One of the things I found most intimidating when I first decided to become more self-reliant in backcountry riding and packing was navigation.

How to plan, safely get to where I want to go, explore, find my way back and have a way to call for help if needed.

The majority of miles Tay Martin and I put in during our July pack trip was off the beaten path. We adventured safely thanks to GPS.

Over the past couple of years I’ve asked all my backcountry loving friends – some several times, I have patient friends – what apps and devices they used, liked and suggested. I researched, downloaded and familiarized myself with different apps, even biting the bullet and paying for a subscription.

I also finally decided on a handheld device with two-way satellite communication because I’ve seen it save a life. It was a bovine life but all the same, that longhorn cow and her owner were sure glad the grouchy lady didn’t die in the pothole she’d slid into.

And yes, we did manage to do that trip with the entire Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd and both of the Shepherds. It was a whole lot of work, fun, excitement (mostly the good kind) and oh so worth it.

All of these photos exist thanks to various apps and devices that got 2 humans, 4 horses and 2 dogs into the backcountry and back to civilization safely. Living and exploring in the wilderness with a herd of Mustangs for a few days was a wonderful experience.

The horses are hobble trained, although for the most part the young horses followed and grazed loose on our rides. Echo was the designated pack horse for this trip. Since we packed in and set up camp the first day and did day rides from there, she was mostly free to wander and graze.

Many thanks to Phoebe Chambers who encouraged me years ago to “identify your followers” and turn them loose when traveling with multiple horses.

Observing their individual personalities and preferences and practicing in a safe setting allowed us to give Griffin (Devil’s Garden/Modoc National Forest) and Echo (Twin Peaks) the opportunity to be loose during the day while we rode or hobbled Lacy (Divide Basin) and Tiny (Salt Wells).

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#backcountry#adventure#horsepacking#makingmountainmustangmemories

This video is too funny not to share. That was 5yo Stewart Creek WY palomino pinto Mustang gelding Doc’s second session and his first time getting the “real” halter on, over the temporary halter.

What was supposed to be a serious video on a long, warm day turned into impromptu playfulness and laughter. I think that’s important too.

The wild horses in our care need to learn all the basic skills to thrive in life with humans. They also need to learn that people are weird and that we don’t always ask them to do hard things.

Doc is a handsome, calm and gentle guy and we’re lucky to have the opportunity to get to know him and facilitate his start into a successful life with humans. He and his friends are available for adoption. You can find our available Mustangs and adoption application at

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

The last video about him and his friends accidentally went a bit viral and just about shut down the system here. We’re a small team and taking care of the horses – and ourselves so we can continue to help Mustangs – takes precedence.

So if I’ve posted less frequently or taken a bit longer to respond, that’s largely why, we’ve been getting inundated with messages and comments.

That’s great, bringing awareness to Mustangs and finding them wonderful homes is what we’re here for. Thank you all for understanding that we’re also only human.

We would like to know how we can best serve our followers. Do you want to see pretty backcountry riding pictures, more videos, learn about packing or Mustang gentling? Do you have specific questions?

Let us know in the comments or via PM or email. We’ll write it down and address it as soon as we can, even if it takes a little while.

We do teach in person – at our facility or yours – and offer remote coaching, so if you need help or know someone who does, let us/them know.

Thank you all for your support and welcome to our new followers. Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, Colorado, can only continue to exist because of you guys!

All our rope tack is made to order by our friend Nancy at Rowdy’s Ropes and we wouldn’t want to buy it anywhere else.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildtowilling

#mustanggentling#makingmountainmustangmemories

Our summer high country pack trip with the entire Ambassador Mustang herd (3 from BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program and one from Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals ) and the Shepherd boys was a fun and laughter filled, occasionally slightly unhinged adventure.

We experienced frost, dew, sun, wind, hail, rain, and thunderstorms. We camped at over 11k ft and rode above treeline daily. The young horses ran free most of the time, following and sometimes leading Lacy and Tiny. Ranger and Denali had a blast too.

