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What makes a Mustang person?
I've been asked many times in the past few weeks some seriously “random” questions about “my” Mustangs.
Granted, I’m always thrilled to talk shop with those that are interested and want to learn about our living legends. But in
the community I am now living in, horses are seen differently. And Mustangs - well, they might as we'll be two-headed, fire-breathing , baby-eating T-Rexes.
Sometimes | shake my head at the comments, sometimes I just “agree to disagree”, but sometimes | get hard-core offended.
This week, I had one of those “get offended” days .
Someone said to me “you don't look like a person who does Mustangs”.
Huh??? what does a “Mustang person” look like exactly?
I can tell you what they don’t look like. They don't look weak minded folks. They don’t look like cheaters or those willing to “give up” easily on a challenge. They don't look like wimps, whiners, or cry-babies.
What they do look like are passionate people who can think, feel and carry a sense of pride in their bones - and I mean carry it like a boss! They understand great things involve a bit of risk, some luck, a lot of heart, and sometimes, actual blood, sweat, and tears.
They care to the core and they understand that “owning” a Mustang is a lifestyle. They understand that Mustangs are not “JUST” a horse. They understand their plight.
They are often patriotic, gun-toting Americans who value hard work & don’t mind dirt under their nails or sweat on their brows for something they love. Their Mustang falls into the same category as “don’t mess with my wife, kids, dogs or grand babies.”
What most don't realize about Mustangs is that many are successful family horses, barrel racers, ranch horses, and hunter jumpers. I even know a few who pull carts. The really good ones go on to be great dressage or reigning horses. The best of the best are trail boss extraordinaries! They carry your kids, grandmas, your dreams, and your heart. These all get “there” through patient gentling and great trainers.
Because of their once wild life, and the trauma of having their freedom stolen, removed from their homes, and torn away from their family, friends, and herds - they just know things a domestic horse will never know. As such, most think all Mustangs are the “wild” they see on tv and in movies. Given the right patience, love, care, and training, these horses CAN do great things.
Now, yes - some are meant to stay “wild” - I own one of those. BUT, even he is kind as long as I check my ego at the gate .
I think I will proudly wear the label of “mustang owner” - whatever THAT looks like.
Yep. I own a legend (or 6).
Mustangs need training
Training your animal, specifically your MUSTANG seems to be “non-important” these days.
Lately, I’ve found myself SURROUNDED by mustangs with ZERO skills. They can’t be caught, haltered, lead, pick up their feet, or allow being tied, groomed, or vetted. These are basic skills they are lacking.
They are not mean or dangerous - they are just “uneducated”. These are NOT cattle & quite honestly, I have seen better trained cows.
NOW don’t misunderstand - it is NOT that Mustangs are incapable of training - in fact, they are more than capable of training. Look at any Mustang trained by Marsha Sapp, Elisa Wallace, Katie Morris or Tom Hagwood (there are hundreds more great trainers with highly skilled Mustangs). These horses can do anything and a lot of them do it better than well bred registered horses!
Now flip the channel and look at the feed lots. There are hundreds of horses - not even halter started. Why?? Honestly, that’s rhetorical so I won’t started on failed programs. I’m not here to debate the “why” … today.
I am furious for the horses as they have been robbed of an opportunity for a great domestic life because too many people are too lazy to do the work, don’t have the skill set, don’t want to learn how, just don’t want to be patient with the animal, or don’t have funds to afford even a decent mid level trainer.
It’s heart breaking. 💔
As a rescuer and trainer my job becomes 10x harder because now I have to treat physical issues, starvation, injuries, plus convince the animal that people CAN be trusted. Thank you horrible human who FAILED them initially. This is human error, not the horse’s fault.
So that being said— there is a multitude of organizations who ROCK at saving these Mustangs. They have HUGE support teams that rally in mere hours for “bail” to get these guys SAFE and yet, so often, NO ONE is willing to continue to offer additional support to them to REALLY set these horses up for success.
How does it make sense to bail them and NOT prepare them for a successful life? Do egos get stroked and fulfilled once that “donate now” button has been clicked? Does said donor then stop being a caring person? No, I don’t believe that’s the case. I think many folks just don’t understand that is ONLY the beginning and that these horses are not truly SAFE, yet!!
The sanctuaries where horses are re-wilded are FULL . The rescues are TAPPED OUT housing these horses across the country so they have limited ability to help more.
PLEASE think about this for a second — If you’re looking to ADOPT or PURCHASE a horse, feel free to scroll by an untouched horse and instead, maybe consider one that has been gentled, is friendly, and has some skills!
