I wasn’t expecting the outpouring of love and support you all sent following the post about Cedar.

This is a photo from last night’s sunset ride with Lacy, Gus and the Shepherds.

Thinking Cedar is running in those storm clouds made me smile.

Here’s part of a comment on Cedar’s post that I hope will stick with me and that might bring joy to some of you:

“We will listen for her hoof beats in the thunder as the wild ones bring in the storms.”

Back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. I have lots of fun pictures and videos to share. For right now I’m still pretty tired and tongue-tied.

Thank you all again for all the love and for your patience and understanding as I’ve been online less these past several days.

Stefanie & all the Mustangs at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy

#wildhorseswillingpartners#runfree#sunset#storm#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

The short version is, we said goodbye to one of our Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs, 2yo DG Cedar, yesterday. We being Gus and Lacy, Tiny, Echo, Griffin, Tay Martin and I.

She spent her last day out grazing and running with her friends, thanks to pain meds and a boot, something that her treatment protocol would have never allowed.

She squealed at Taylor one more time and watched one last mountain sunset over the rim of a bucket full of grain.

We wanted to give her the best last day she could have, and I believe we accomplished that.

She was a Mustang with a personality larger than life, more fire than I’d ever seen in a horse, and more intensity than what her body could hold up to.

She ran, played, loved and tormented (usually Taylor or Lacy) for everything she was worth.

She hated every day of being penned up, was lame and obviously in pain. With poor odds for a full recovery we opted not to put her through that for the year or longer it would have taken to see this through.

It’s not just quantity of life that counts, quality matters too. Cedar would have never been happy with anything that wasn’t full throttle, all out, 100% freedom, strength and speed.

Life as a light riding horse or with restricted movement for her safety was no option for her. Nor was being a companion horse or pasture puff. It wasn’t who she was and it wouldn’t have been fair.

Cedar had a coffin bone fracture that involved the joint, P2 (the bone above it) was also fractured and possibly the navicular bone as well.

Several of you asked how the injury occurred. Cedar came in lame from pasture one day and the best guess we have based on what one of the vets suggested is that she was running and hit a rock just wrong with the front of the right hind that would have been in the air at the time.

I cried my eyes out last night, or my brain through my nose as I put it to Taylor so poetically. I’m normally the one who hands people cry towels. Yesterday I was on the receiving end.

I loved that little horse and sometimes loving means letting go.

See you on the other side Cedar, I’m thankful for the chance to know you

Thanks to your support we were able to cover her vet bills and even had a bit left over for hay. Thank you to all who sent their love in one way or another.

#DevilsGardenMustang#AmericanMustang#missyou

#RIP#wildhorse#makingmountainmustangmemories

The hardest part of this work is falling in love and letting go over and over again.

We try to get to know and care for each Mustang we gentle the best we can, give them a solid foundation, love them while they’re here and find them just the right situation and home.

The 4 new Wyoming boys are doing well (2nd and 3rd pic are of the same horse, believe it or not).

We’d still like a few more name suggestions before we do the draw. The way it works is to donate $5 per name and comment your name under the photo/post.

Funds raised help with hay cost, hands down our biggest expense. Some horses are only here for a few weeks. Others need extra time to be ready and to find their human.

Use the donate button in this post; other ways to help in comments/link in bio.

This time Tay Martin and I are going to play too and donate for our name ideas:

Nemo for the pinto with the fish eye (she calls him Fish and I just can’t ),

Rusty for the big sorrel that looks and acts just like Gus. Taylor really wants them to be Rus and Gus,

Ghost for the grey because many years ago I knew a kind young grey gelding that got sold after I changed jobs. I’ve wondered what happened to that little guy ever since. This boy with his soft eyes reminds me of him.

Pancho for the bay roan pinto because he’s a free spirit and a bit of a bandit with a big heart.

All are available for adoption through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, Colorado. Hauling can be arranged.

PM us if you’re interested in adopting or if you are adopting a wild one you’d like us to gentle.

Please play, comment, like and share, many small actions add up to make a big difference.

Thank you!

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#nonprofit#BetterTogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

2yo Twin Peaks CA Mustang filly Echo, the newest addition to our Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd, has taken to ground driving with the same ease as everything else I’ve introduced her to so far.

Ground driving is excellent riding prep, her next steps are ground driving outside of the pen, getting used to the light and then the work harness, dragging the tire and stoneboat.

I use ground driving to prevent buddy sourness and to give the horse confidence in going places with just me, traveling out front and taking guidance from the human behind her.

Horses that pony, pack and ground drive comfortably should ride off without a hitch when the time comes.

There are several steps that came before this one. Ground driving is a process, not an event.

I ground drive all young horses before I ride them, and I like having at least one Mustang around that knows more and likes working in harness for when the opportunity to go sledding or drag some logs arises.

Ever wanted to drive a Mustang? Totally worth it and so much fun!

