under the Available Mustangs tab at w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h. o r g

If you have questions, feel free to email, PM, text or call us.

We’re located in Guffey, CO. Hauling can be arranged and out of state adoptions to approved, suitable homes are possible.

#DevilsGardenMustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildtowilling#nonprofit#bettertogether

#makingmountainmustangmemories

That’s what I think horse packing and backcountry riding do for us: We feel alive and present.

In a world where we are often numb, stressed, irritated, anxious or distracted (but utterly comfortable because in many ways our lives are easy… We get heat, cool air, coffee, fuel and millions of items online simply by pushing a button), exploring the backcountry with horses pulls us out of all of that.

Packing is time and labor intensive, uncertain, dangerous and if you want to save on weight and maintain some level of convenience, comfort and safety for yourself and your stock it’s rather pricey too.

The payoff? Being in the moment for as long as you’re out there. Seeing things not many people see. Experiencing nature in its raw form because you’re immersed in it, rain or shine. Having your character, gear, navigation skills and your animals’ training tested. Slowing down to take it all in, because that’s all there is to do.

These photos are from the same day ride out of camp, taken a mere few hours apart. It was a hot, dry, exhausting first few miles. We almost turned back because the animals needed water and some time to graze.

The vegetation was poor and all but one of the intermittent streams shown on GPS were dry. The one that wasn’t offered two tiny spots of water. One was muddy, the other required that they push their heads into and under a bush to drink.

The trail was growing fainter by the minute. The dogs and horses were getting tired and the humans worried.

The app said half a mile to water, down some steep-ish terrain. We said to heck with it, we’re already here. So we went.I heard Marcos promise his geldings “paradise at the end of this trail”. I grunted. I was just hoping for flowing water and some grass.

Turns out he was right. I walked Mustangs Lacy and Tiny down the canyon. The trail was so faint and overgrown in spots and so narrow in others that I felt safer that way. At the bottom we found grass almost to the horses’ backs, all the water we could ask for and incredible scenery. A perfect lunch and cooling off spot for the weary two- and four-legged travelers.

Riding back we tried and failed to outrun a storm. Watching it approach, hearing the thunder and finally seeking shelter from hail and rain in a small grove of trees was intense, scary and beautiful all at once.

I’m glad for the experiences and memories and thankful that both Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and groups like

4 Corners Back Country Horsemen are doing their part in keeping backcountry packing with horses alive.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#wildtowilling#horsepacking#packhorse#mountains#adventure#explore#backcountry#bliss#nature#horses#adoptamustang#makingmountainmustangmemories

I left for the wilderness practically right after we got back from Trinidad and haven’t had a chance to share any pictures.

We squeezed an unbelievable amount of oohs, aahs and adventure into a whirlwind 30h trip to the opening weekend of Cowgirl Artists of America ‘s art show Women’s Work at the A.R. Mitchell Memorial Museum Of Western Art in Trinidad, Colorado.

We saw incredible art work, met talented artists, enjoyed the museum and lovely gift shop. Seeing Sarah Dean Art ‘s beautiful oil paintings “Leaving a Legacy” and “Capable Hands” of our Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs, most notably the one and only Lacy alongside Tiny and DG Petrie, and forever goofy Ranger the “free on Facebook” younger of the two German Shepherds was both humbling and a bit surreal.

We’re grateful to the organizers and to Sarah for reaching out to and partnering with us and for giving Mustangs yet another platform to shine. “Capable Hands” sold that weekend, so Lacy, Tiny, Ranger, and the full moon over Pike’s Peak are going to be hanging in someone’s home soon.

For those of you who have a 2024 WHOA calendar: Look at your August picture and see if it seems at all familiar

We got up early on Saturday and decided on adventure over breakfast, knowing we’d want to make it back to the museum for the luncheon and awards ceremony.

Following a friend’s suggestion, we drove to the equally quirky and scenic mountain town of Cuchara, sat on a bench in the morning sun with iced coffee, wandered all around the tiny town and bought elk jerky for breakfast.

On the way back we made time for mountain lake wanderings and an impromptu swim, and still managed to be presentable and even punctual for the luncheon.

“Leaving a Legacy” won people’s choice award. That may be the only blue ribbon Lacy ever wins but it’s an especially cool one and she’s the best, toughest, fiercest pretty little branded mare in all the land in either case

If you enjoy artwork, beautiful scenery and horses, check out Sarah Dean’s work on social media, you won’t be disappointed!

