Cover photo by Pat Doak
by Terry Lidral
The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) is creating opportunities for a better life for the thousands of wild mustangs and burros being held in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) facilities. By working with the BLM, MHF has created a network of programs and affiliates committed to preparing wild mustangs and burros for adoption to caring homes.
“If you’ve ever had the privilege of knowing a wild mustang or burro, you know how truly unique and special they are,” said MHF spokesperson Amanda Mills. “There are currently around 80,000 wild horses and burros on public lands and another 60,000 are in BLM holding facilities. It is important that the wild mustang and burro populations are managed to maintain herd health and rangelands for generations to come.”
In 2001, a group of advocates for the wild horses and burros being held in the BLM facilities came together to form Mustang Heritage Foundation. Their goal was to increase the number of adoptions of these very special animals. “MFH’s purpose is to develop ways to create awareness about the versatility and trainability of the animals being held in BLM facilities in order to bring them into loving homes.”
“Mustangs are out there making a name for themselves in nearly every discipline,” Mills told us of the adaptable equines. “While they may not have a fancy name on their paperwork, they are handy, smart, athletic mounts that excel both in and out of the arena. Look around for that familiar brand at your next equine event.”
Not everyone is readily equipped with the proper facilities or knowledge to take home a wild mustang or burro that has not been introduced to humans or training. This is a major reason people refrain from considering adoption of these BLM equines. That is why MHF created programs that partner with capable trainers and handlers to gentle animals and make adoption more appealing to the average horseperson.
“The very first Extreme Mustang Makeover was held in 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas. The event featured 100 trainers who all had 100 days to train a wild horse and bring it to competition,” Mills told us. “That competition put MHF and the American mustang on the map by sparking interest in the breed and awareness of MHF’s mission.”
The EMM challenges trainers to build trust with an untouched wild horse in just 100 days. Horse and trainer then compete in three classes of skills at an Extreme Mustang Makeover event – handling and conditioning, trail and maneuvers. The makeover challenge is a unique event that provides the public with the opportunity to see first-hand what these wild horses can do with training. Each mustang participating in the adult division of the event is available for adoption in cooperation with the BLM.
The BLM formed a partnership with the MHF in 2006 in the organization of the Extreme Mustang Makeover program. Since its debut in 2007, there have been 83 Extreme Mustang Makeover events with 1,900 trainers participating. Over 3,900 wild horses have been adopted from EMM. Read more about the proram here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/partnerships/mustang-heritage-foundation
The Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) was also developed in 2007 with the purpose of preparing wild horses and burros from the BLM holding facilities for adoption within the general public through a partnership with private trainers throughout the United States. Each trainer registered in the TIP is carefully chosen for the unique challenge these wild horses and burros present.
“Within the application process to become a TIP trainer, applicants must demonstrate their ability to train a wild horse or burro. They must have familiarity with least resistance techniques and they must have BLM approved facilities to house an untrained horse or burro,” explained Mills.
“There are some unique challenges in working with wild horses and burros,” she continued. “Our goal is to ensure that each trainer we partner with in TIP is up to the task and that they are successful in their work. This is to the benefit of the trainer, the adopter and, most importantly, the horse or burro.”
MHF and TIP trainers facilitate the pairing of a potential adopter and their horse or burro. The adoption process is handled directly through the BLM. If you are interested in adopting a wild horse or mustang from the BLM, read more here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/adoptions-and-sales
“When a potential adopter finds a horse or burro through TIP, he or she must complete the adoption process as they would if they went directly to a BLM holding facility,” explained Mills. “Once the adoption is finalized, MHF compensates the trainer for their time and effort and the entire process starts over again. In fact, in many cases, adopters will choose to leave the animal with the TIP trainer for further training, providing additional business to the trainer.”
MHF is particularly proud of their Veterans & Mustangs and their Youth & Mustangs programs. Both programs are founded on the development of trust between horse and person.
“When these horses find their person/people, they shine. These animals have the ability to bring out the absolute best in their partners because they give them their all,” said Mills. “It is not a ‘working relationship.’ It’s a true partnership based on mutual respect. You get out what you put in with these animals which means they are not for everyone.”
MHF works closely with several veterans programs throughout the country and do host their own veterans programs from time to time. It is a program that gives veterans who are having a difficult time a way to move forward.
“Pairing a formerly wild horse with a struggling veteran and watching that relationship grow is a thing to behold” Mills told us. “Seeing tentative touches grow to vulnerability to enlightenment, and on to confidence and goal creation is heartwarming.”
“These horses are uniquely qualified to work in this field because they don’t give their trust and admiration freely. You must earn it,” she continued. “Learning to navigate to that point requires the student to release much of what they know (or think they know) to get the desired results. Learning those skills translate to life, jobs and relationships outside the program.”
For youths participating in the Extreme Mustang Makeover and MHF youth programs, it is a special journey. And the skills they learn transfer to their everyday lives.
“Pairing a wild horse or burro with a youth provides an opportunity to think outside the box. Parents who watch their kids navigate through the training and competition processes for an EMM or a MHF youth program say the growth they see in their child along the way is unmatched,” Mills explained about the benefits to the youth. “The kids are required to troubleshoot, research, branch out and come up with new ways of looking at things. Throughout, they must maintain the responsibility of working toward and accomplishing a specific goal within a given timeframe. It all carries over outside the arena to many walks of life.”
Mustang Heritage Foundation is committed to helping promote and facilitate adoption of wild horses and burros in BLM holding facilities. Through their programs, they are bringing opportunities for the public to see the possibilities of owning a wild horse or burro.
“If the thought of bringing a wild horse or burro home is both appealing and overwhelming all the same, MHF is here to help. Between our programs and contacts all over the country, we can help you find the horse or burro that’s sure to become your lifelong partner,” explained Mills.
“If you’re not in a position to bring a mustang or burro into your life at the moment but would still like to help us further our mission, you can visit our website at mustangheritagefoundation.org to donate.