Interested in ground driving lessons? Let me know! I grew up riding and driving in Europe. Driving is still near and dear to my heart.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#SunsetMagic

#drivinghorse#makingmountainmustangmemories

You might have read or heard that Steve Mantle from Mantle Ranch in WY was here last week, working with me and the Mustangs here at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy

(WHOA).

Steve has been training Mustangs for 25 years, does demos at Cheyenne Frontier Days every year, helps get the Meeker Mustang Makeover trainers off to a good start, and teaches ‘back on track’ clinics to bring wildies and their adopters on the same page.

My objectives were to learn more about working wild horses from horseback, get comfortable using our chute, get tips on how to improve our gentling program and to work on my riding.

We worked on all of that and more, and talked about horses and life until dark every night.

My main takeaways? “Pet ’em more”, “Wait”, teach them to “follow the feel” and to raise my expectations.

Steve manages to be gentle and firm, patient without being permissive all at the same time. He visualizes the desired outcome and has the tools to get there. He teaches humans and horses in the same quiet and easy-going manner.

It was a fun week building on what we learned from Mustang Matt when he was here 2 years ago around this time. And yes, I’m wearing Gus’s tail as a scarf because having fun isn’t optional and Gus is cool

I’m already applying what I’ve learned and am so excited to continue to do so, to see the outcomes and to pass it all along to our adopters and clients also.

If you’d like to learn from us, are looking to adopt a gentled Mustang or for someone to gentle the wild horse you’re planning to adopt, we’re here to help.

PM or email us with your thoughts and questions, we look forward to hearing from you.

WHOA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, CO. We work with amazing haulers if someone needs a Mustang transported to or from here.

#wildhorseswillingpartners#bettertogether#learning#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

Lacy, Echo and DG Griffin, are all working on different, developmentally appropriate things.

Lacy and I had a lesson with Steve Mantle at a neighbor’s arena. We focused on improving our left lead, softness, stops and bending. We got several great pointers and exercises to work on.

We may feel most at home on the trail but having her be balanced and responsive is important for her health and our safety.

I did some untracking, directional and speed control exercises in the round pen with Echo. We’ll start ground driving next. We also took a walk together, away from the other horses, because buddy sourness is no bueno, for anyone involved.

I want her to learn to feel just as comfortable in my company as she does being with her herd. That requires work, time and continued practice.

Little Griffin worked on being left behind, safely on the patience post. He’s learned to go on walks with me without worrying too much about where his friends are. Being able to feel ok all by himself doesn’t come naturally to most horses, so we practice that too.

Many of you have been asking about Cedar. She’s in EasyCare hoof boots on both hind feet and back in her pen. She’s doing as well as one could hope for given her diagnosis.

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster trying to figure out a way forward in the face of several different opinions, prognoses and treatment approaches.

The obvious is that yes, it’s an articular fracture, meaning it involves the joint above the fractured coffin bone and P2 is fractured as well but not dislocated. The outlook is less than great, less than good even. I’ve heard everything from “dead horse walking” to “we’ve had some success with these types of injuries” multiple times.

We’d be looking at 12+ months of therapeutic shoeing and rest, possibly a cast, likely PRP, pain management, regular x-rays. She’s supposed to see the vet again on Tuesday to rule out infection in the joint as that would most likely be a deal breaker.

Lots to figure out, we’re taking it one step at a time. Cedar and I and all of us at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy are so grateful for the support you guys have shown, both through donations, hands on help, advice and so many encouraging and caring messages.

Tiny is alive and well and doing a great job looking after Echo and Griffin. He still fancies himself a band stallion, until it’s time for food and cuddles anyway.

Many thanks to Karyn Tessman Miller for the Best Ever Pad (it’s really been the best pad I’ve ever had and it made a believer out of Steve too; contact her directly to order yours) and to Rowdy’s Ropes for the loop reins with cowboy quick connects as well as the training halters and lead ropes. They see long days, real work and lots of mud here. I wash them when they need it and I get years and years of use out of them.

#wildhorseswillingpartners

#makingmountainmustangmemories

Steve Mantle, one of the most experienced Mustang trainers in the country, has been at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy since Monday.

We’ve been working on different things with different horses and expanding my comfort zone, timing and feel so we can continue to offer even more value to more wild horses and their humans.

Working horses from horseback, doing effective and thorough ground work, throwing a houlihan, safely using our chute and so much more.

We have one more full day before Steve and his 2 geldings head back to Wyoming.

Many thanks to Wild Spirit Mountain Lodge for hosting him and Tay Martin for all your help in making this possible and run smoothly.

#wildhorseswillingpartners

#makingmountainmustangmemories

I love learning even more than I love peanut butter and almost as much as horses.

For anyone looking for an indepth, immersive packing experience I recommend Colorado Pack Company LLC ‘s “Edventure” (Education + Adventure)

We spent 6 days learning about gear, tying hitches, putting together all manner of common and unusual loads, riding and camping in the backcountry.

We made memories I’ll never forget, friendships I hope to keep forever and the two dun Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang mares and I learned so much. We look forward to sharing at least some of that with you all during our own one day packing workshops.