Tay Martin wanted to see a moose almost as badly as I didn’t – I’m still holding a grudge from last year’s too-close-for-comfort encounter – so we compromised and she found a giant moose shed instead.

We may or may not have cooked mushrooms (not the trippy kind) in a jetboil with beef jerky as an oil source at 9.30pm.

We accidentally packed out in the dark but thanks to Colorado Pack Company LLC ‘s guidance earlier this year our box hitch held and the light but bulky load rode like a charm, moose treasure and all. Echo did wonderfully as our pack horse.

Packing isn’t rocket science but it does take grit, resilience, flexibility, some knowledge and good horses. Taylor rocked her first ever pack trip and Tiny took excellent care of her.

Spending day and night with these incredible animals was a wonderful reminder for why we do what we do: So we can help and inspire others to make their Mustang dreams come true while finding amazing homes for once wild horses.

Have questions? PM or email us! We have amazing gentled Mustangs available for adoption, we can gentle a wild horse for you, we offer various learning opportunities, workshops and remote coaching.

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you’re interested in helping us help Mustangs, please get in touch!

I’m catching up on emails and messages, requests for videos and photos over the next few days.

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#adoptamustang#backcountry#adventure#mountains#nonprofit#makingmountainmustangmemories

Tay Martin and I took all 4 of the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs (pictured, look closely!) as well as both German Shepherds and headed for the high country.

It’s Taylor’s and Griffin’s (he’s supervising) first pack trip. I’m typing this on a ridge at just under 12,000ft elevation.

We’ll be back before the end of the week.

I apologize for the delay in responding to some of you. No cell service.

Thank you all for your support and understanding!

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#backcountry#mountains#adventure#makingmountainmustangmemories

This past week the double duns, aka Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs Divide Basin WY mare Lacy and Twin Peaks CA filly Echo, went on yet another mountain adventure.

Michelle Moreland and I had decided to take our trusty steeds and dogs back to a familiar trail to finish what we had set out to do earlier this year. The weather was lovely with hardly a cloud in the sky that morning. In typical monsoon fashion that was supposed to change later in the day.

We were equipped with rain coats, GPS and determination to watch the weather so as not to do anything overly stupid. Getting hit by lightning wasn’t high on our list of things to accomplish that day.

It was an area I had ridden many times before so I played tour guide until we decided to do a little exploring instead of continuing to follow the known path, which turned into hours of aaaaahs and ooooohs as we rode to the top of another ridge and then another, keeping an eye on the now much darker sky.

Looking for a way to connect the known area with our new discoveries, we navigated some steep stretches and led our horses up the worst of the loose rocks to this plateau.

As it turned out it would have taken mountain goats to get to where we had hoped to go but the view from the edge was breathtaking and so worth it.

We had just enough time to take it all in when we noticed distant thunder and turned our horses around to get to a safer spot before we would inevitably get pelted.

Mission accomplished: We had first lunch under a tree in a hail storm with lightning just a bit close for comfort, our wet disgruntled horses also seeking shelter under trees and soggy dogs hopeful for a snack or a stick to get thrown.

Second lunch was much nicer, in between storms on warm rocks surrounded by content horses enjoying lush grass and sleeping dogs drying their coats in the afternoon sun.

I’m grateful for Mustangs that are always game for adventures and reliable even when the unexpected or uncomfortable happens, loyal happy dogs and friends who love horses, dogs, wildflowers, mountains and exploring just as much as I do.

We’d love to hear about your favorite summer adventures with your horses, Mustang or domestic, in the comments!

#BLMmustangs#wildhorseswillingpartners#exploremore#adventure#friends#makingmountainmustangmemories

These photos are from the second session with Doc, Chief, Tillie and Hondo (in order). They’re also a good example of a typical Colorado monsoon season day. It’s like April, only warmer.

We’re so happy with and proud of these four. We picked them up last Friday from the Cañon City BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program .

They’re honest (How can a horse be honest – or dishonest for that matter – you ask? An “honest” horse feels comfortable letting you know how they feel, what’s too much, whether they’re scared, uncomfortable, curious, relaxed or any number of other things. The alternative is a horse that’s shut down, looks calm and then seemingly without warning has a big reaction.), calm, curious and gorgeous in equal measure.

