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 …