Working at the Corrals

With a lot of what the BLM does under scrutiny, it's nice to know that there are those who actually work in the fields who truly do have the horse at heart. Blond hair hanging down past her shoulders, wrangler Wendy Rickman is one such person.

On this particular visit, Wendy is on her mare, Tess, a mustang who'd been previously adopted and then returned because she was simply too flighty and difficult to train. You'd not know that by watching her with Wendy this summer day as she quietly passes through gates and moves her still wild cousins up and down the alleyways at the Burns District Wild Horse Corrals.

Tess isn't the only mustang Wendy rides. She's also got Houdini, a South Steens gelding who seemed to take forever to figure out where his legs were. But once the 16 hand sorrel gelding matured, he became a shining star who's used in Women's Rodeo events, as well as hitting the local cutting horse circuit where he's beaten out a number of domestic bred quarter horses.

Wendy's been working the corrals for about 15 years now. You'll not only find her pushing horses up and down the alleys, but freeze branding, vaccinating, and at adoption events. When you begin to feel discouraged about the bureaucrats in DC who manage the BLM, remember folks like her who are in the trenches, getting dirty and loving these horses just like you and I.

Fall Colors in Horses

Fall is beautiful, with all it's golds and reds.

Mustangs are beautiful, too.

Want to enjoy more Monday Mosaics?

Jet

Jet found a home in January '09, however her owners are finding themselves in a very difficult situation and looking to find her a new home. Jet is a very good minded mare that I started last summer. She spent many hours on the trail and was ridden a great deal by Katie up hills and over bridges. She's a green horse simply because she's not got a lot of training time, but her mind and attitude make up for that. If you're looking for a willing partner with loads of personality, pop me an email at desperatehorsewife@gmail.com

Wild Horse Takes Flying Leap

A recent gather and sale of horses running wild in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park gets mixed reviews from attendees when one horse leaps over the inadequate fencing at the auction.

While many people are happy to bash the BLM, after reading this article you've got to admit their program does a decent job of keeping the horses and onlookers as safe as possible. In addition, a full year care lease before the horse becomes legally yours helps deter sales to slaughter, whereas the program in the link above sells direct without limitations.

Home At Last

I'm happy to announce that Liberty is finally home!

It's been months since Katie and I first spotted the grulla mare and her foal at the corrals in Burns. The big U on her neck, indicating sale authority, set the Board of Directors here at Mustang U into action. Barely around long enough to know just what we were doing as an organization, what we did know was that we wanted to reach out to this mare and get her into a home rather than see her sit around eating tax payer dollars and becoming part of the huge debate on what to do with America's horses.

With over 30,000 Living Legends in both long and short term holding facilities across the west, there is plenty of talking as to how best to deal with them. Sell them of with no limitations? Euthanasia? Create more space for herds in the east? We'll leave the debates up to those who feel the need to argue the cases for and against. Ours is not mission to become involved in politics, but to reach out and quietly help the horses, one at a time, find their way into caring homes where their needs will be met and their future secure.



Thankfully for Liberty, Ty and Lisa Cochrane stepped up to the plate and adopted her. This very bright eleven year old mare has found that life among humans results in plenty of food and a constant supply of fresh water. There is more green grass beneath her feet than she's ever known in her lifetime. She has grown from a leery, wild mare to one who is leading and confidently grabs the hay from your arms before it can be set down.

Thanks to each of you who have prayed for Lib and helped along the way. She is our first Sale Authority horse, and we hope to place many more in the years to come. You are each and every one a blessing to America's Living Legends!

Feature Friday

Flicka

Flicka was gathered from the Murderer's Creek HMA in Oregon. She's 14 hands, but built like a brick house and will be capable of carrying more than a featherweight child on her back. Originally part of the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Albany, Oregon in early 2009, Flicka found herself without an adopter. Rather than see her returned to the corrals, the husband of a Mustang U board member adopted her in an effort to buy her a little more time and hopefully find her a home.

Flicka's Story

Flicka's young trainer had found she was pregnant about the time she picked Flicka up from the corrals at the beginning of the competition. This, coupled with the fact that Flicka was a high flight mustang, slowed training down considerably. While Flicka was able to complete the in hand portion of the competition, she was not yet being ridden. She was loading and hauling well, lunging both directions, standing tied, had been saddled, successfully bathed and clipped. She was picking up her front feet easily but struggled with her hind feet. Despite all she was able to do from the ground, no one was interested in this spunky little mare and she came home to Mustang U.

In April, one month after the makeover competition, Flicka found an adopter and has been with that person for six months. Despite frequent contact with her adopter and no reports of any negative issues, we were contacted by the BLM letting us know that Flicka's adopter had asked them to pick her up. We do not know the reason behind this sudden change of heart.

Flicka is a big moving horse and would be well suited to dressage; she absolutely floats at the trot. Put a pole on the ground and she never hits it as she crosses over. For the right person, Flicka is going to be a tremendous partner. She does, however, require a quiet, gentle touch and someone who is willing to create that bond.

If you are interested in adopting Flicka, please let contact us at desperatehorsewife@gmail.com.

Can't adopt, but would be interested in sponsoring Flicka while she's looking for a home? Click the Hay Burner's link in the side bar and type Flicka in the message!

Video of Flicka, early April

Take the Norco Challenge!

Take the 2010 Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge!

For $10,000* in added money, show that your Mustang can take the Challenge in Horsetown, U.S.A.!

The Extreme Mustang Makeover is returning to Norco, CA! Only fifty horse trainers will be selected to pick-up a wild Mustang and compete in the Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge. Mustangs and trainers will be showing their skills in the surrounding foothills and on the streets of downtown.

If you are interested in becoming a trainer, APPLY TODAY! Applications must be postmarked or fax dated by January 1st. Trainers will be selected and notified shortly thereafter. Selected trainers will pick up their Mustang at the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse & Burro Corrals in Ridgecrest, CA, on February 12-13, 2010. For more information regarding the Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge please contact Randi Blasienz at rblasienz@gmail.com or (512) 869-3225.

Application Deadline- January 1st! APPLY TODAY!!


*Prize money based on total number of entries.