Happily ever after?

So what happens to all those mustangs that are put up for adoption each year? It would be nice to think that each one finds a wonderful owner and then ride off happily into the sunset. Unfortunately, such a fairytale ending is not common for these horses. Many well-intentioned people adopt mustangs without giving much thought to what caring for and training a wild animal will actually entail. This is not an endeavor one should not take lightly, and should really only be considered by someone with experience, or someone willing to enlist the help of a capable trainer.

While in college, I spent time working at Ever After Mustang Rescue, a place that took in mustangs, trained them, and then placed in approved homes. Most of the horses there were surrendered by owners that realized they were not qualified to train a wild horse. Many came to the rescue neglected, abused, and more fearful of humans than they were when they were wild, but with the hard work and dedication of rescue coordinator, Mona Jerome, many of these horses have been trained and placed with loving families.

While there are many similar rescue facilities, there aren't nearly enough to handle the number of untrained and unwanted wild horses in the country. Just yesterday I went to look at a young, mustang gelding who was purchased at the Eugene livestock auction, and is on his way back there at the end of the month. He is barely halter broke and spends all of his time in a muddy round pen with a leaky run-in shelter. While very cute, he isn't exactly what I am looking for. He is just over 14 h and at six years old, he probably doesn't have much growing left. He also doesn't quite have the build I am looking for in a dressage mount (though I think he'd make a killer little event pony). I was tempted to take him just to relieve him of his current situation, but reminded myself that I will be saving any BLM horse I choose to adopt from a similar fate, so I might as well get one that meets my needs.


Far too many adopted mustangs end up like this little gelding; untrained, getting passed from home to home. Mustangs have the potential to make wonderful horses, but do require a bit more work initially. If you are considering adopting, please really think about what you are getting yourself into.