The Wyoming pinto boys – Doc (palomino pinto) is 5yo and from Stewart Creek, Chief 4yo from Arapaho Creek – are the more outgoing horses in this group. They quickly accepted touch, halter, yielding to pressure, fly spray and grooming.

Tilly and Hondo, the Twin Peaks CA 2yos are a little more leery of humans, in the calmest and most manageable way. They are trying hard to figure out what’s asked of them and to be brave.

Both have worn the temporary halter, practiced lungeing, disengaging shoulders and hind quarters, accepted touch and started leading.

We’ll continue to keep you guys updated on their progress. I’d encourage you to watch our stories for updates also.

They are Sale Authority and available for adoption to suitable homes. They will be gentled before they go home to set them and their adopters (adoption contract through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy applies) up for success.

In the meantime, we have several incredible wildies currently looking for their adventure buddies. Feel free to email, PM, call or text us with questions.

Thank you Rowdy’s Ropes for incredible training halters and lead ropes and Tay Martin for 4 out of these 5 photos.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#nonprofit#mustanggentling#makingmountainmustangmemories

July is a glorious time in Colorado. The grass is green, wildflowers are blooming, the horses have shed their winter coats and the humans their long underwear. It only snows until June around here…

Having two young Mustangs, 2yo Twin Peaks CA filly Echo ponied) and Devil’s Garden yearling gelding Griffin (loose), as part of our Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador herd has been a source of joy and laughter with all the baby antics.

9yo Divide Basin WY mare Lacy is used to the shenanigans, as are German Shepherds Denali and Ranger. Griffin’s new favorite game is jumping in the trailer uninvited and joining the older horses on rides.

He’s a happy and independent little guy who loves to go exploring a bit without straying too far from us. Echo is content out on the trail and unbothered by the commotion that a loose youngster and 2 dogs cause.

All the time on the trail, following the example of a seasoned mentor – Lacy or teenage Salt Wells WY gelding Tiny – is setting them up to become confident, eager and safe riding partners when the time comes.

If you’re looking to adopt, are adopting an unhandled Mustang through the Internet Auction (IA) or want help with a Mustang you already have, we can help you.

Reach out via PM, email, call or text. We also offer private workshops and lessons at your facility or ours.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based out of Guffey, Colorado. We operate nationwide and beyond.

#BLMmustang#DevilsGardenMustang#wildtowilling#wildhorseswillingpartners#adoptamustang#nonprofit#ridethebrand#makingmountainmustangmemories

Tay Martin and I went to prison yesterday.

That’s a full sentence around here.

The local BLM holding facility is on Department of Corrections grounds. We get our vehicle searched and phone taken away along with everything else that’s on the lengthy contraband list because we very literally go to prison to pick up wild horses.

It’s always an adventure and it’s fun once it stops being intimidating.

We wandered and discussed, petted soft noses, made notes, laughed and negotiated. The end result of a 90+ degree morning behind bars is what you see here:

4 new incredible, adoptable wildies and the slowest, quietest unloading we’ve ever seen.

All 4 were born on the range. They were calm and curious while keeping their distance in holding (I really prefer gentling the ones that don’t come up for scratches in the pens). They appear to have great minds.

We weren’t planning on naming them ourselves. When we finally sat down in the shade and watched them explore their new pens and check us out, names came to our heat-exhausted minds, so we went with them.

In order of unloading, please meet:

Doc, 5yo palomino pinto gelding from Stewart Creek, WY.

Hondo, 2yo pangare bay gelding from Twin Peaks, CA.

Chief, 4yo sorrel pinto gelding from Arapaho Creek, WY.

Tillie, 2yo bay filly from Twin Peaks, CA.

All 4 are Sale Authority and can travel. Located in Guffey, CO.

