3rd winter is here. Yesterday morning 2nd spring gave way to hoarfrost and temps in the low 30s. The forecast was a lie and our nice spring ride turned into an enchanted forest adventure.

I’d wanted to post something more serious but this was too pretty not to share, so come join us for some mid-April “sprinter” (spring-winter) fun from the comfort of hopefully somewhere warm.

The song is nice too, we certainly felt the freedom piece. Ignore the part about birds and wildflowers, those were all hiding yesterday.

We rode between 8000 and 9500ft of elevation, so instead of fog, we were inside of a cloud. A cloud that was spitting icy daggers into our faces atop the ridge

2 riders, 4 horses and 3 muddy dogs still had lots of fun. I took 3 of the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs because why not. Griffin made a handsome and very sweet palomino QH friend. Lacy and Tiny did great, seemed happy to be out and about and enjoyed each other’s company.

We crossed water, patches of crunchy snow, marveled at frosted trees, imagined the mountain views we’d have if only we could see more than 40ft in either direction, and galloped through the gloomy, wet forest as fast as our steeds would go.

It was a blast, the kind where your hands are red, nose running and cheeks burning, and you feel incredibly alive.

Thank you Michelle for braving the chilly weather with me and for saying such kind things about the princess.

Warning, this video might make you dizzy. It’s at Lacy speed so buckle up and look closely at what I was trying to capture for you as the world was flying by. I love that fierce little dun Mustang mare.

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I’m calling this “double dun ponying”. I mean look, the only way I know which one to ride is by the halter color

This was last night, ponying Fiadh off of Lacy for the first time. Practicing going both directions, following at my knee (that took a bit of negotiating), and then sharing space.

For those of you who have the patience to watch the entire video, I’d encourage you to pay close attention to their body language and how much Fiadh feeds off of Lacy, even down to licking and chewing right after Lacy does it.

Also how close they are standing and how much interaction there is between two mares who have never interacted without a 7 1/2ft tall fence between them.

That takes some doing because Lacy needs to be kept in check or else she’ll treat the horses I’m working like cows and bite them, not helpful. But with Lacy knowing what’s expected of her, she gives Fiadh peace and confidence.

Ponying is an excellent training tool for various reasons, and working Mustangs from horseback is something I’m working on getting even more effective with this year.

Having Lacy back under saddle (or under my butt anyway because no saddle here) has been such a wonderful gift. She’s small and not anywhere near strong enough to drag one, but in most cases there’s no need for that.

I encourage them forward and she’s nimble enough to spin around on a dime should a horse jump or run behind or in front of her.

All I need to do is steer, stay on and keep track of both horses and the buggy whip I’m using to help guide the newbie. Easy peasy, most of the time.

There’s nothing like being one with your horse, getting a job done together and enjoying it. And then resting together to absorb it all. Fiadh was the third and last wildie I ponied off of the princess last night. First were Buddy and Gus. I finally took her halter off and sent her on her way at 9.15pm. Long day and a good one.

I’m looking forward to more adventures and quiet time with the double duns.

In the meantime, Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy has several super cool Mustangs available and coming available for adoption (the 7 new DGs are coming on Saturday ), check them out on w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

We gentle Mustangs for clients who want help getting their wild one to the point of being easy to handle and ready to start under saddle if they’re old enough.

We also offer coaching calls if you’re doing the training yourself and would like some pointers.

Finally, we offer private Mustang gentling clinics and demos at your facility or ours.

PM or email us if you’re interested/needing help.

Training halters and ropes: Rowdy’s Ropes

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Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy ‘s handsome chunky boy, 10yo Devil’s Garden Mustang gelding Pumba, is looking for his person. Located in Guffey, CO.

Pumba is 14.2hh tall and equally as wide. He gets fat from thinking about eating. I’m pretty sure he gets fat from being near another horse that’s thinking about eating.

Where are our lovers of easy keepers? Those who are willing and able to manage a horse’s weight and strike a balance between quality of life (turn out, friends) and making sure this boy maintains a healthy weight.

Pumba is also positively adorable. That’s one of his superpowers. He has giant bug eyes and the most kissable snip (more like a big splotch) on his nose. He looks like an oversized, very judgemental Welsh Pony.

