Stefanie Skidmore
Author's posts
Apr 02 2023
One foot in front of the other
One of my favorite Charlie Mackesy quotes goes like this: “I can’t see a way through”, said the boy. “Can you see your next step?” “Yes” “Just take that”, said the horse. I feel like that’s been the story of my life. Growing up, changing paths a few times because what I really wanted to …
Mar 30 2023
Teaching a (wild) horse to ground drive/long line
Three different ground driving sessions, in reverse order from this week to last week to when we first started. Brought to you by one of our fan favorites, Frank Stetson, coming 4yo gelding from Sand Wash Basin, Colorado. He’s accepting contact on the bit now and following my guidance from voice, reins and whip much …
Mar 26 2023
Mornings with the herd
Out and about early a couple of weeks ago to start the day with the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador herd. They’re still fuzzy but started shedding a while ago, giving me hope that spring will eventually arrive after a long, cold winter. The plan for this year is to travel with the herd …
Mar 23 2023
Getting greedy… Outcome focus vs process focus in Mustang gentling
One thing that gets in our and our wild horse’s way – namely in the way of building a relationship based on mutual understanding and trust, of making lasting progress without lots of big fireworks and having to go back and repair damages – is being so focused on the outcome that we forget how …
Mar 21 2023
Saving Buttercup – Dealing with the unexpected in the backcountry
This post is only a year and a half overdue. Sometimes it takes me that long to put something into perspective. November 2021, a long-anticipated pack trip with friends into the middle of nowhere, Southern Utah. First time taking the Mustangs out of state. First time packing in the desert. First time sleeping outside on …
Mar 18 2023
Mustangs as mirrors
One of the things that makes working with Mustangs so special, yet also raw and humbling is that they are some of the best lie detectors around. They respond to what they perceive rather than to what we would like them or others to believe. In that way they are true mirrors of not only …
Mar 13 2023
Look what you’ve done…
Growing up, hearing those words – in German, no less – usually from my mom or one of my grandmothers was a certain indicator of impending trouble. This is different. Remember when we did a fundraiser late last year for a chute? Well, the stars aligned in such a way that required things to be …
Mar 10 2023
Mustangs on NPR
In other news, this past week we had the pleasure of giving Ashley Ahearn , journalist, horsewoman and Mustang adopter, a behind the scenes look at the what, how and why here at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy . She flew out from Washington to spend a blustery winter day with us and do a …
Mar 09 2023
Moana’s surprise
I’m all but speechless (doesn’t happen often ) and overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement about this week’s events. Somehow Mustangs bring out the best in people and the best people together, and with so many neat things coming together all at once, it’s hard to decide where to begin… We’ve been keeping a baby announcement …
Mar 09 2023
After gentling, before riding
Here’s Blanca, the bestest, fluffiest, toughest and cutest old mare, putting up with a young Mustang, DG Petrie, while getting a job done. Petrie is a coming 3yo filly out of last year’s load of Devil’s Garden Mustangs from the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals. We’re currently working on the new load… We’re only a …