Zin, short for Zinnia, a 7 or 8yo NV Mustang mare, came to us several months ago for an assessment.

She hadn’t taken to gentling and when her title eligibility form came in her adopter wanted to be sure that if she kept and titled the mare she’d at least be able to provide basic care.

She asked Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy if we’d work with Zin, who wasn’t touchable at the time, to see if we could help her get over the hump

Well, we’re over the hump. Zin has turned into a lovely, smart, quiet, soft, trainable, curious and friendly mare.

Her first trim brought impressive enough results that our favorite farrier and friend CK Hoof Care CBT, APF-I made the before and after her Facebook cover photo.

We’re now talking about sending her off for saddle starting, something that seemed further out of reach than the moon not long ago.

While she’s not available for adoption, Tay Martin and I decided that this beautiful mare deserved a photoshoot to celebrate her progress.

Here’s to Zin, her adopter and family, and the Bureau of Land Management – ColoradoBLM Wild Horse & Burro Program who worked with the adopter while we determined together whether Zin needed to be returned for her own well-being.

A lot of people coming together for her made this work and I’m so grateful for everyone who showed up to do what’s best for this lovely little bay Mustang mare.

#BLMmustang#wildhorses#mustanggentling#training#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

For the longest time Spur (4yo bay roan Mustang gelding, facility born to a Stewart Creek WY Mustang mare) was accepted, albeit not fully included.

He’s been the oddball of the herd, the one who stands nearby or wanders off when the others are engaged in mutual grooming.

He’d follow Lacy who never really cared whether he was there or not.

That changed when we turned Firefly (2yo buckskin Bible Springs UT Mustang filly) out, initially just with Spur. Firefly is another loner, initially less than enthused with his clumsy attempts to befriend her.

Integrating her into the herd has helped Spur too. He’s still weird, but he’s family now.

Grateful for this colorful, quirky little band of Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs.

Once in a while we get to work what feels like magic for our clients and adopters.

Here Annie Oakley’s adopter was able to touch her Mustang for the very first time.

AO as we call her is a 6yo tri colored pinto mare from Cedar Mountain, UT. Her adopter sent her to Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy for gentling.

She’s a sensitive, watchy mare that’s making us earn her trust and work for progress.

While she’s slower to come around, AO is attentive and retains what she learns.

When her adopter came to see AO for the first time since dropping her off, we worked up to the first touch together, wanting to make it a good experience for both.

AO remained engaged and willing during the entire session.

Her adopter had a big smile on her face when AO not only stood quietly, happy to have her forehead rubbed, but took a deep breath and leaned in, seeking more interaction.

If you or someone you know is looking for help with the gentling process or wants to adopt an already gentled Mustang, tell them about us.

Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is based out of Guffey, CO. We operate nationwide and beyond.

#BLMmustang#horses#wildhorses#learning#trust#joy#progress#makingmountainmustangmemories

Rock isn’t really a mule and Lacy isn’t actually as microscopic as she looks next to him. It’s meant to be a cute play on the Beauty and the Beast, and they certainly are that.

Summer is a fast-paced, dusty, sweaty, exhausting, fleeting and wonderful time.

Wildflowers and hummingbirds, green grass and afternoon rain, friends, horses and long days spent outside.

I’m going to try to share more raw content because I’m outside too much and too tired when I’m not moving to edit and write for hours.

Anyway, we loaded up the trailer with WY Mustangs (Salt Wells – Tiny, Divide Basin – Lacy and Antelope Hills – Rock) yesterday afternoon and went riding. Almost all of the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs. Spur stayed home with Firefly who is only so excited about her new “shadow”

My idea of a happy (maybe not so) little afternoon ride: Water and views, loping and looking, rock scrambling and a little bit of “that was close”, making memories with friends, bird song and golden light.

We had two young horses with us who got to do some real work and did great with some normal green horse moments. Horses are so good about keeping us learning and improving. The older ones too

#BLMmustang#horses#summer#mountains#joy

#adventure#makingmountainmustangmemories

Before anyone asks, the answer is no. I tried too . His adopters love him and he’s not going anywhere.

Gus is a 2yo NV Mustang gelding adopted from the IA who had apparently decided that gentling was for losers. He made that known in some less than diplomatic ways.

His free-spirited self expression and refusal to be haltered or consistently allow touch is what brought him to Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy to see if we could help him.

