Mustangs

Alamo a mustang from Utah who was rescued by Mustang Mission

Onaqui Mountain Alamo

Alamo is a gelding from the Onaqui Mountain HMA in Utah.  At eleven years old, he was removed in July of 2021 by the Bureau of Land Management.  Several months after, he was put up for sale without limitation due to his age, and he was in danger of going to the wrong home, or worse, a slaughterhouse.  I was looking for my first mustang to rescue and with the help of Red Bird's Trust, chose the plainest mustang I could find - a bay with minimal white.  Although many people may not have deemed him as "special" or "desirable", he is certainly very special to me and I couldn't have asked for a better first mustang. ❤️

Although most mustangs and burros that Mustang Mission rescues will be available for adoption, Alamo has a forever home with me.  He will be an ambassador for all mustangs and he will help train other mustangs to become happy, safe horses for their new families.  So many people along the East Coast don't know about the mustangs' plight, and it is my hope that Alamo's story will inspire others to start fighting for the freedom of mustangs and burros.

Alamo in the wild.  Photo Credit: Kisa Kavass

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Ember

Just a few months after rescuing Alamo, I learned about three young, thin mustang mares in a kill pen in Kentucky.  Although I knew I could not rescue all three, I decided to save the little red filly - Rune.  Many people came together and prayed, donated, and shared the fundraiser I had created.  In just a few days, enough funds were raised to pay for Rune's bail and transportation.  Just four days after I created the fundraiser, a local mustang trainer took Rune and boarded her at his property until the transporter could pick her up.  Four days after that, Rune was transported to North Georgia, where we picked her up a day later.

Despite some car trouble, we made it safely home.  Rune - now renamed Ember - was so happy to jump off of the trailer.  She had been in five different trailers in two weeks.  Although it took two days for me to touch Ember, she quickly overcame her fear of humans and realized that she could trust me.  She began to love attention - especially scratches.  Within a week of beginning training with Ember, she learned to lead and was able to walk to her new pen.  Ember is loving life, gaining much needed weight back, and continuing to progress in her training.  I'm grateful to have this little mare in my life for this next year.  I couldn't be more grateful to have been able to save her and give her a new, happy beginning. 💗

Ember has been adopted and lives with her forever family in Texas.  While making her owner's dreams come true, she's also a fabulous ambassador for mustangs!

Ember, when she first arrived at Mustang Mission.

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Rocket

Rocket is twelve years old and was a very successful band stallion when he lived in the wild.  Sadly, he was separated from his entire band when he was captured.  In late 2022, one of Mustang Mission’s board members, Mary Ellen MacDonald, approached me with the idea of rescuing Rocket and bringing him to Mustang Mission for gentling and training.  He had been one of the first wild horses she had seen when visiting Colorado, and she felt a strong connection to him.  I agreed to take Rocket in, and she won his bid during the auction at the end of January.  Rocket was a Sales Authority mustang (like Alamo), meaning he was offered for sale without limitations.  Horses like him frequently end up in bad situations.

On March 24, 2023 Rocket arrived safe and sound!  He settled in very well, but he was very shut down (due to the trauma he'd experienced for the last year).  It took months to bring him out of his shell, but his sweet, gentle disposition always shone through.  He taught me so much during his training process, for which I'll be forever grateful.

Rocket now lives with one of our board members in West Georgia.  He is a part of her equine therapy program, EquiHeart.  Recently, he has been doing therapy sessions with a veteran in a wheelchair, showing the compassionate and trusting nature of mustangs.

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Jackson

Jackson's two years before he came to Mustang Mission were nothing short of traumatic for a baby horse.  At just a few months old, he was captured from his home in the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming.  What happened between then and now we can only guess.  He was likely separated from his mother far too young and put in with a group of other yearlings.  Although just two years old, Jackson was also Sales Authority, and in a dangerous position.  When I picked him up at the Bureau of Land Management's adoption event, he was very skinny, but has quickly put on weight!

Jackson is proving to be highly intelligent with a sensitive, yet confident mind.  He may be a perfect horse!  I am enjoying training and spending time with Jackson.

Jackson Photo Credits: Lauren Olivia Creations

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Rudy & Cecelia

As the Bureau of Land Management's online auction approached, I noticed all the wild burros being added to the auction as sales authority.  Most were older burros (thirteen and over) - very likely to end up in a bad situation.  I decided to take action and save a few.  With the help of many generous donors, Rudy (gray burro) and Cecelia (brown burro) were rescued.

In May, Rudy and Cecelia arrived at Mustang Mission and began their new life!  They have been very different to train than mustangs, but just as rewarding!  Once gentled, burros love people and seek attention.  They are very calm and loveable, making them the perfect pet.  Rudy and Cecelia will be available for adoption (as a pair) very soon! 🤩

Photo Credit: Lauren Olivia Creations


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