That first picture I took while sitting in the round pen and writing down some thoughts and enjoying the golden late autumn afternoon light.

Doc, with nothing better to do since he was waiting on a woman, glanced over his shoulder and looked his most handsome, slightly winter-fuzzy dappled palomino pinto Mustang self.

Watch for his adoption post. He will be looking for his very own person rather soon.

We’ve had the most incredible, long and warm fall here in Colorado this year. Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy has also had interns and guests back to back this fall, interspersed with some epic mountain riding.

It’s been an exhilarating, stressful, all-consuming, wonderful time. Yesterday afternoon I was working Mustangs by myself for the first time in weeks, enjoying being fully present, alone with my thoughts, and watching the dogs and cats bask in the warm sun one last time before it gets pretty wintery for the next week.

Jen from Nevada and Justin from Arkansas each spent nearly a week with us, helping out, learning, and in Jen’s case getting to know the wildies she’s considering choosing.

I’ve been teaching, watching, gentling, ponying, ground driving and falling asleep on the couch late at night while doing office work. Also sunset riding whenever I could.

Bareback ponying close-up taken by Tay Martin who is still figuring out the multitasking aspect of it all. I received formal driving training as a kid, both in Germany and Hungary. So handling lines, a whip, sitting up, looking ahead, steering and remembering to breathe come easi(ish) for me. Practice makes better, that’s for sure.

We’re working on offering more opportunities for people to learn how to gentle and bring along their own Mustangs. Part of that will be a Patreon membership with training videos. It’ll likely have a packing and backcountry riding component as well, and a way for our supporters to learn, enjoy , and help us help more wild ones.

We’re happy to take your input and answer your questions as we put that together here over the next few weeks. Things are finally slowing down and getting cold enough that I’ll be indoors enough to work on that.

Some of you have been asking, and we appreciate it: Yes, there will be 2025 WHOA calendars! They’ll be ready to order & and ship later this month. Thank you all for your continued support!

In our plentiful free time (ha!) we’re also working on a brand new online storefront, some new items and designs, and having everything in one place. Stay tuned. Progress on that may be slower but we’ll get there.

We do offer in person and remote coaching and we have several wonderful gentled wildies available for adoption. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, Colorado and dedicated to helping and inspiring wild horses and their humans in any way we can.

Check out w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . org for more and please reach out with any questions/input/feedback.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#mustangtraining#wildtowilling#adoptamustang#saveahorserideamustang#ridethebrand#makingmountainmustangmemories

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Lacy (Piglet) and Tiny (Tigger) made their parade debut yesterday at our tiny local school’s Halloween parade.

The kids were excited to see the horses and the Mustangs were brave and calm surrounded by tiny humans, colorful costumes and fire department escort vehicles.

Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh ( Tay Martin ) appreciated the extra layer of silly softness on a crisp late fall day.

I love watching the smiles our Ambassador Mustangs bring to the faces of those who meet them. Lacy and Tiny enjoyed many polite pats and friendly face rubs from children and adults alike.

I’m grateful to live in a town that welcomes dressed up horses and their goofy riders to its Halloween parade.

We went for a short, scenic ride to an old cemetery (it was Halloween after all) following the parade, still in costume of course.

Normally I don’t love the idea of being caught on someone’s game camera. Yesterday was an exception

Share your horsey Halloween adventures/memories in the comments!

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#saveahorserideamustang#adoptalivinglegend

#makingmountainmustangmemories

Long yearling Devil’s Garden (DG) Mustang filly is blossoming into quite the long-legged bay beauty.

She’s got lots of bone and is already nearly Lacy’s height (Lacy is all of 14.1hh), with lots of growing left to do. She string tests to 15hh mature height.

Rosie is an old soul with a lovely mind. She’s independent, sure-footed, sane and quiet without being lazy. The kind to safely gather wayward cattle with alone on a windy day once she’s old enough to be ridden.