We don’t yet have current heights, they were all measured as babies and I’m not about to put them in the chute just to measure them. We will post their photos and heights on

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

Since they are already named, no naming fundraiser this time. We just wrote a check for 6-8 weeks worth of hay for the Mustangs we are gentling and adopting out (not counting the Ambassadors): $3078.

If you are interested in helping Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, help wild horses successfully transition from holding pens to loving homes, please consider donating towards feed, our largest expense. Every little bit helps. Donation info in comments.

If you’re not able to give at this time, please share, like and comment on our adoptable Mustangs posts to help them get seen and find the wonderful homes they deserve.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#nonprofit#bettertogether#makingmountainmustangmemories

This one was bittersweet.

We’re both incredibly happy for Gus, the tall, dark and handsome 4yo Antelope Hills WY Mustang gelding, who is very loved in his new home and already under saddle, and so sad that the big, friendly goober is no longer here for us to hug.

He loved getting out on adventures ponied off of Lacy, asked everyone he could reach to hold his head and was forever curious and part of everything.

He took new things in stride and thoroughly enjoyed exploring our world. So much so that he tried to climb into a hammock and I jumped out in the nick of time before he crawled under it instead. He was so happy to have it all to himself that he played with, rubbed on and drooled all over it.

We’re grateful for lovely wildies and wonderful adopters and for dedicated BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program and Double Devil Wild Horse Corrals employees who go above and beyond to help us help wild horses.

We get so excited every time we receive an update on how our “kids” are doing in their new homes. It’s a joy and an honor to be part of their journey.

Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy (WHOA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Guffey, Colorado. We are dedicated to helping wild horses successfully transition from holding pens to loving homes, sustainably, with compassion and competence.

We have several gentled wild horses, yearlings to 5yo, looking for wonderful homes of their own. We’re happy to help you find a good match. Feel free to reach out via PM, email, or phone.

We also offer private gentling workshops at our facility or yours, gentling for outside Mustangs, remote coaching, volunteer and internship opportunities. Let us know if you’re interested in any of the above.

We encourage you to watch our stories for more news and updates. If you’re checking today, there might be an exciting sneak peek

Thank you to all who support us in various ways! We couldn’t do this without you and together we’re making a difference for so many Mustangs and their adopters.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#adopted#ittakesavillage#makingmountainmustangmemories

Calling Nash anything short of spectacular would be doing him an injustice.

I picked him for his kind eyes and curious expression and only later noticed how tall, handsome and athletic he really is.

Nash is a 4yo Stewart Creek WY Mustang gelding. He is grey, and will continue to grey out as he ages. Currently measuring 15hh tall, Nash string tests to 15.2hh mature height.

Nash is not your sleepy trail pony, not a good first horse for a novice and generally not for the faint of heart.

He is however smart and kind, athletic and willing and will make an excellent partner for someone who appreciates the spirited, intelligent and sensitive nature of a Spanish horse or Warmblood.

Nash effortlessly crosses obstacles – leading and sending – , leads, loads and ties, stands for grooming and spraying and picks up his feet. He lunges, backs, moves hips and shoulders.

He learns new things quickly, is curious and age appropriately playful, and has been good with dogs as well as horses from yearling to mature, both mares and geldings.

He can get nervous when he’s unsure and will do best with calm, confident, kind but firm handling.

Nash is available for adoption through Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy in Guffey, Colorado. Thanks to reputable, experienced haulers he can be transported anywhere within the lower 48 should his adopter prefer to have him picked up here and delivered.

If you aren’t already, a good first step is becoming approved to adopt through us by electronically submitting an adoption application on w i l d h o r s e o u t r e a c h . o r g

If you have questions, feel free to email or PM, text or call us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we are able to.

Thank you all so much for your continued support! Please share, like and comment on Nash’s post to help him find the best possible home.

For the best training halters and lead ropes we thank Rowdy’s Ropes and for top quality mane & tail care and detanglers Karyn Tessman Miller . Contact them directly to order yours.

Thank you Tay Martin for holding this handsome boy for his find-a-human photoshoot.

#BLMmustang#wildhorseswillingpartners#wildtowilling#adoptamustang#makingmountainmustangmemories