Beautiful moments last night with one the quirkiest Mustangs we’ve had yet. Last week I took Spur into town for the first time. We rode all around our tiny mountain town and into the school yard. He met the staff and a lot of the students, and was perfectly content sleeping and letting kids love …
Category: Stefanie’s Notebook
May 11 2025
Who Should Win? Everyone.
The horse. The trainer. The future owner. Others who may come in contact with the horse: Friends, visitors, haulers, farriers, vets, kids, horsey as well as non-horsing loved ones. Ideally we help the horse become confident, comfortable and competent in all areas of life with humans. That makes for a happy, well-adjusted, trusting and respectful …
May 06 2025
Good Medicine
This is why people say that horses are “good medicine” or simply good for the soul. So many smiles that evening. It was also the occasion for me to admit that big dopey geldings with a PhD in energy conservation make great friends. The Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd had friends over …
May 04 2025
Teaching new things
We can teach a horse how to feel about learning and themselves by how we prepare them, read them and present new things or tasks Yes, horses are individuals with their own personalities, strengths and insecurities. We can also set them up to win. The idea is that everybody wins. That has nothing to do …
May 03 2025
Here’s Spur, learning to stay calm amidst chaos
I see so many people want to neatly micromanage the world around them into submission to create an artificial bubble to ride or work their horses in. I don’t have that luxury and I don’t think it’s good practice. Not for us. Not for our horses. Do we want to set an animal and a …
Apr 27 2025
Come join us for a day of learning about backcountry packing with horses!
Whether you’re curious, just getting started or looking for new ideas and connections, we’re looking forward to meeting you! Please share with anyone who might be interested in/benefit from this event! We cover gear needed for equines and humans in the backcountry, putting on a pack saddle, throwing the box hitch, navigation, stock containment, feeding …
Apr 26 2025
You do the best you can with what you’ve got
We’ve got Rock, a giant, sweet, game for everything young Mustang, a work harness, single tree and a tire drag. This was right after we unhitched him and he was still figuring out he wasn’t leaning into weight anymore. He’d pulled the single tire before and then me on it. This was his first time …
Apr 25 2025
“Call PETA, I’m wearing mule clothes!” – Tillie
Here’s Tillie, a 3yo Twin Peaks CA Mustang filly we gentled, processing the many sensations that come with wearing a pack saddle. To me, ponying, packing and ground driving are key ingredients to uneventful starting and laying a solid foundation for any direction a Mustang may go in the future. Properly prepared, the first time …
Apr 23 2025
This years packing workshops
This year’s packing workshops are on May 3rd June 7th July 19th at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy in Guffey, CO. 9.30am to 3pm $125 per person if paid in advance (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, Square, cash or check) or $140 if paid on arrival. Registration via DM, email info@wildhorseoutreach.org or phone 719-377-8587. Please provide your …
Apr 22 2025
Working up to the first touch
Pictured: Annie Oakley’s 3rd gentling session. 20min of feel, timing and the right tools for the job. Some patience, being quick on my feet when I need to. Knowing when to praise and release, knowing when and how to ask. Fail safe? No. But practice makes better. 1st session: Neck rope prep. 2nd: Neck rope …