Things to Consider Before Adopting
Organizations that facilitate mustang adoptions regularly see horses rehomed because the adopters have failed to realistically consider their own qualifications as a mustang owner. Many horse lovers, even ones with years of experience, find themselves unprepared for the challenges of adopting a mustang. The two biggest obstacles to permanent adoptions are, not understanding the amount or type of training a wild horse requires, and secondly, being unprepared for the financial burden a mustang can pose. The price of caring for a mustang is similar to that of a domestic horse, and any significant extra expenditures for a wild horse incurs is usually for hiring a professional trainer. Therefore, this article will focus on the training factors potential adopters should think about before embarking on the amazing journey of mustang ownership.
Current Level of Training
Several terms are used to describe the amount of training a wild horse has received. Here we will try to set out general definitions for some of these descriptors, but please be aware that there is much room for variation of interpretation by individual trainers. The best way to assess the horse’s level of training and your compatibility is by observing the horse being handled and interacting with the horse yourself.
Wild – Horses coming straight out of BLM or Forest Service holding have no training at all. The only human contact will have been the amount needed to process the horse for adoption, which usually includes branding, castration, vaccination, and tagging. Processing is done in a squeeze chute with minimal human contact helping to keep the horse from developing excessively negative associations regarding people. It is recommended that only adopters with plenty of patience and experience training many different horses, including foals and horses with behavioral issues, tackle the challenge of starting a completely wild mustang.
Gentled – A gentled mustang will have had weeks or months of handling. Usually, term refers to a horse that can be haltered, leads to some extent, and can be touched over most, or all of its body. They often accept feet being handled and will trailer load, but those skills can’t always be assumed. A gentled horse still needs a very knowledgeable handler to continue its training and create a successful adoption.
Saddle Started – A horse can be called saddle started if it has been introduced to basic tack, but has not been ridden yet. While it might mean the horse has been driven from the ground, or even carried the weight of a rider, it is best to ask exactly what the trainer has done with the horse and what experience the horse actually has.
Green Broke – Some object to using the word “broke” when describing a horse’s training, but this is still the most common way to express that a horse has basic riding skills. A green riding horse should be able to carry a rider calmly at a walk and trot. Not all trainers will have cantered a green horse or have ridden it outside a confined area. The horse should understand basic control cues for halt, back up, and turning. Observation and detailed discussion about the horse’s riding background with its trainer will help an adopter decide if they have the skills needed to continue the mustang’s training.
Space to Train
The right facilities for handling a mustang are fundamental for their schooling. BLM requires adopters have fences 6ft. or higher for housing wild mustangs to prevent the horses escaping. It is important to have a pen of the right size when teaching a horse to be caught; too large and the mustang will easily avoid any contact with humans, too small and the mustang can feel trapped and react violently when approached. Even gentled horses can feel pressured and become combative in enclosures that are too small, or learn to evade handlers in a pen that is too large. Until a mustang approaches willingly and is extremely comfortable being in close quarters with people it should be placed in appropriately sized pen prior to handling. A pen, either round or squared, of between 300 and 1000 square feet is ideal. As with any horse, fencing of solid safe construction is vital.
Support
Even experienced mustang trainers occasionally run into roadblocks that cause them to seek help, or further their learning during the education of a wild horse. If you have adopted a mustang, have the advice and expertise of a professional trainer at your disposal! When choosing a trainer to work with your mustang, it is best to seek out someone who has previous practice with wild horses. A trainer who is only accustomed to putting “polish” on finished horses may be of little assistance to you with your wild horse. If you are unable to find a trainer with mustang experience in your area, a colt starter, or someone who rehabilitates horses with troubled histories might be your next best option. While videos and books are wonderful ways to learn training techniques, when you are faced with challenging behaviors there is no substitute for having someone physically there who can read the horse and the situation to offer advice.