If you’re interested, you can see all the amazing pieces through the end of September. The museum is worth a visit in either case!

Peep the branded Mustang on a boot that was also part of the show. It was neat seeing wild horses so well represented.

Also, Tay Martin rocking one of the pretty teal and cream WHOA hats. It’s my favorite color but being the dirt magnet I am, I wear the charcoal and blue one. Thank you to Western Skies Design Company for making them for us!

#BLMmustang#AmericanMustang#westernart#grateful#ridethebrand#sunset#mountains#adventure

#makingmountainmustangmemories

Last week I was on the phone with an old friend. She was my German teacher in middle school. Dorith is in her 80s now. I graduated high school 20 years ago (ouch). We go back a long time and she’s essentially my bonus grandma.

She asked what I was doing the following week. I replied “Going packing with a stranger from the internet.”

Dorith: “We’re not telling your mother, are we?”

“Correct.” I said, “Maybe afterwards.”

That’s where I’ve been these past few days, in a new to me wilderness area, with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Lacy (Divide Basin, WY, under saddle) and Tiny (Salt Wells, WY, pack horse), German Shepherds Denali and Ranger, and Marcos Costa – the stranger from the internet – and his horses.

Marcos is an instrumental part of 4 Corners Back Country Horsemen as well as the Durango Cowboy Gathering . He wanted more packing experience. I wanted someone to pack with because going solo can get sketchy fast. A slightly awkward “I don’t know you but I guess we’re doing this” turned into a win-win situation and a new friendship.

Over the years several internet strangers have become some of my closest friends, mentors and adventure buddies.

That’s another thing Mustangs and a passion for exploring wide open spaces do for us. Connecting interesting people. Wild horses and wild places also go exceptionally well together.

Another monsoon season pack trip with the wild ones is in the books, more box hitch practice, more learning where I can improve and fine tune gear, planning, prep and routines. More making great connections and character building.

In a way the – hopefully not – dying art of horse packing needs just as much help and attention as do Mustangs and I’m beyond grateful to be involved in and continue bringing awareness to both. That’s only possible with the help of our friends and supporters.

I’m thankful for all of you. Thank you for making what we do possible through your input, questions, donations, volunteer work, the horses you adopt, the workshops and remote coaching sessions you book, the merch you order, by spreading the word through shares, likes and comments and referring your friends to us.

If you have questions, want to help us help wild horses or are interested in learning or adopting, feel free to reach out via email, phone or PM. You can also contact us through

w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#ridethebrand#horsepacking#adventure#backcountry#mountains#courage#learning#makingmountainmustangmemories

This afternoon we’re off to honor wild horses and the western way of life in a different way.

Cowgirl Artists of America ‘s art show “Women’s Work” begins tonight, “a groundbreaking exhibition that showcases the multifaceted contributions of women in shaping the American West.”

“Through the hands of female artists and makers, this exhibition brings together selected artists with women on working ranches, allowing them to gather reference materials and learn from the work of women in these spaces.”

Sarah Dean Art paired up with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and spent a couple of days with us and the Mustangs. She brought her experiences to life in hundreds of beautiful photos and videos and finally the two incredible paintings you see in this video (video credit: Sarah Dean).

We’re happy to see our wild horses – on a personal note especially Lacy who had just returned to work last fall after we weren’t sure whether we’d lose her for most of 2023 – represented in this setting and honored to have been invited to be a part of it.

If you’re interested, check out the art show in Trinidad, Colorado at the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art. It runs through September 2024.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#art#painting#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

One of the things I found most intimidating when I first decided to become more self-reliant in backcountry riding and packing was navigation.

How to plan, safely get to where I want to go, explore, find my way back and have a way to call for help if needed.

The majority of miles Tay Martin and I put in during our July pack trip was off the beaten path. We adventured safely thanks to GPS.

Over the past couple of years I’ve asked all my backcountry loving friends – some several times, I have patient friends – what apps and devices they used, liked and suggested. I researched, downloaded and familiarized myself with different apps, even biting the bullet and paying for a subscription.

I also finally decided on a handheld device with two-way satellite communication because I’ve seen it save a life. It was a bovine life but all the same, that longhorn cow and her owner were sure glad the grouchy lady didn’t die in the pothole she’d slid into.