He’s been with us for a while. Pumba was a nervous Nelly. Kind, sane, yes, and very guarded. Also incredibly self-reliant, which is to be expected for a horse that grew to maturity on the range. Taking input from pipsqueaky humans was not anywhere on his radar.

Sending over obstacles in a calm and controlled manner for example was like trying to get my dad to read the instructions for the IKEA furniture he was putting together for his then teenage daughter. Him: “I don’t need that crap, I can do this!” (Not the word he used, also this was all said in German.) Me: “Oh boy.”

These days Pumba is much more agreeable when it comes to looking to humans for guidance. He’s discovered that different people are ok. And that being brushed and scratched is one of his favorite things.

He’s curious, good with other horses, has been trimmed, he halters and leads, loads, ties, picks up feet, and is (mostly) easy to catch.

He’s the right fit for someone who’s capable and patient. This guy was wild until he was about 8yo. And I’m going to guess he was very good at being a wild horse. Relationship building and thinking through new things takes some time for him.

If you enjoy the process of building partnership and bringing your new working partner along at a pace that works for both of you, he might just be your guy. PM or email us if you’re interested.

Please like, share and comment to help increase reach so this handsome hunk can find his person

Training halter & rope: Rowdy’s Ropes

PC: Photographer Linnea Helander

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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.

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We’re expecting!!!

What? Devil’s Garden Mustangs!

6 adorable yearlings (5 fillies, 1 red roan gelding; all but the roan are pictured as weanlings) and 1 gorgeous 3yo dark bay gelding from our friends at the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals in California.

When? Next weekend!

We’re super excited to get to know these kiddos.

If you’re interested in adopting (we will gentle them before they go home), here’s what you should know:

We suggest you fill out an adoption application on w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g ASAP.

It’s free, fillable and submittable online and it makes you an approved adopter through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy (WHOA). That way we can get a head start on reading through what you’re looking for and checking your references.

We speak with every reference (thank you Kelsey ) before making a decision on an application and that can take a little while. Our goal is to pair Mustangs and adopters in a way that both will be happy. We’re all different and so are they.

Bonus: If we don’t have your ideal match immediately, we’re happy to contact you once we find a Mustang that fits your criteria. Having an approved application and sharing what you’re looking for in a horse helps us help you as efficiently and effectively as possible.

We’re happy to schedule a phone call with you to answer further questions or talk in more detail about a horse/horses you’re interested in. You’re encouraged to come visit your potential new family member once your application has been approved.

These are Forest Service (USFS) Mustangs. They come with all of their paperwork, coggins and microchipped directly from the holding facility. The FS does not currently brand their wildies. That makes them no less authentic or any less deserving of amazing homes than branded Mustangs.

We’ve found that adopting gentled yearlings is a great option for many people who may feel intimidated by the idea of working with a mature horse. In addition, I can tell you from experience that bringing babies along adds so much joy and cuteness to your life and is an unhurried way of developing a relationship and a solid foundation with a Mustang.

So much so that I “accidentally” (sorta) kept a weanling and a yearling from last year’s load. I absolutely love watching DG Cedar and DG Griffin grow up, play, nap in the sun, explore the world and through age appropriate education become wonderful, well adjusted young horses that will make a seamless transition into more serious work when the time comes.

If you’re not looking to adopt, but you’d like to support us in helping these horses transition from holding pens to loving homes, I’m putting donation information in the comments to this post on my/WHOA’s Facebook page.

We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on your support in order to continue to help Mustangs and match them with the right adopters to ensure their long-term safety and well-being.

Location: Guffey, CO.

#wildhorseswillingpartners#bettertogether

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This guy has been a joy to bring along, spots, quirks and all. Deets is a coming 5yo Appaloosa Mustang gelding, facility born to a Pine Nut, NV Mustang Mare. He is located in Guffey CO. Current height 14.3hh. Deets string tests to 15.2hh mature height. He is available for adoption through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy to a suitable home.

He’s an athlete with a balanced built, effortless movement and lots of heart. He enjoys jumping (obstacles, not panels) and covering ground, and interestingly enough would rather do something scared than not do it at all.

He can still be shy at first but is kind and gets along well with humans and other horses. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by or interested in bothering dogs.

Deets retains well what he learns. So far he leads, lunges, and sends over obstacles and through gates. He moves hindquarters and shoulders, loads, ties, stands for grooming and picks up all four feet.

During lungeing with the belly rope he has not shown any inclination to buck, kick or bolt, a good indicator that he’s going to take to the saddle well. Surcingle, bridle and ponying are next for this cool dude.

Deets’ tail got munched on in holding and will grow back in time. He has at least a dozen colors in his mane and tail. On the subject of eating, this boy is an easy keeper whose weight will need to be monitored. Regular work will help with that.

Because Deets is a sensitive and athletic horse, and will, in his infinite wisdom, just throw himself into a task, he is going to do best with a human who will give him a job that eventually requires movement at all gaits, who is confident and able to keep Deets’ mind engaged.

He is one of those horses who even when he’s being “bad” (i.e. showing less than desirable behavior or gets startled), he’s still really, really good but checking in with and looking to the human for guidance rather than taking matters into his own hooves is something he still needs to occasionally be reminded of.

With his coloring come the Appy eyes, so he often looks at least mildly miffed or like he’s seen a ghost. That’s something I’ve slowly gotten used to and “that’s just his face”, not an indication of incoming fireworks. It’s important to read his entire body to keep track of where is mind is at.

See our adoptable Mustangs on w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

Feel free to contact us via PM or email. We are happy to answer questions over the phone if you’d like to schedule a call.

Training halter and lead rope: Rowdy’s Ropes

Vest: Outback Trading Company LTD.

PC: Photographer Linnea Helander

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#makingmountainmustangmemories

One of the best parts of life, and this Mustang journey, is not doing it alone. Having friends and mentors to talk to, work alongside, learn from and ride with is so important.

I feel incredibly grateful to have several horsewomen around me whom I respect and enjoy riding and spending time with. I’m also excited for several super cool learning opportunities coming up soon.

I love learning and growing, even if it’s not always pretty or comfortable. It doesn’t just benefit me, it also helps the horses that come into my life, and their humans. And I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with others through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy ‘s learning opportunities.

Here’s to lots of trail adventuring, finding Lacy’s left lead, getting better at riding in the two rein, learning to rope, as well as packing and Mustang gentling fun this spring!

Little video of Danita and I letting our mares stretch their legs, the dogs zooming ahead and little Griffin (look closely) bringing up the rear.

Trust and respect are important components of any relationship, with two- and four-leggeds alike. They create a sense of safety from which many things are possible.

Comfort (as in feeling safe), competence and confidence are the three Cs that lead to great results in life and in our partnerships with our horses. They need to be developed on both ends of the lead rope or reins.

That journey isn’t easy but it is worth it, and because humans, like horses, are social creatures, sharing it with others makes life feel so much richer

Music: All that really matters by Teddy Swims

Peep my favorite hackamore setup by The Colorful Cowgirl

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*Original audio. Sound on for explanation (pardon the wind and my accent). Try to click on the video and watch full screen so you can read the text.*

Tay Martin gave all the new kids a spa day after I sprayed their manes and tails. I joke about my X chromosomes not being long enough for me to enjoy that kind of thing, so I’m grateful she does.

Bonus: It’s a great, low key way for new Mustangs to become acquainted with new people, also an important step in their transition towards new homes.

Eclipse, coming 3yo Mustang mare from Little Colorado WY, is a little right side shy with new things and people.

Prior to this video, she’d stand for a few seconds of detangling and then back up. As I was filming and walking Taylor through finding different approaches to ‘problems’, Eclipse finally settled into it.

That’s where it’s easy to get greedy and keep going. The magic lies in knowing when to quit (it’s that way with a lot of things in life it seems).

Even more magic lies in taking a few steps WITH the horse and then, unless you have a cuddler, giving them space to soak in what just happened.

Both the walking and the processing time help them integrate what they are learning. IF you timed your break right, chances are they’ll learn what you want them to learn.

I’m happy to have caught all of it on video. The processing and the whole different horse afterwards are pretty sweet to watch. Thank you Eclipse and Taylor for being awesome!

Is this helpful? Questions?

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is committed to helping Mustangs and their humans. We offer in person and remote coaching as well as gentling for clients. Email or PM if it sounds like that would be helpful for you and your wild one. We also have gentled Mustangs available for adoption.

*PSA for the people in the back, you know who you are; so if this shoe doesn’t fit you just don’t wear it: Smack talking, ghosting and being copy cats who don’t quote their sources and give credit to their mentors… That’s what kids do. And they get in trouble for that. Most things in life are “and” rather than “or”. Be a good human. That’s all.*

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#makingmountainmustangmemories

As our snow has been turning to mud and crazy winds helped dry that some, we’ve been enjoying working with these four ladies.

Eclipse, Cinder, Rapunzel and Fiadh are doing well and I feel incredible fortunate to have them. Mustangs are individuals and some take more easily to the people thing than others. These mares make my work extra fun and have me excited for their futures.

Eclipse tends to be initially reserved but warms up quickly and is a thinker with a quiet mind. Cinder is a bit of a busy body who melts when you touch her. Rapunzel has turned from sassy pony to “pick me!” attention hog and Fiadh believes everything in her environment is there to serve her in some way.

These ladies will make wonderful partners for their humans once they find them. They have shown that they retain well what they’ve learned and are eager to participate.

Leading, lungeing, tying, body control, backing, crossing obstacles, grooming, they’ve taken it in stride. We’re practicing sending, picking up feet, loading next.

Tay Martin is looking forward to giving them a spa day so we can turn those wild, fairy stirrup donning manes into silky flowing ones. At least for a little while. That means spray bottle practice too. I don’t foresee much trouble with that.

We are accepting adoption applications on these ladies. For those of you who have submitted one already, I’ll reach out to you once we’ve spoken to all of your references. Kelsey is doing her best on that, while also having a day job and her own Mustangs.

The application is fillable and submittable online and can be found 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.

All horses are adopted out with training that goes beyond TIP requirements and can be tailored to the adopter’s needs. We make sure you and the horse you pick are a match, we want both parties to be happy, feel safe and be successful.

Adoption vary based on the horse. For every horse that can command a higher adoption , we have several that cannot, need more time or require special care. Adoption go directly back into our program and help us adopt, gentle and place more wildies into suitable homes.

We’d like to thank the anonymous supporter who sent Gus a bag of Vitamin E pellets. We couldn’t do this without you all.

PM or email us with questions.

Training halters by Rowdy’s Ropes

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What are we looking at here? Frosty Bob’s big butt for one. Also 2 women who decided to walk 4 Mustangs – 2 from WY and 2 from CA – and 2 Shepherds for a couple of minutes to get past a scary (to us, we both don’t love narrow trails with drop offs) section of the trail. This is us just getting to the spot where it was wide enough that we felt comfortable getting back on.

Many other people would have ridden this part. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not other people. I owe it to my horses and to myself to know when I’m going to become a burden to them. When I get scared I either freeze or get grabby on the reins. Neither helps my horse navigate a challenging trail. So I dismount and feel safer that way.

I’ve been in a spot that was so steep, wet and narrow, we ended up putting a person on each end and sending the horses one at a time because it would have been to dangerous to even lead them. It was literally a 20 yard section of a day ride. The horses did fine, and from what we could tell, the humans staying off of their backs and out of their way was the best thing for them in that moment.

It’s not for others to tell you what to do if it’s not something you’re ok with, or for you to override your judgement to impress someone. It’s ok to want to ride and not be fearless. Fear is a survival mechanism. It is important, should you choose to ride with other people, to choose those people wisely.

Compatibility is important, between you and your horse, and also the people you ride with. Expanding our comfort zones is great. We also get to be where we are at and meet ourselves there. And to surround ourselves with people who accept and respect that.

Frosty Bob is from Fifteenmile, WY and was gathered with frost bitten ears. Lacy, DG Cedar and DG Griffin are Ambassador Mustangs with Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy and so much fun to go exploring with.

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#makingmountainmustangmemories