Packing is a wonderful way to get a Mustang ready to be a safe, brave and well-adjusted riding partner, even if your goal isn’t to disappear into the wilderness for days on end.

Gabe let me bring not only Lacy but also Echo, who was less than 2 months out of holding at the time. She packed her own little light load, crossed the river and spent a night in the backcountry just like the seasoned horses.

I’m so proud of these two gritty Mustang mares.

Horse packing brings people in touch with themselves, each other and their animals in a deeper way. We all found things to work on and learn, not just about packing, but more importantly ourselves and our stock.

Gabe and his family create an atmosphere where you can come as you are and feel supported as you learn and grow at your own pace along with your equines and other participants.

*Cedar Update: Thank you so much to all of you who have and continue to offer support, financially and otherwise. We’re hoping to know more in the next day or two. I’m blown away by your kindness. Thank you!*

#AmericanMustang#wildhorseswillingpartners

#learning#makingmountainmustangmemories

Here’s the happy (I’m trying) post I’d meant to post yesterday, officially welcoming these four handsome Wyoming Mustang geldings (no height yet, they were last measured as babies by BLM)

Sorrel: 4yo from Antelope Hills WY. Tall, kind and drafty. Gus’s half brother I’m almost certain.

Bay roan pinto: 3yo, facility born to a Steward Creek WY mare. Tall for his age, curious. Tall for his age, nicely built.

Grey: 4yo from Stewart Creek WY. Curious, tall, a little shy, kind eyes. Tall, solid, athletic built.

Tri-colored pinto with fish eye: 3yo, facility born to a Steward Creek WY mare. Athletic built, curious and friendly.

Before we get further into this, I want to thank everyone who has donated, sent love, good thoughts, prayers and otherwise shown up for Cedar (please see yesterday’s post if you’re not sure what’s going on). So many of you have commented, liked and shared, called and messaged to provide input, offer help and express empathy. Thank you!

Seeing so many of you chime in and have fun with our last naming “fun-raiser” for the four Wyoming and California Mustang mares was so neat that we’d like to do it again.

How to play:

$5 donation per name suggestion, please specify which horse and comment your names under the post.

It’s a fun way to help us feed these guys and their friends. We provide free choice hay in Hay Chix nets so they aren’t bored when they’re not in school; we currently have 14 – yes FOURTEEN amazing Mustangs available for adoption, ages 1-10yo) while we prepare them for a successful future and find them their very own humans.

How to donate:

Donation avenues in comments (also in bio on IG and on the Support Us page on our website). Please let us know if you’re mailing a check because no notifications there.

How names are selected:

Tay Martin is going to draw them randomly out of empty peanut butter jars, one jar per horse.

How to adopt:

We have a list of horses (these boys will be on it soon) and our adoption application on w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey CO. Our mission is to help wild horses successfully transition from holding pens to loving homes. Sustainably, with compassion and competence.

Thank you for your support! Please comment, like and share to help these boys get noticed, named and adopted.

Let’s play!

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners

#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

I guess I’ve procrastinated on this long enough. Plan A was to post some happy packing post – after a very happy week spent doing all things related to backcountry packing with horses with Colorado Pack Company LLC – yesterday and then a naming fundraiser for the new Mustangs today.

Plan A died during DG Cedar’s vet visit yesterday afternoon. The radiographs of her right hind show a broken coffin bone with possible joint involvement.

Cedar is part of the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd. She’s a spirited, independent, beautiful 2yo filly.

She was a wonderful ambassador during her first big public outing at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo this spring, adjusting to the hustle and bustle more quickly and with greater ease than Lacy.

There are some options to consider and some opinions yet to gather. This may be a life-ending injury. We are thankful for caring friends and for medical professionals in the US and Europe who are offering their input.

She was seen by the same vet who worked on Lacy last year. The vet saw videos of Lacy crossing a river last week and called her a miracle horse as they didn’t have a lot of hope for her to recover from a partially torn ligament in her hock, compensatory lameness in both fronts and an eye injury over the course of just a few months, causing her to be off for most of 2023.

Maybe we’ll have another miracle recovery in us. It’s a bit early still to make a final decision. I’d like to gather more information to be able to make an informed choice that is both reasonable and responsible, both for Cedar and our organization as a whole.

If you would like to help with her vet bills, we would appreciate the help. I’m putting donation information in the comments. Anything raised beyond her cost of care will go towards feeding the Mustangs we adopt from BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program and Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals and are gentling and placing into suitable homes. We currently have 14 wonderful wildies looking for their humans and 3 that have already found theirs.

We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey CO.

We appreciate your support. Good thoughts, prayers for Cedar are equally as appreciated. Please share, like, comment if you want to, it all helps.

Cedar is currently enjoying some fresh grass right outside of her pen, this is her first time out since the injury. Her little buddy DG Griffin misses her and I miss seeing her run and play.

#wildhorseswillingpartners#DevilsGardenMustang

#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories