Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

For anyone considering a BLM mustang...

Please don't think that you need to be a professional or some kind of horse whisperer to take on one of these horses.  There is a lot of information out there on how to do this, and a lot of people willing to help you learn this process, which is not difficult, just takes patience and willingness to learn.  In fact, there is a week long workshop coming up (Sept. 19-25 I think) where there are lots of professionals coming together to teach participants all the in's and out's of this process.  You don't just watch them doing it, you actually get to be in the pen with a wild horse (and lots of good professional guidance) doing the gentling!

When I went last year, there were people of all levels of horse experience and from all disciplines who were part of the process of making completely wild horses into horses that could be handled, haltered, and in some cases, saddled in the course of just one week!

Like any horse, mustangs are not for everyone, and of course, not all of them are perfect for endurance.  But if you are considering a mustang, for whatever purpose, look into some of the resources out there to help you train them, and if you have the chance, check out this workshop.  www.wildhorseworkshop.org   

Karen (wishing I could go back to the wild horse workshop this year, but husband is coming home from Baghdad for 2 weeks R&R, so I'll gladly skip this one and be back next year!)


In a message dated 9/7/2004 5:41:45 AM Pacific Standard Time, whytrotfarms@xxxxxxxxx writes:

> if you are serious about buying a good endurance horse and paying a rock bottom price,  get a mustang!  you can find one of just about any size, shape or color.  prices start at $125 for younger stock at the blm adoptions, but you can find some 4 years old and up for $25!  thats right, $25!  that is what i paid for a five year old mustang stallion,



Bless you for doing this - bringing a otherwise undneeded horse into your life. But - there always is a but:) - remember that not everyone (in fact, few people are) is prepared to raise, train and patently handle a "wild animal". Frankly a ton of people are unable to manage domestic horses (judging by the huge business for trainers and "natural hrosemanship" clinics thriving? and it would follow that few people are qualified to do what you have done. While this may be a very good option for the skilled, experienced AND mature, I would fear encouraging the rank and file riders, many who are first time horse owners, acquiring a mustang thinking this was their ticket to partnership and competitive success - only to be bit in the butt, so to speak.  havign seen both scenarios - the success story with an accomlished horsewoman who I had known for some time, as well as the horror story with another - it woul be reasonable to add a caveat that this avenue is not for the greenhorn or those with little time AND patience. As much as I would love to have one of these terrific horses, I know that I do not have the time right now to do right by one. Perhaps in another year or two!

San