Jun 15, 2024

Options for Helping Mustangs

Amanda Whitmire
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We know the facts, that there are 60,000 previously wild horses standing in pens waiting to be adopted. We feel called to help, but how can we do this? What are the options? There are a few! In my eyes, here are the three best ways to help:

1. Support a Sanctuary

There are many sanctuaries who have a mission of taking mustangs out of holding pens and moving them to larger pasture areas to live out their life "as a wild horse" and not be gentled by humans ever. If you are not in a place to be able to adopt your own mustang, helping these sanctuaries take in mustangs and care for them is a great way to get involved! You DO have to be very careful of the sanctuary's motives though, as many scammers pose as sanctuaries and really just bash the BLM in order to gain more donations which I believe goes against the mission. If you do decide to support a sanctuary or horse rescue, I urge you to go visit it first and ask a lot of questions. I personally do NOT support sanctuaries or rescues who bash/slander the BLM, or who advocate for solutions that do not include private adoptions. Private adoptions will be crucial in placing this incredibly large number of horses in homes to be cared for.

2. Support a For-Profit Riding Club or Boarding Facility That Supports Mustangs

Our ranch, although it is not a sanctuary, is a place that openly accepts, trains and supports mustangs connecting with humans. We NEED so many more riding clubs, ranches and stables that support mustangs coming out of the wild. (Especially boarding facilities that have 6' fences!) If you'd like to support a business that supports mustangs, search google for local riding clubs or boarding stables and ask if they support training/use of mustang horses in their programs. Ask them if they would board a mustang horse on their property, or if they have already. Ask if they allow mustangs in their local shows/schooling practices. Ask if mustangs could join their lesson program if it was a good fit? Ask boarding facilities if they would provide help with fencing/gentling/training a mustang if you had one there? If they say anything but supportive words, this is not a place to support financially if you're wanting to learn more about horses and ultimately, help the mission of the mustangs. We need to create and build an infrastructure for mustangs to be successful out of the wild.

3. Adopt/Purchase Your Own Mustang

Adopting your own mustang is the best way that I believe we can help mustangs out of holding! Although it is a bit more complicated to go directly to the holding pens or adopt from a local purchase location, you can do it. (Although I have found that working with a mustang gentling trainer is the ultimate easiest way to adopt! More info on mustang gentling trainers in the next section.)

Here is some info directly from the BLM website on adopting your own mustang:

There are many ways, as you can see, to adopt a mustang on your own. "To encourage more adopters to give a wild horse or burro a good home, the Adoption Incentive Program provides up to $1,000 to adopt an untrained wild horse or burro from the BLM. (An exciting benefit of adopting on your own vs. going through a mustang gentling trainer.) The goal of the program is to reduce BLM’s recurring costs to care for unadopted and untrained wild horses and burros while helping to enable the BLM to confront a growing over-population of wild horses and burros on fragile public rangelands.

Mustang 101 Vocabulary

The information below was posted from a fellow mustang lover Ashley Rose who is sadly no longer with us. I think it’s important info to know if your’e interested in getting more into mustangs!:

"Here is a little informational blog for all the newbies (some information may be wrong. If I missed something let me know as well)
BLM = Bureau of land management
MHF = Mustang heritage foundation
Brand= the 1st set the ones on top of each other tell the horses birth year. Next 2 tell what state processed the horse last 4 are the horses tag number and personal identification numbers when you combine the whole brand. Yes there are duplicates of numbers.Only a BLM official can tell you the full history they have on the horse.
SA or Sale Authority= a horse who has 3strikes or over the age of 10/11 years of age. Can be sold outright with no year contract means no titled either goes with a bill of sale.But a sale authority horse can be adopted and after the year you can get a title.
Strikes = either passed over at an adoption event(s),internet adoption(s) or returned for whatever reason. Strikes don’t always mean the horse is bad, untrainable etc. There are many reasons for strikes.A horse doesn’t just get 3 strikes and then stop. BLM will continue to offer that horse/burro up for adoption til either adopted or moved to long term holding. Highest number I have seen is 23 strikes.
Long term holding = usually are pastures leased from private individuals to house hundreds of mustangs/burros. These mustangs/burros run on hundreds/thousands of acres. And live out their life. Usually can not adopt once sent to LTH.
Hip brands= last 4 of their brand on the left hip usually means slated for long term holding. 2 letters example HB means fertility control has been administered. A hip brand doesn’t always mean SA either or 3 strike.
Single number on neck= fertility program.
Large U after brand on neck= sale authority
Short term holding= just that short term holding pens throughout the USA to temporarily hold the mustang/burros.
HMA = Herd management area
BLM regulations for adopting a mustang: TIP horses, gentled horses, yearlings and burros require 5ft fences. 2yrs and older wild mustangs require 6ft fences. And some sort of shelter attached to the pen or area that your new horse will go in. Each state has a different requirement for shelter so best to check out what your state requires. If you decide to adopt you must keep the mustang/burro for a year. After a year of ownership you will get a title application in the mail have your vet, farrier, BLM official, TIP trainer or other authorized person to sign off on it. Mail it in to the BLM and BLM will send you the title to your animal. Once titled you own the animal and no longer co own it with the BLM. You can not sell an untitled animal. You can transfer the animal if it doesn’t work out or other issues come out either with the animal or personal. Best to talk to your BLM official and see your options. Either returning the animal or reassignment can happen.
Reassignment= transfer the animal from your care to someone else who is BLM approved and you have permission to do so. BLM has different districts that cover different areas and states. Each district allows some version of different things they allow but for the most part they are pretty consistent. MHF host the extreme mustang makeovers, TIP challenges and some veteran programs. Along with the TIP program. They are in a partnership with the BLM.

Multiple ways to own a new mustang:
-Wild straight from an adoption/corral.
-TIP started meaning the horse will have the basics started(halter,lead,load,pick up feet) a TIP horse is started not a fully trained been there done that type. So still require work and time.
-Rescues alot of rescues around that may have a mustang looking for a home.
-Private sale.-Extreme mustang makeovers usually can get saddle trained horses.
-Prison programs as well have saddle trained horses.
-Extreme mustang makeovers are riding makeovers through the country trainers have 100 days to take from Wild to Mild. Most are under saddle some are not.
-TIP challenges are all in hand no riding challenge. Some shows will have open shows as well.
-Veteran programs helps partner veterans with a mustang for a few months to take from wild to mild as well.
-Prison programs match up inmates with a mustang and get that mustang or burro going undersaddle or pack trained. If you are stuck or need help with your mustang please reach out somewhere, someway, someone knows someone who can help.
No the BLM doesn’t sell to slaughter. But they do end up there by irresponsible adopters/owners."

24-Page Downloadable Guide

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/mystery-of-the-mustang-guide

Part 1: Guide to Bringing Home Your First Horse

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/blog/mystery-of-the-mustang

Part 2: The Ultimate Mustang Mission

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/blog/ultimate-mustang-mission

Part 3: Inspirational Stories From Mustang Owners

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/blog/inspirational-mustang-stories

*Part 4: Options For Helping Mustangs

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/blog/helping-mustangs

Part 5: Preparing For Mustang Adoption - What To Do (and Not Do)

https://www.whitmirecoaching.com/blog/preparing-for-mustang-adoption