Curious and easy to handle, Rosie likes people, going on adventures and is good with dogs. All age appropriate ground work has been done. She’s good to catch, leads, ties, loads, has been ponied and confidently leads and sends over obstacles.

She lunges, backs, moves hips and shoulders, stands for grooming, spraying and picking up feet. She has been trimmed and did fine.

Rosie came to us from the Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals . She is a Forest Service Mustang, Modoc National Forest in California to be exact. Unlike BLM, the Forest Service does not currently brand the wild horses they gather and care for. Rosie is microchipped and comes with paperwork from the corrals.

If you or someone you know is looking for a wonderful youngster who would be suitable as a first Mustang or for a capable young person with a support system, please reach out to us / send them this post.

You can reach us via PM, email us at info@wildhorseoutreach.org or text/call 719-377-8587

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, CO. Hauling is possible, within as well as out of state. We work with reputable haulers for that.

Your engagement with adoption posts through commenting, liking and sharing them makes a huge difference. Thank you for supporting our work and helping wonderful wildies find great homes! Please do the same on this post!

Thank you Rowdy’s Ropes for the beautiful training halter and rope, Karyn Miller for the amazing Knotty Horse conditioner, and our guest and friend Sandra from Germany for handling Rosie.

#DevilsGardenMustang#AmericanMustang#adoptme#adoption#wildhorses#adoptalivinglegend#nonprofit#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

These eyes, ears and feet have covered some incredible country this year. After we thought that we might never experience another sunset on a mountain again.

Now I’m collecting sunsets and spending as much time outside as possible, sometimes sleeping outside even at home, just so I can see the stars.

I got Covid for the first time in the fall of 2022, and several times since. I felt the symptoms of long Covid through much of 2023.

In January of 2023, Lacy partially tore a ligament in her left hock. For a long time we thought she’d never take another sound step.

Just as I was feeling better last fall, I took a hoof to the head. Even though I never stopped working, that set me back a few months.

Right after Lacy was allowed out of a pen again last summer, she poked her eye and got a corneal ulcer that took forever to heal. We almost put her down then. She was – allegedly – lame on 3 out of 4 legs at the time, with no clear prognosis.

I started riding her again in late fall of last year, when her legs, eye and my head were feeling better.

In the spring of this year, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye to 2yo DG Cedar after she broke her coffin bone in a pasture accident. It was an articular fracture, meaning it went through the joint.

Between all of that, and some other hard hits I didn’t see coming, life’s brought me to my knees a few times these past couple of years. Between sometimes desperate resilience and the right people saying and doing just the right things at the right times, we’re still here.

I still have weird headaches and I get so sick now every time I catch a cold. Lacy has some permanent damage to her eye. Very occasionally she takes a funny step behind.

Life is fragile, fleeting, and good horses, dogs and friends are important.

I’m a scaredy cat by nature, always have been. I’m scared of something almost all of the time. I’ll let the video tell you the rest.

Let me know if any of it resonates with you.

From tonight’s ride with the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Lacy and Tiny and the best second-hand German Shepherds Denali and Ranger.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#sunset#mountains#love#resilience#bettertogether#adventure#fall#makingmountainmustangmemories

2yo bay Twin Peaks CA Mustang filly Tillie is ready to find a lover of tall athletic mares who know what they want in life and are not afraid to express it.

She currently stands 14.3hh tall and string tests to 15.3hh. She has a freezebrand, it’s under her mane.

Tillie has all the heart and grit one could ask for. She’s spirited and a quick study. Things that are scary the first time are not that way for long.

Tillie is level-headed without being lazy, an effortless mover and a joy to work with. She is also young and has opinions. She does take feedback in stride when she’s trying something that’s a less than great idea and is easily redirected.

This pretty lady is friendly, curious and easy to catch. She likes attention and mental stimulation. Once she’s old enough to find a job she enjoys she’s going to be unstoppable.

Tillie halters and leads, lunges, crosses obstacles, is a cute little jumper, moves hips and shoulders, backs, is good with strangers and dogs, stands for grooming, spraying and picking up feet. She’s had her first trim, she ties, ponies and goes for walks in hand. She’s being introduced to tack and taking it in stride.