I was surprised to hear from previous adopters with not only a happy update on the handsome, goofy gelding they adopted from us, but also the request to work with their new boy Gus.

A few days ago they dropped him off for summer school. So far he’s doing great and a fan favorite.

Gus is handsome, brave and a smart boy who can occasionally get a little big for his britches.

Here are photos from the first 3 sessions in reverse order.

We’re leading and lungeing now, he got fly sprayed, is learning to back up and respect my space. Halterung wasn’t a big deal after breaking it down and I can touch him most anywhere.

It all still needs solidifying and refining, but I’m happy with his progress.

I’m also really grateful to his adopters for reaching out for help when he wasn’t progressing like they had hoped, and for being up front about what behaviors he’s exhibited that caused them to decide to send him off for gentling.

Most of the time we don’t get client Mustangs sent to us because they’re doing so well at home. I get that. Still, knowing what to expect, what has been tried and what the outcome was, makes all the difference for keeping us and the horse safe, and for making a plan to set them up for success.

There’s nothing wrong with needing help. Not having the tools to help a specific horse doesn’t take away from the skills adopters do have. It’s in everyone’s best interest to seek help sooner rather than later.

Once Mustangs develop evasive or even aggressive behaviors, become pushy or destructive, it takes much longer for them to unlearn that and learn more desirable behaviors than if bad habits hadn’t been allowed to form in the first place.

As for Gus, I’m very optimistic that he’ll turn out to be a wonderful mountain adventure buddy for his adopters when the time comes. He’s certainly bold and stout enough to do just about anything they might want to try.

#BLMmustang#horse#training#learning#progress#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

You know what ruffles mine? When a horse is tied to a trailer or a tree, staring at the sky, while riders are stuffing their faces.

Hobbling lets horses eat where there’s no fence. Therefore hobbling helps prevent ulcers. Ulcer-free horses are happier, healthier and safer to be around.

Which in turn keeps riders and handlers safer AND saves us money.

Hobbling helps prevent injuries because hobble trained horses are less likely to panic if they get a leg stuck or tangled up.

Hobble training is a process. When done properly there’s minimal risk and maximum benefit.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

This was Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang Rock’s 1st time hobbled “in the wild” after practicing in the round pen. He did great. He’s 4yo, from Little Colorado, WY.

He’s on the right, Lacy (Divide Basin, WY) in the middle, Tiny (Salt Wells, WY) on the left. Lacy and Tiny are seasoned backcountry travelers. All ride and pack.

All 3 are hobbled. Lacy is in 3 leg hobbles, the geldings only on their front legs. On a pack trip all would be in 3 leg hobbles.

#mountains#mustang#horses#adventure#nature#joy#peaceful#makingmountainmustangmemories

Is she not the cutest, most expressive little lady? Her paperwork says buckskin, and Tay Martin swears she’s dunskin, as she has a dorsal stripe trying to appear beneath her fading winter fuzz. In either case, she’s beautiful.

Dragonfly 4yo, facility born to a Stewart Creek WY Mustang mare. She currently measures 14.1hh and string tests to 14.2hh.

Dragonfly is SA and can travel. She is located in Guffey, CO. We’re happy to help arrange hauling.

The deets:

She is petite and would be perfect for a smaller adult or handy youth.

We gentled her at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and while she is sensitive (the good kind), I’d consider her on the easier side and suitable as a first Mustang albeit not a first horse.

With fair and appropriate training, she will be a joy to start and bring along under saddle or in harness.

Dragonfly tries very hard to do well and figure out what the human is asking. She’s a quick learner and retains well.

She’s had her first trim (photos were taken pre-trim) and did fabulous for Taylor and Cassie Krzeczowski

Dragonfly is a lovely and effortless mover, brave over obstacles (leading and sending), ties well, loads and loves going on walks with me and the dogs. She leads, lunges, backs, moves hips and shoulders. She’s just starting to wear tack and with the warmer weather we’re introducing fly spray to everyone. She’s been ponied and did well.

Two caveats about this lovely lady:

If you have kids or are planning to board somewhere with kids, good luck to you. This pretty girl makes fart noises with her tongue – this is a first for us and unfortunately the best way to describe the sound she produces – and even we struggle to keep a straight face when it happens.

Dragonfly is clubby on the left front. She moves sound and with proper, skilled maintenance has no limitations.

