4yo Arapaho Creek WY Mustang Chief, or “Chiefy” as Tay Martin calls him, is looking for his own human to guilt trip. He’s like an oversized shelter dog and lives to make us feel guilty when we’re giving attention to anyone but him, following us with his big, soft, expressive eyes and looking rather defeated …
Category: Blogs
Sep 26 2024
Riding prepared
Earlier this week I went on a somewhat unplanned solo 13.5mi backcountry day ride. Unplanned in the sense that a friend who was going to ride Tiny couldn’t make it, leaving me to decide whether to stay home or still go. Fall, especially fall color season, in Colorado is fleeting. In a way it’s the …
Sep 23 2024
See you in the mountains!
I’ve wanted to visit Durango for years. Ride the train, see the fall colors, explore the town. I enjoy going to events that bring like-minded people together. I love meeting, getting to know and learning from makers, other professionals and horsemen and -women in their natural habitat. And like live music, especially when there’s dancing …
Sep 22 2024
Oath Ceremony
I’m officially and finally an American citizen. As part of the naturalization process I had requested to change my last name to Schaefer. That request was granted at the oath ceremony in Denver on Thursday. Wolfgang Schäfer was my maternal grandfather and in many ways my childhood hero. I hope I can grow up to …
Sep 15 2024
Developing friendly, well-adjusted Mustangs
Our goal at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy (WHOA) is to adopt out Mustangs that are easy to handle, happy to interact with humans, pleasant to work with and safe to be around. That takes time, a variety of approaches and good help. We’re happy to welcome another visitor, this time from Germany. Sandra is …
Sep 14 2024
Double dun breakup
We’ve spent the better part of this year introducing 2yo dun Twin Peaks CA Mustang filly Echo to all the things that set a young horse up for success. Now it’s time for her to find her person. Echo ground drives, ponies and packs (think pack horse on a pack trip) like a champ. She …
Sep 04 2024
Gentle vs. Gentled
Our goal when working with Mustangs at Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is to help each horse get to the point of being both gentled and gentle. Gentled, meaning they know the basics of being handled and have skills to carry them forward. Gentle, meaning they trust and accept humans and enjoy being around us. …
Aug 28 2024
If at first you don’t succeed
Lacy the sea (ok, pond) monster reminds you that if you have an area of difficulty with your Mustang (or domestic equine), don’t give up just yet. Most people who meet the now 9yo Divide Basin WY mare, one of the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustangs, comment on how willing and well behaved …
Aug 27 2024
Internships, workshops and remote coaching
Some lesser known ways – based on some feedback I’ve been getting – Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy serves the Mustang community is through empowering Mustang adopters and those who are considering adopting via internships, workshops/private and semi-private clinics (at your facility or ours) and remote coaching. With the large numbers of horses getting adopted …
Aug 25 2024
Name change and personal ask
I passed the civics, reading and writing test as part of the naturalization process yesterday. I’ve rarely if ever had that much fun taking a test. Especially in light of the fact that just 8 days prior I took – and passed – the National Counseling Exam. That one was decidedly unfun. This country offers …