Having Lacy back in the game and bringing the next generation of riding partners along with her help, and with the help of loyal goofy dogs that come running out of the most unlikely places at some interesting times, is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
There’s little that’s more powerful in bringing a green horse along than the combination of a human and another horse/horses as their teachers.
Because the Mustangs aren’t the only ones with lots left to learn, I make it a point to invest in continuing education every year. That way I can show up better and Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy (WHOA) can help the once wild horses and their humans that cross our path more effectively.
This spring (was going to be last fall, but the weather had other ideas) we’re having Steve Mantle of Mantle Wild Horses in WY come out to work with us and our wildies as well as the Ambassador Mustangs that are riding horses.
I’m looking forward to applying what we learn to the Mustangs we gentle and to helping and teaching clients and adopters.
If you’re looking for help with your wildie, anywhere from the pre-adoption to post-title stage, we offer coaching calls as well as in person guidance at your facility or ours. If you’re looking to adopt a gentled horse and want some instruction before you take the horse home, we do that too.
You can reach out via PM, email or phone. We will get back to you ASAP.
Happy spring, enjoy some pictures of Divide Basin BLM Mustang mare Lacy, Forest Service Mustang yearling gelding DG Griffin, the Shepherds, and my friend with her cute mare and pup on a recent adventure!
Griffin is going to have seen more things – including side-by-sides and dirt bikes on this particular ride – than some horses ever do by the time he’s old enough to carry a rider. He gets age appropriate ground work to prepare him for a seamless transition to one day (years down the road ) helping me gentle Mustangs from his back.
I enjoy starting colts that way. Slow and easy. I’m not much of a bronc rider or particularly interested in some of the excitement that can come with starting young horses in a fast-paced way.
“Pony, pack and ground drive” usually makes for an uneventful introduction to riding and is something many of us can do at home without having to send a green horse off to a trainer.
Adopter/owner empowerment is a topic that’s important to me. WHOA can’t gentle and place all the Mustangs in holding, not even enough to put a dent in it. We can “only” help 50-100 wild horses a year.
What we can also do is help adopters and owners of once wild horses help themselves and their Mustang(s) for an even bigger impact.
