Mustang Adoptions

[trailhound]

I also have a mustang. I adopted a three year old stallion from the internet adoption (there is one going on right now, check the website someone posted earlier and you will find a link for the internet adoption. I didn't have a ton of experience with horses, I had been bumming rides my whole life, but only owned one horse for about 9 months before I got my mustang. However, I had a back up plan- I found a great trainer willing to take him on if I couldn't do it.

I studied all of the different natural horsemanship trainers and ended up just using my gut and trying different things to see what worked. What you do need, I think more importantly than extensive training experience is common sense, tons and tons and tons of patience, and time. For me, working with my mustang was addictive- I was self employed and pretty much didn't work for a couple of months because I couldn't stay away from the horse, lol. If you don't have tons of time every day, you just have to have time for it to take longer in general. Every mustang is different. I have heard stories of people having their mustang under saddle in a matter of days, and some people who still couldn't touch theirs after years. I feel that my guy was pretty easy.

Adopting a mustang was a life changing experience for me. I was unhappy with my career (I had a landscape design and gardening business) and the training process led me to become a kindergarten teacher. It gave me a lot of confidence and a real sense of accomplishment.

This is goofy, but I wrote a poem about my experience. I am on vacation right now and can't find the file, but a fellow mustang adopter is an artist and put it on her website http://www.black-horse-design.com/MustangJewelry.html

My advice, do your research, have a backup plan, but if at all possible, go for it. Be prepared for the adventure of your life. My guy is 7 now and he amazes me every day.

By the way, it is fun to see everyone else's pictures of your mustangs!

Andrea

 

[chicks for better health]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I have worked with horses quite a bit, more so when I was growing up. I worked with draft horses for about 5 years almost every weekend. From halter training, ground driving, and wagon teams. I even had a couple that we trained to ride western.

I do not have extensive experience with training and absolutely no experience with mustangs, I don't think I have even seen one in person (at least a wild mustang).

I do have alot of free time, well I am self employed and can make the time. I am thinking about mustangs because they will require alot of time and thought, which will in turn give me the break from the day to day GRIND at work. Anybody that is a small business owner can probably relate.

I do also have a ton of patients, out side of work especially. I coach pee wee wrestling and at times have 30-40 kids from 3-16 on the mat with one or two assistants. I can keep them all under control and attentive for 2 hours at a time.

I am not ready at this time to purchase a Mustang, I am just starting to really research. I like the idea that somebody had to have a back up plan as a local professional trainer, to assist, coach, or take over. It will probably be a couple more years before I go for it. I need to do alot of prep, including finding a piece of property.

 

[lizardz]

Good for you for thinking ahead and doing research. Too many people think "Oh, this sounds like a good idea" and jump into horse ownership (be they mustangs or any other breed) and things wind up badly for all involved. Mustangs definitely have a different way of thinking from other horses, so it can present a challenge. That said, I love my mustangs and would highly recommend them, maybe not to everyone, but to those who can truly appreciate them. Good luck with your research, decision, and hunt for property!
Liz

 

[patandchickens]

It sounds to me like you are in a reasonable position to be thinking about it (from your background, expectations etc) and are certainly taking the smart route of finding out as much as possible FIRST

Can I suggest that you 'get your feet wet' by buying a "regular" green horse now, something that has not been started but does not come from a complex background and is basically used to people? Since it's been a while since you worked with horses this would be a good way of getting back into the groove of things, and getting up to speed with a more easygoing training subject

Then you can either keep it as a 'role model' for your future mustang to watch you work with, or sell it on to make room for the mustang.

If you have not already bought that book by Barbara Eustis-Cross (title is something like "Wild Horses: an Adopter's Manual") it would be worthwhile, although remember it is only one person's view and arguably glosses over some complexities.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:

You sound like someone that a mustang would be lucky to have. Hope it works out for you sometime in the future!