Time
If you haven’t figured it out yet from reading all the preceding information, training a mustang takes a lot of time. Before adopting a mustang, be sure you have the time to invest. Every horse learns on its own time line and preserving confidence is of utmost importance. If you want your horse to learn quickly, then teach very slowly! Remember adopting a mustang is an act of love, linger in enjoying the journey with your mustang and you will have a relationship you can enjoy like no other!
Current Level of Training
Several terms are used to describe the amount of training a wild horse has received. Here we will try to set out general definitions for some of these descriptors, but please be aware that there is much room for variation of interpretation by individual trainers. The best way to assess the horse’s level of training and your compatibility is by observing the horse being handled and interacting with the horse yourself.
Wild – Horses coming straight out of BLM or Forest Service holding have no training at all. The only human contact will have been the amount needed to process the horse for adoption, which usually includes branding, castration, vaccination, and tagging. Processing is done in a squeeze chute with minimal human contact helping to keep the horse from developing excessively negative associations regarding people. It is recommended that only adopters with plenty of patience and experience training many different horses, including foals and horses with behavioral issues, tackle the challenge of starting a completely wild mustang.
Gentled – A gentled mustang will have had weeks or months of handling. Usually, term refers to a horse that can be haltered, leads to some extent, and can be touched over most, or all of its body. They often accept feet being handled and will trailer load, but those skills can’t always be assumed. A gentled horse still needs a very knowledgeable handler to continue its training and create a successful adoption.
Saddle Started – A horse can be called saddle started if it has been introduced to basic tack, but has not been ridden yet. While it might mean the horse has been driven from the ground, or even carried the weight of a rider, it is best to ask exactly what the trainer has done with the horse and what experience the horse actually has.
Green Broke – Some object to using the word “broke” when describing a horse’s training, but this is still the most common way to express that a horse has basic riding skills. A green riding horse should be able to carry a rider calmly at a walk and trot. Not all trainers will have cantered a green horse or have ridden it outside a confined area. The horse should understand basic control cues for halt, back up, and turning. Observation and detailed discussion about the horse’s riding background with its trainer will help an adopter decide if they have the skills needed to continue the mustang’s training.
Space to Train
The right facilities for handling a mustang are fundamental for their schooling. BLM requires adopters have fences 6ft. or higher for housing wild mustangs to prevent the horses escaping. It is important to have a pen of the right size when teaching a horse to be caught; too large and the mustang will easily avoid any contact with humans, too small and the mustang can feel trapped and react violently when approached. Even gentled horses can feel pressured and become combative in enclosures that are too small, or learn to evade handlers in a pen that is too large. Until a mustang approaches willingly and is extremely comfortable being in close quarters with people it should be placed in appropriately sized pen prior to handling. A pen, either round or squared, of between 300 and 1000 square feet is ideal. As with any horse, fencing of solid safe construction is vital.
Support
Even experienced mustang trainers occasionally run into roadblocks that cause them to seek help, or further their learning during the education of a wild horse. If you have adopted a mustang, have the advice and expertise of a professional trainer at your disposal! When choosing a trainer to work with your mustang, it is best to seek out someone who has previous practice with wild horses. A trainer who is only accustomed to putting “polish” on finished horses may be of little assistance to you with your wild horse. If you are unable to find a trainer with mustang experience in your area, a colt starter, or someone who rehabilitates horses with troubled histories might be your next best option. While videos and books are wonderful ways to learn training techniques, when you are faced with challenging behaviors there is no substitute for having someone physically there who can read the horse and the situation to offer advice.
Time
If you haven’t figured it out yet from reading all the preceding information, training a mustang takes a lot of time. Before adopting a mustang, be sure you have the time to invest. Every horse learns on its own time line and preserving confidence is of utmost importance. If you want your horse to learn quickly, then teach very slowly! Remember adopting a mustang is an act of love, linger in enjoying the journey with your mustang and you will have a relationship you can enjoy like no other!