Who is going to love her for the princess she is (the last photo says it all) and foster her athletic potential in and/or outside of the arena?

We believe she would excel in endurance, on the trail and/or in English disciplines. Movement videos available upon request.

Tillie is at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy in Guffey, CO. Hauling in and out of state is possible. We work with reputable haulers who get the wildies we gentle safely and happily to approved homes when adopters aren’t able to pick up in person.

Please comment, like and share and send this post to friends who need a lovely young mare in their lives. Your engagement with our adoption posts makes all the difference for finding these guys great homes.

Our adoption application can be found at

w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

PM, call/text or email if you’re interested in adopting Tillie. 719-377-8587

Halter & lead: Rowdy’s Ropes

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#adoptalivinglegend#mustanggentling#wildtowilling#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

I recently went on a lovely ride with a friend whom I hadn’t ridden with in way too long. She was taking me to a lake I hadn’t visited before. I’m always grateful when people share their favorite places with me.

We got to the lake and sat down for lunch after letting the horses and dogs drink. Looking at my favorite GPS app, I said “You know there are 3 lakes here, right?” “No…”

We looked at the downloaded topo map (always always ALWAYS download the map for the area before you go and be generous about its size) and decided reaching at least the next lake looked attainable.

A friendly lone hiker reached the spot near the lake where we were getting ready to mount. Curious, I asked him about the route to the lakes. He readily provided helpful information (footing and trail quality are near impossible to judge from a map, that’s what reviews, friends and fellow trail users are for) and then some:

“There’s a waterfall up there too, look up to your left when you get back there. I only found it by accident.” We thanked him enthusiastically and went on our way to explore further.

The ride would have been lovely and totally worth the rock scramble for the first lake. The other two and the waterfall (pictured, I wish photos had sound!) made it an epic adventure.

I did do a silly thing that I finally realized and rectified at lake #1: My external GPS with satellite tracker and two way messaging capability was off and in my saddle bag. That’s bad practice.

I promptly and guiltily activated it and shoved the precious device into a zippered inside vest pocket.

Anymore I like using 3 different apps to navigate and see what’s what. I find that I learn more and miss less that way. And it’s just fun to notice the differences in information each app provides.

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Lacy and Tiny and the happy German Shepherds were good sports for yet another epic high country adventure.

If you’re looking for your very own once wild horse to build a partnership, grow and explore with, check out our adoptable Mustangs at w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h.o r g

We have long yearlings to 5yos available and waiting for their adventure partners. PM, call/text or email us with questions! # 719-377-8587 , email address on website.

Hackamore (bosal, hanger, mecate): The Colorful Cowgirl

Best Ever Pads saddle pad: Karyn Miller

Packing halter: Outfitters Pack Station

Lead rope: Rowdy’s Ropes

Saddle bags: Rawhide Gear LLC

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#explore#adventure#backcountry#mountains#fall#adoptamustang#makingmountainmustangmemories

If I had a dollar for every time someone has contacted me, saying “I want Nash”…

Don’t get me wrong, Nash is super cool. He’s also taken a long time to let his guard down and he’s not for everyone.

The hard facts: He’s a grey 4yo (5 next spring) Antelope Hills WY Mustang gelding. He’s already over 15hh and string tests to 15.2hh mature height.

The “softer” stuff: Nash is a thinker. Not just that, he’s a sensitive overthinker sometimes. That makes him a horse that needs a human who can appreciate and guide the nerdy, delicate professor type horse.

He’s very Spanish in both mind and body, making him a less than ideal first horse or first Mustang unless you’re very comfortable with Spanish horses/Arabians/Warmbloods/Thoroughbreds or other independent thinking, spirited breeds.

This video contains some of what he can and loves to do as well as additional info on Nash.

Not shown: He’s good to catch, ties well, lunges, moves hips and shoulders, backs, has practiced standing next to a human on a mounting block and has been introduced to objects on his back. He stands for grooming, spraying and picks up all four feet.

Have other horses here learned more faster? Absolutely. But he’s not other horses.

Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy gives every horse the time they need to be and feel safe around humans. We find them the right human partner because we want our adopters to be happy and our wildies set up for success.

*It would mean the world to us and Nash (literally, because his future depends on it) if you comment on, like and share his video far and wide to help him get seen and find his person!*

He is located in Guffey, CO. Hauling in and out of state can be arranged through reputable haulers we work with.

Please PM, email or call/text us to adopt. Phone: 719-377-8587. Email in video.

Thank you for your continued support, you are making a difference!

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#adoptme#adoptalivinglegend#adoptamustang#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

Here’s a super fun little clip from an incredible recent ride with the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs, Tay Martin and the two rescue German Shepherds Denali and Ranger.

Sand, mountains, water, snow, good horses, happy dogs and a friend. It was a fantastic, memorable day.

What draws many adventurers into the backcountry?

No people, no cell service, beautiful scenery, closeness to nature’s forces. Time slows down and we finally feel at peace.

Sounds perfect, right?

Yeah. Until it isn’t.

Too many people this year alone haven’t come back, riders, hikers or climbers. Things can go sideways fast, whether you go solo or not.

Without getting too preachy here, I put some info in the video on how to do the fun things while taking important safety precautions. Let me know what you think!

Share this video with anyone who needs the info or would enjoy it!

I take solo trips too. I try to be smart about it. I owe that to myself, the animals I’m responsible for, the people who care about me and all first responders.

Share your questions and your backcountry trip safety measures in the comments below!

Looking for your own once wild Mustang to go adventuring with? We have incredible gentled horses available and looking for you! 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’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, CO. Hauling can be arranged.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#wildtowilling#saveahorserideamustang#adopt

#mountains#desert#adventure#safety#fun

#makingmountainmustangmemories

There’s something special about young people and Mustangs. They’re not just our future, they’re who we hope will treasure, protect and enjoy wild horses, on and off the range, when we are long gone.

This kiddo has been helping us with chores for a few months. She’s tough and gritty and wasn’t at all horsey when she first started.

I’m not known for being easy to work for if you ask youngsters who are used to playing on their phones rather than doing physical work outside.

That cracks me up when I look back at the hundreds of hours of barn chores I did just to be around other people’s horses as a kid, forget about getting paid.

What I am though is willing and happy to teach someone with tenacity because that’ll outdo talent and previous experience every time if they maintain it.

She’s learned to halter and brush some of our gentler wildies and I’ve tossed her up on Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang Lacy a couple of times.

The first time I led them around the 25ft round pen, the next time she rode in there by herself, at a walk, with me standing close-by. Each ride bareback in a halter.

Tay Martin and I can communicate with hand signals, head movements and grunts when needed, so using those fine methods of information transfer, I suggested she introduce the kid to Tiny.

After meeting the colossal (compared to Lacy) teenage Salt Wells gelding went smoothly, the next bit of communication – I was in the middle of a session with another Mustang – meant to have her halter him and hop on.

Kiddo’s eyes were the size of dinner plates when she heard “Stefanie said you’re getting on him. I don’t think that was a question.” This kid is brave, so she didn’t refuse.

It took every one of the 3 steps of our big mounting block for her to climb on. We let her sit and relax on the wide red couch for a few minutes, leaning forward to hug him and back on his butt.

I’m not actually here to scare anyone, only to push at their comfort zone a little. Tiny slept through most of the kid’s acrobatics.

Finally kid said with a hopeful look aimed at no one in particular, “Miss Stefanie [ugh] showed me how to go around the round pen by myself…”

Grinning, I handed her the whip I was holding and told her to gently tap his large behind if he chose to ignore voice commands and leg pressure.

Tiny has the work ethic of a geriatric house cat most days, so that scenario was highly likely.

Right around that time he brought his giant head around to face her. Kid was rather perplexed when the horse she was sitting on was also looking back at her.

“Oh he wants to get paid” said Taylor who supports Tiny in his adorable laziness, handing kiddo a handful of alfalfa pellets. I don’t argue anymore. All I ever hear when I try to remind everyone of his many quirks is “Tiny is perfect!!!”

Taylor then added “It’s like putting quarters in the rocking horse at the grocery store”. I was at a loss.

Around the walking pen they went, Taylor leading the way the first time to show kid where to go and how to steer clear of the Mustangs that stood tied, watching the goings-on. Then the big lug and the little girl rode alone with both of us keeping an eye on them.

Every time they came back around Tiny would park himself at the mounting block and turn his head. Dutifully, kid handed over the goods. Then off they went again.

This went on for a while until she proclaimed, “No more quarters!” giving us the ‘fix it’ look. We all but died laughing and offered a refill.

A little while later I called “Hey kid, time to get back to work!” from inside the round pen, receiving mild protest in return. “Hop off and put your horse back out to pasture”, I insisted.

Reluctantly she did as I’d asked, or tried anyway. Tiny wasn’t done getting attention and he might have liked to examine the walking pen for some loose hay. Some very tender moments occurred over trying to send him out and shut the gate.

I enjoy investing in these horses’ future. Not just by turning out friendly, easy-to-handle Mustangs that have a good chance to thrive in our often crazy world, but also by sharing our Ambassadors with others.

If you’re looking to adopt or get involved, please let us know in the comments.

A list of adoptable Mustangs is available on

w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

On our website we also have a “How you can help” section for those who would like to support what we do. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on your kindness to continue to do what we do.

We’ll be showcasing more available horses, sharing stories, rolling out a new way to help Mustangs and their adopters, and bringing immediate needs to your attention over the following weeks. Stay tuned! (As I muster up the courage to bring all that to life )

Thank you to all of you who follow us, whether you’re new or have been here for a long time! It means a lot, to the horses and humans alike!

*I want to make abundantly clear that as soon as this young lady is ready to do anything more than amble around small pens on soft dirt at a snail’s pace, she’ll be wearing a helmet whether she likes it or not. She’s riding seasoned Mustangs with a horse-savvy adult only a few yards away.*

If you’ve read this far – or skipped to the bottom – we’d love to hear about your favorite memory involving horses and kids (possibly you as a kid?) in the comments!

Halter & lead rope: Rowdy’s Ropes

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorses#ridethebrand#adoptalivinglegend#adoptamustang#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

The weekend before last, on a gorgeous, crisp and sunny Colorado fall morning, 2yo Twin Peaks CA Mustang filly Echo left for her new home in Idaho.

Jennifer, her adopter, spent several hours with her the day before, getting to know her new friend, asking questions and receiving guidance on how Echo learns, responds to new things and what she knows.

Echo was quiet and kind, taking well her new person and eager to explore and hop into a new-to-her trailer. It was bittersweet seeing her go, knowing she’ll be so very loved, well taken care of and have a job as a pack and trail horse, doing what she loves, as she matures.

Thank you to all who have liked, shared and commented to get her seen, it worked! Thank you also to all of you who continue to support us so we can gentle and place these wild horses on their time, not ours! Last but not least, many thanks to Wild Spirit Mountain Lodge for always taking such wonderful care of our guests, the planned as well as the not-so-planned ones.

Looking for a Mustang of your own? Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy has several incredible gentled ones in search of their forever humans.

Check them out under the Available Mustangs tab

at w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

We’re located in Guffey, CO. Hauling can be arranged, some of them can travel to approved homes outside of the US.

Have questions or want to adopt? We look forward to hearing from you via PM, email or phone.

We also offer remote coaching sessions for owners and adopters of Mustangs who are looking for suggestions on how to move forward with training or get through a rough spot. Reach out to us if that’s something you’re interested in!

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildhorse#adoptamustang#makingmountainmustangmemories