With that said, I challenge you all … our Mustangs are bleeding into dog food cans and the “out of country meat market” and this is based on simple FACTS. We MUST add value to these horses .. otherwise our efforts are In vain!
There are a handful of successful efforts, but it’s not enough! Please continue to share rescue posts. Getting the word out helps.
The work to truly save these horses starts with training. In an effort to at least get these guys a good start in domestic life I am offering discounted services to “halter start” these horses to every legit rescue trying to save Mustangs.
This is NOT a ploy to enhance my own business. This is truly an effort from the heart, but I can’t rescue, rehab, rehome on love, blood, sweat, and tears alone. This effort is simply born from the FACTS - untouched horses have limited adoptability whereas trained horses more easily get homes. This “circle of life” can not stop once they are bailed - we have to finish the job.
Want to help?
Not a rescue, but want to help a Mustang be ready for a forever home? Fund halter training for ONE Mustang …
Quarantine
I want to talk a bit about “quarantine” services.
This is a vital & necessary service for anyone purchasing a new horse. This is crucial to the many folks now saving horses from kill pens or feed lots. Many lots offer quarantine services - but is it REALLY quarantine??
I’m curious.
Here’s the medical importance - bio-security is a must. Period. The goal should be to prevent the spread of illness and facilitate healing. Meaning, you can’t walk in a pen to feed a horse & pet them and then walk to the next pen and fill up water. By doing so, you have now cross-contaminated! You’ve spread “cooties”!
Pens or corrals need to be separated by 20 feet or more on ALL sides to prevent the spread of airborne flu type viruses, strep (Strangles) and Equine Herpes virus. Yes, 20 feet. If the horses can touch noses - it’s NOT a quarantine situation. Water troughs should not be shared and water hoses should be specific to each quarantine/isolation site. Buckets, hoses, scoops, halters, lead ropes, hay bags, poop scoops, etc. - even your boots and gloves need to be cleaned after EACH episode of exposure to a potentially sick animal.
Bleach!! It’s cheap, easy, and effective.
Transporters/haulers need to disenfect trailers in between loads. If this step is not taken fomites (solid objects) may carry illness and bacteria for a period of time, causing exposure to the next horse or horses loaded onto the trailer.
Lastly, quarantine should include:
nutritious food with ample hay
supplements as needed to help with the healing of sickly animals.
worming as indicated
medication per your vet recommendation.
All of these should result in a poor/sick animal at arrival leaving a healthy strong animal at release day.
Below is a young stallion who came to us sickly and super skinny. His mom requested a “true” quarantine . She received TRUE services where her animal was safe and got healthier.
Photo #1 is from Day 1
Photo # 2 is from Day 28 - the day he boarded the trailer to head home.
Please consider all these things when buying horses from sale barns, feed lots, or kill pens! This is a specific service and is VALUABLE. If you’re “paying bail” - add this to your list and budget and be sure services offered are being executed and true to Veterinary guidelines.
True Isolation services are available at RJF Equine, Inc. All incoming horses coming from sale barns, feed lots, or kill pens are quarantined for 14/21/28 days. With evaluations every 7 days.
Contact me for more information, rates, and, availability.
The freezebrand
The Freezebrand
“What’s that mark on their neck? It looks hieroglyphics.” Is a question asked by most folks unfamiliar with wild Mustangs and burros..
Those marks are known as the freezebrand. An alpha-angle system used by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify each individual animal taken from the range. Each brand is unique and identifies the year (estimated) of the animals birth and the Herd Management Area (HMA) the animal was gathered from, along with a serial number.
Freeze Brand
by Andrea Bassett
That white mark means he is Strong.
His hooves don’t need shoes, his lungs create the wind, and his legs will last forever.
He has survived the tests of time.
That white mark means he is Brave.
He has overcome unbelievable fears to become my friend.
He will do anything I ask because he trusts that I will not let him get hurt.
He is always willing to try.
That white mark means he is Loyal.
He could kill me if he wanted to, but he yields to my wishes.
He could jump the fence or throw me on the trail and return to the wild,
But I know I can trust him to take care of me.
That white mark means he is Wise.
He turns to face his fears to decide which ones are worth running from.
He has taught me more of his language than I have taught him mine.
He remembers everything.
That white mark means he belongs to Mother Nature.
Those shapes are his birth certificate and his social security number.
No one can steal him from me, but she created him, and he is hers.
He would rather be in the forest than in the barn.
That white mark means he is Freedom.
He reminds me every now and then that he doesn’t have to let me halter him.
But he usually does anyway.
That white mark means he is America.
He is the land that he ran across, and his veins hold history.
He is a Living Legend.
©April 2005 Andrea Bassett
All Rights Reserved