The last two pics are personality pics. I love our Mustangs’ little quirks and big personalities. That’s a big part of what makes them so unique.

If you’re interested in adopting, send a PM or contact us at i n f o @ w i l d h o r se o u t r e a c h . o r g or 719-377-8587 .

Please engage with this post – comment, like and share – to help get the word out about Dragonfly so the person who is meant to bring home a picture perfect lovely buckskin lady as their new equine partner will see her.

Thank you to Rowdy’s Ropes for the beautiful halter & lead rope and Karyn Miller for the Knotty Horse products!

#BLMmustang#horses#mountains#adopt#adoptme

#friend#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

… is llama ears, an unruly mane, fogged up glasses and awkward kisses.

The biggest of boys (16+hh and counting) is living his best life with the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd, enjoys meeting people and receives age appropriate training.

I’m of the opinion that a 4yo is still developing and maturing, both mentally and physically.

I feel very fortunate to not depend on Rock (4yo from Little Colorado WY) and Spur (4yo range-conceived and facility born to a Stewart Creek WY Mustang mare) needing to be on the payroll.

Instead I’m able to focus on laying a solid foundation while their bodies develop and Lacy and Tiny are showing them the ropes, both in a mixed herd setting and on the trail.

Tonight we worked on bending, softness and becoming more responsive to leg cues for moving shoulders, hindquarters and leg yields.

And on after work cuddles evidently.

I like a friendly, trusting and respectful horse. Trust needs to go both ways, as does respect. We work a lot on setting and maintaining boundaries and clear expectations.

They get invited into our personal space, they don’t live there. They also understand how to get and stay out of our bubble.

Boundaries create safety, for all involved. When we feel safe, everyone can have more fun. Win win.

#BLMmustang#horses#mountains#learning#happy

#trust#respect#makingmountainmustangmemories

Amber & Ruby

They came here together. They found wonderful adopters who reached out to us before we officially posted these mares within weeks of each other.

Now they will be going on to their respective new chapters within weeks of one another.

Amber is an adorable 6yo buckskin Mustang mare from Meadow Valley Mountains, NV. She has the longest ears and the cutest ear hair.

Ruby is a beautiful 4yo sorrel rabicano Mustang mare from Little Colorado, WY. She’s brave, sassy and kind.

I was holding off on posting them because they both have their quirks. Many Mustangs do, and these two especially.

Amber is wicked smart and despite being potato shaped she’s quick and athletic. She’s also the most ear shy horse we’ve ever had. I’ve got dozens of hours, a round of pain meds and a chiropractor visit into working with her on that. She’s doing much better.

Ruby is lovely and a favorite around here. She needs boundaries. She’s bold and has big feelings, sometimes about the strangest things. She has disagreements with the highline that hangs in her pen. Sometimes with a tree she’s tied to. She’s teething and she’s not a fan of that either.

Both mares found adopters willing to embrace them as who they are, and to put in the time, resources and effort to help them become the best they can be.

Ruby is staying in Colorado. Amber is headed to saddle training before she leaves the US.

We’re so excited for them and their new humans.

And so grateful to our supporters near and far,

because you’re the reason we’re able to do this work:

To give scared wild horses the time they need,

quirky ones the opportunity to find just the right human,

plain ones the chance to find someone who finds them beautiful,

and flashy ones the luxury of finding the best fit for them too, because they’re at an almost bigger risk than the less exciting looking ones.

Might sound weird but it’s true. Happy to elaborate if someone is curious.

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy , a 501c3 #nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Mustangs and adopters be safe and happy, long-term, has other gentled wildies currently looking for amazing homes and a few that are taking their sweet time. Your support is always needed and appreciated.

It’s time I update our wishlists again. In the meantime, if you’d like to help us feed and care for the Mustangs still waiting to find their person, you can do so via the donate button on our website w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g , on Facebook or IG, or via the l¡nks in the comments.

#BLMmustang#horses#adopted#newbeginnings#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

When you combine well trained horses and dogs, determination to get out and ride, respect for wildlife,

and you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you may get treated to experiences like this.

I enjoyed some wildlife watching magic with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Lacy and Rock, and the best boys Denali and Ranger.

What’s been your favorite encounter or experience on the trail so far? What’s something you’re hoping to experience, do or see in the future?

#BLMmustang#horses#wildlife#sunset#mountains#adventure#joy#makingmountainmustangmemories