Wild horses find unconditional love, homes
Wild horses and burros live as free spirits in ten western states, but when overpopulation occurs in the wild, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) steps in, directing these beautiful souls by helicopters down the mountains to be put into corrals, where they are given vaccinations and checked out for health issues before being cared for and taken to adoption events around the country.
Crystal Cowen, who has worked for the adoption part of the BLM department for 15 years stated, “Out west, wild horse numbers must be correct so they can survive; and the horses may appear calm here at these adoption events because they are used of seeing people but getting them into small trailers and having individual attention will cause a different reaction!”
She stated about 12 adoption events are held in her division of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico yearly, and people pay $25 to adopt one. Four months later, they receive $500.00 on a home visit; after a year, they are paid $1,000 and given a title when a BLM visit is completed.
Amanda and Wayne Ennis, professional ranchers and horse trainers from Hondo were coming for the first time to get a wild mustang.
Amanda remarked, “I learned a lot from my aunt,” and Wayne enthusiastically added, “I have been riding horses since I was eight years old!”
The pair discussed their style of horse taming, such as establishing a language of trust. Additionally, using a flag to push the air around the horses teaches them how to walk and establishes the owner as the boss.
After about a week, they are usually able to get a halter on them so they can walk beside them with a rope before attempting to ride.
They offered their number, 830- 741-1915, to those who need their horse professionally tamed and trained at their ranch.
John Waliky of Bandera, a professional cattle rancher and team roper on weekends stated, “I have been training horses most of my life but wanted to try something different by adopting a wild horse. Could take three days or a month to be able to walk them around, depending on the horse,”
Justin Phillips from Stephenville, a team roper at ranch rodeos for eight years stated, “When I was younger, my dad adopted ten wild horses and this is my first time, getting three horses today.”
Phillips detailed his process. “I will leave them alone for 30 days till they get used to their surroundings, then put them in a bucking shoot, brushing them for about two weeks to a month. Then, in about 60 days drop food nearby and attempt a halter and blanket on and off for two weeks, walking them around before attempting to put a saddle on them and riding them after about ninety days.”
“I have been thrown off and broke a shoulder once and even used a wild horse in a rodeo before!” he concluded.
Twelve-year-old Georgia Hickman of Bandera stated, “I’ve always loved wild horses ‘cause they can be wild and free, and no-ones telling them what to do. I feel I could win one over by being their friend and loving them,” she smiled as she lovingly admired the horse she hoped her dad would consider taking home.
For more information about future horse adoption events, including one scheduled for February in Seguin, contact BLM at 866-468-7826 or visit www.blm.gov.