ridecamp@endurance.net: BLM

BLM

Randall Aldridge (limberlost@worldnet.att.net)
Sun, 5 Oct 1997 20:04:06 -0500

This is in response to Dorothy's message about the PBS feature. I saw that
show & my perception of it was entirely different. The show was about 2
men who came up with a plan to easily & effectively gentle mustangs. The
BLM expressed an interest in their method & arranged for a demonstation.
They converted a trailer to a box w/exits on both sides & sm pens around
both exits. They took a mustang & put it in one of the pens w/both doors
on the trailer open. They let the mustang go from one side to the other to
let it get used to the box, then they closed one door & then the other
which had an opening for the horse's head to project outside of the box.
The box was then filled w/wheat which confined the horse but also kept it
from hurting itself. The horse was carefully watch & wheat let out of the
box if the pressure was too much. The theory on this was that the pressure
of the wheat would confine the horse & keep him from hurting himself but
would also help to calm him. Native Americans used similar methods by
putting horses in deep water or sand. The horse was then rubbed around on
his head to get him used to people touching him. He was then shown various
things like cloth, plastic, pads, bridle, etc., & rubbed with them. Yes,
the horse could not get away, but he also could not hurt himself & he
certainly did not look like he was giving up & dying. When the process was
over, the wheat was let out of the container & the horse allowed to exit
into the pen. The horse was fairly calm - 20-30 minutes ago it was pretty
wild. The process of introducing people & handling & things was repeated
with the horse responding well & not being afraid. They repeated this
process w/2 or 3 more horses with the responses being similar. Several
people who were there adopting horses were having their horses gentled this
way. Also some of people were repeat adopters & mentioned how long it took
for them to get their previous mustangs to let people approach them.
I'm sure the main reason why the BLM is considering this method is to make
the horses more adoptable. If the horses can be gentled before they leave
then this is a big plus. Sure the horses would be better off free & wild
but better to be adopted to a good home than going to the meat market or
being shot by ranchers or starving in harsh winters. This would open a
wider market of people willing & able to adopt wild horses. Especially
since it's been found out that a lot of BLM horses are winding up in the
slaughter houses.
Anyway, I'm sorry but I disagree with you Dorothy. This seems like a way
for BLM horses to be gentled w/o a lot of trauma & to make it easier to
find homes for them.
Sorry ridecamp to make this so long but I had to respond since my view of
this was so different.
Christina & Khali (Arab w/an attitude)
& Dolce (Morgan - patience is not my virtue!)

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