And yes, we did manage to do that trip with the entire Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd and both of the Shepherds. It was a whole lot of work, fun, excitement (mostly the good kind) and oh so worth it.

All of these photos exist thanks to various apps and devices that got 2 humans, 4 horses and 2 dogs into the backcountry and back to civilization safely. Living and exploring in the wilderness with a herd of Mustangs for a few days was a wonderful experience.

The horses are hobble trained, although for the most part the young horses followed and grazed loose on our rides. Echo was the designated pack horse for this trip. Since we packed in and set up camp the first day and did day rides from there, she was mostly free to wander and graze.

Many thanks to Phoebe Chambers who encouraged me years ago to “identify your followers” and turn them loose when traveling with multiple horses.

Observing their individual personalities and preferences and practicing in a safe setting allowed us to give Griffin (Devil’s Garden/Modoc National Forest) and Echo (Twin Peaks) the opportunity to be loose during the day while we rode or hobbled Lacy (Divide Basin) and Tiny (Salt Wells).

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#backcountry#adventure#horsepacking#makingmountainmustangmemories

This video is too funny not to share. That was 5yo Stewart Creek WY palomino pinto Mustang gelding Doc’s second session and his first time getting the “real” halter on, over the temporary halter.

What was supposed to be a serious video on a long, warm day turned into impromptu playfulness and laughter. I think that’s important too.

The wild horses in our care need to learn all the basic skills to thrive in life with humans. They also need to learn that people are weird and that we don’t always ask them to do hard things.

Doc is a handsome, calm and gentle guy and we’re lucky to have the opportunity to get to know him and facilitate his start into a successful life with humans. He and his friends are available for adoption. You can find our available Mustangs and adoption application at

w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . org

The last video about him and his friends accidentally went a bit viral and just about shut down the system here. We’re a small team and taking care of the horses – and ourselves so we can continue to help Mustangs – takes precedence.

So if I’ve posted less frequently or taken a bit longer to respond, that’s largely why, we’ve been getting inundated with messages and comments.

That’s great, bringing awareness to Mustangs and finding them wonderful homes is what we’re here for. Thank you all for understanding that we’re also only human.

We would like to know how we can best serve our followers. Do you want to see pretty backcountry riding pictures, more videos, learn about packing or Mustang gentling? Do you have specific questions?

Let us know in the comments or via PM or email. We’ll write it down and address it as soon as we can, even if it takes a little while.

We do teach in person – at our facility or yours – and offer remote coaching, so if you need help or know someone who does, let us/them know.

Thank you all for your support and welcome to our new followers. Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, Colorado, can only continue to exist because of you guys!

All our rope tack is made to order by our friend Nancy at Rowdy’s Ropes and we wouldn’t want to buy it anywhere else.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildtowilling

#mustanggentling#makingmountainmustangmemories

Our summer high country pack trip with the entire Ambassador Mustang herd (3 from BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program and one from Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals ) and the Shepherd boys was a fun and laughter filled, occasionally slightly unhinged adventure.

We experienced frost, dew, sun, wind, hail, rain, and thunderstorms. We camped at over 11k ft and rode above treeline daily. The young horses ran free most of the time, following and sometimes leading Lacy and Tiny. Ranger and Denali had a blast too.

Tay Martin wanted to see a moose almost as badly as I didn’t – I’m still holding a grudge from last year’s too-close-for-comfort encounter – so we compromised and she found a giant moose shed instead.

We may or may not have cooked mushrooms (not the trippy kind) in a jetboil with beef jerky as an oil source at 9.30pm.

We accidentally packed out in the dark but thanks to Colorado Pack Company LLC ‘s guidance earlier this year our box hitch held and the light but bulky load rode like a charm, moose treasure and all. Echo did wonderfully as our pack horse.

Packing isn’t rocket science but it does take grit, resilience, flexibility, some knowledge and good horses. Taylor rocked her first ever pack trip and Tiny took excellent care of her.

Spending day and night with these incredible animals was a wonderful reminder for why we do what we do: So we can help and inspire others to make their Mustang dreams come true while finding amazing homes for once wild horses.

Have questions? PM or email us! We have amazing gentled Mustangs available for adoption, we can gentle a wild horse for you, we offer various learning opportunities, workshops and remote coaching.

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you’re interested in helping us help Mustangs, please get in touch!

I’m catching up on emails and messages, requests for videos and photos over the next few days.

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#adoptamustang#backcountry#adventure#mountains#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories