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BLM Mustang!

8K views 62 replies 20 participants last post by  MangoRoX87 
#1 ·
I Just adopted A BLM mustang! She is pretty new off the range, and is still at palomino valley (I pick her up in about two weeks). I picked her out because they said the mature mares usually don't get adopted. She is 3 years old, and technically a pony at 14 hh.

I have a couple questions. I would love to hear from anyone who has gentled a mustang. I would LOVE advice from anyone who has the time and inclination to share some.

I would also like to get opinions on what her color is. I cannot upload pics because it is not an option on my phone. I will do it as soon as I can, I am sure it would help ;) Anyhow, I know her base color is bay. Her whole body is covered in very crisp white dime-quarter sized white spots. The lines of her jaw are also white. I could not get close enough to see if she was mottled, and had appy eyes, but I suspect she is a snowflake Appaloosa. My only hesitation with that I have never seen one with clearly defined white blotches (like a reverse leopard), instead they look like they were dusted with snow (smaller white flecks). Has anyone seen a horse like this? I googled pictures but I could not find anything like her. Thanks in advance guys!
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#2 ·
#4 ·
I am SO jealous of you! I have always wanted to adopt a mustang from the BLM! Are you planning on competing with it (like the Extreme Mustang Makeover)?

I personally do not know of anyone who has gentled a BLM horse, but i'm pretty sure if you were to look up some mustang organization, and contact some trainers, they could have some great tips for you!

Good luck!
 
#5 ·
I have a BLM curly mustang - I bought him because he was a curly and not a mustang. I didn't 'gentle' him but he had a lot of trust issues when I got him - he still snorts at men. Anyway he's super loyal and great on the trail - he's very instinctive and good in a herd environment, overall he's a great all round horse. Good luck with your mustang!
 
#6 ·
Congrats!

I adopted a yearling colt last October and have been working with him since... loving every minute of it too! I know of several mustang communities where you can ask questions and meet fellow mustang owners, trainers, admirers.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about owning or working with a mustang (or find someone who can answer the question if I'm not sure).

One awesome mustang trainer whose techniques might come in handy for you is Kitty Lauman. She's got a few videos on YouTube, as well as DVDs you can buy if you like her style.
 
#7 ·
Congrats on your new addition and I am going to anxiously await pictures.

I have trained 2 mustangs and the only suggestion I can offer is that if you've never gentled a horse before, it would be in the best interest of both you and your mare to get help from a reputable trainer. Mustangs tend to have a heightened fight/flight reflex and if you push even a bit too hard, they can and will turn on you. That's why I ended up with my first one, because he had terrorized the people who adopted him.

However, after they are gentled and begin to have a bit of trust in you, they are extremely loyal. Both of mine made really nice horses. The first one (the one who was really aggressive) is my heart horse and will be with me until the day that he dies. The other, I gave to the daughter of a good friend and then spend hours every day riding trails, towns, and just having fun.
 
#8 ·
Totally agree - after gaining my horse's trust he is now completely awesome. He 'joins up' really well and follows me round like a big dog - his senses are definitely more heightened than a regular horse and when we are on the trail he is the first to detect if there is a bear in the area. I find he has a lot of common sense and is always communicating with me using snorts...
 
#10 ·
I heard that it can take 6 months or more for a mustang to be "gentled", so it seems to me that I aught to be the one to "socialize" her so to speak, and then send her to a trainer for "under saddle" stuff. I don't want to rush her, and I think it would be silly to send her to a trainer and sit around to get used to people. Maybe there is something that I don't understand about this?
 
#11 · (Edited)
Wow, that is certainly some unique coloring. What color do they have her papered as?

ETA: Depending on the individual horse and the individual trainer. I was riding both of mine within a few hours of setting out to ride them, but I have fairly extensive experience myself and I had the help of a very experienced trainer that had handled horses similar to 'stangs before.
 
#13 ·
First off congrats!

Second....the biggest thing you can do when you first get her home is to just simply spend time with her. Not training....just hanging out. If you have never gentled a mustang I would strongly suggest you get in contact with a reputable trainer who knows mustangs. They have a very heightened sense of fight/flight.

On the good side their body language is very easy to read vs a domestic horse. (or so I think) Also, I love how sure footed they are. But, once they trust you and are gentled they make wonderful horses that can excell in many different areas.

Personally I would check out kitty lauman....I love her style of taming (bamboo pole method) and urge you to check out some of her videos.

Just remember you are in for the long haul. I have my mustang mare because her previous adopters had no idea how to gentle her or care for her and simply turned
her loose. It has been a long journey for us to help her...but well worth it.

Good luck and enjoy:)
 
#14 ·
Wow, she's cool! Can't wait for better Picts! I'll live vicariously through you...
Looks like she's got a nice head on her, pretty neck too.

As far as advice goes I adopted an untouched practically feral 2 yr old stud colt, kept him up, gelded promptly, got him halter broke. Had lots of problems with his head, but he loved a good butt scratch! Eventually got him over that. I'd keep her separate for quite a while and do lots of getting to know you. I didn't saddle break him, I'm no stang expert so I'll be watching your progress!
How exciting!
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#18 ·
I adopted mine last Feb. He was recently gelded and joined me and my other horses in the pasture. We worked on trusting each other and so far he has done everything I ask of him. He follows me everwhere even into a trailer. My other horses will not go into thorny trees or bushes. My mustang will study it, then back into the branches breaking them and then turn around to eat the grass growing in the area. He is too young to ride but as good as he is doing now I can not wait to ride him. You do have to earn a mustangs respect you can not demand it. I am amazed with mine. Enjoy your stang and enjoy what she can teach you too. Are you planning on keeping her in a stall? I've seen several that tried to jump the stall door or jump a four foot fence.
 
#19 ·
I plan on keeping her in a separate smaller run with a run-in shelter. They made sure I had 6 foot panels before they agreed to adopt her too me. We have a couple mustangs in the family... But they all came to us already gentled. Thank you for the videos AlexS.
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#21 ·
We adopted a yearling Mustang last summer. We've done quite a bit of desensitizing and groundwork with him. He learns quickly and, once we gained his trust, he'll follow us into new situations pretty easily. I agree with what others have said about a heightened flight/fight instinct. I suspect, with one that's been free roaming for longer, that is probably even more true. I think it's important to keep them separate from other horses until you build a relationship with them and they look to you as their leader, and let them take their time to warm up to you. Once they trust you, I think they have a loyalty that domestic horses rarely do. Good luck.
 
#24 ·
if you can afford it, and if they have space currently available, you can pay to have her halter broke and (given her age) saddle broke as well by the wranglers or volunteers at the BLM.

also - i'm pretty sure i've seen your mare a few times. ;)

Really! Sounds neet, I'll ask about that. You have seen her!?!? What color do you think she is? And how in the world coils resist her?
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#25 ·
yeah it can't hurt to ask. there are typically volunteers around who work with some of the horses in an attempt to make them "more adoptable". it's typically the youngsters though that they work with. you CAN however see about the wranglers putting 30 days on her. idk/idr the cost of it but if they have time/space it is possible. we have a mustang down there currently for saddle training. hopefully he'll be back this month.

i'd say she's an appy coloring for sure. or a REALLY strange roaning. i drive past them every day so sometimes it's hard not to drive off the road when looking at some of them. i know what you mean about some nice buckskins out there this time. wowza! quite a few pintos and palominos as well.
 
#27 ·
She seems fine as she's in with others. When you get her home it could be another story. Mustangs have been know to scale 6' fences for almost a standstill. Many will seemingly try to commit suicide to escape a perceived threat. Be sure to not look her in the eye, but the ground near her hooves. Whichever body part you look at she may perceive that you are getting ready to go after that. If you can get the wranglers to work with her for a month or two that is likely your best bet.
 
#28 ·
I am picking her up on Friday! :D But I just thought of a couple more questions if y'all could be so kind. How do I go about getting her feet trimmed? Do I just need to quickly get on her "taming down" process? The guys at the BLM kinda made it seem like it was best to take our time, but I am religious about hoof care. Also, how soon can I make find out about her "foal" status? The guy we talked to said that all of them have the potential to be with foal, but the 2-3 year olds were a safer bet then the more mature mares. I am prepared for Her being in foal as a reality, I would just rather she not be... Haha. Anyone have any advice on how to proceed? Thanks!
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#29 ·
Oh, and I guess they are minimally manned in the winter... Since most people adopt in the spring... Therefore they do not offer any halter breaking. They said they will put a halter on for me though. Is that a good idea? I am planning on having a local trainer with mustang experience to come help me out with the filly. Thanks again guys!
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