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Bella and Me |
I’ve been in love with wild horses since I first read Marguerite Henry’s book, Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West. I grew up a horse-crazy little girl, like so many of us, but didn’t have my own horses until I was an adult. When I heard the stories of Wild Horse Annie, and the passing of the Federal bill to protect wild horses and burros in 1971, I knew I wanted to have one of these horses in my life! I didn’t own a truck and trailer then, so I had to let it go for awhile! I kept dreaming of owning my own wild horse and had to comfort myself by riding a lot of other people’s horses! Then in April of 1986, a couple of months before my wedding, I talked my fiancée into going to the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA to “just look” at the wild horses and burros! Oh, My! I went home with a list of about 15 horses that just fit the bill! I ended up adopting a 2-year old filly and today, almost 20 years later, she is my best buddy, trail companion and the most sure-footed, all-around talented horse around and I still have my husband, too! In about 1993, I adopted a just-weaned jack burro, Diego, from the Ridgecrest, CA corrals and he was absolutely the biggest character and best “lawn ornament” - really just a big dog. I loved him so much. It broke my heart to have to put him down 2 years ago. Someday I’ll have another burro! Becky _______________ When I rode endurance in California back in the 70s & 80s, I knew several people riding mustangs and I was impressed with them. My brother-in-law and nephews had adopted a couple of them too and were real happy with them as overall riding horses. When we moved to New Mexico, we wanted horses ideally suited to our environment and mustangs seemed perfect for that. There was also the attraction of getting a horse completely undamaged by people and the domestic environment. Carmon & Mike ___________________ My reason for adopting a burro was pretty simple; the love of the animal and to give back just a little of what the 4-legged animals in my life had given to me. I perhaps adopted sooner than I'd expected though. After viewing the BLM burros at Red Bluff, CA (I'd been on-line looking for some time) I just could not let the one remaining burro go back to the Litchfield Corrals near Susanville, CA. I had to bring him home. Since then I've learned that he also was 'unadopted' at an adoption held in Stockton, CA. I believe in kismet....and he was just supposed to come home with me. It took about a total of 2 seconds to absolutely fall in love. Everyday I tell "Darrell" that he's a lucky boy and how much I love him! What I have learned is that the burros are gentle and loving and giving. At least for Darrell - trust came very quickly and I just find that amazing knowing where he came from and how he must have lived. Darrell is a 4 year old jack. What joy he gave me when he 'brayed' for the first time when I visited, and the quiet nickers he gives me just because he's happy to see me. When I first thought of adopting a BLM burro, it was just to give one a home. However, I hope to give my little giant a job. I'm planning to pack him and go into God's land when I need some R&R. Until then, he's happy, I'm happy... and I wish every BLM adoptee would find a home. Ruthanne _________________ I met my first mustang in 1977, when I was still a teen. From the moment she allowed me to touch her for the first time (the first person besides her adopter that she allowed to touch her) I had it in my head that I wanted to adopt one someday. This same filly turned out to be such an awesome, smart, sensible (and pretty, too) all-around horse, that it only helped to solidify that desire. Last time I saw this mare, she was almost 20 years old and still great. I’ve worked with all kinds of horses over the years, many of them rescues or abused. I wanted a chance to work with an “unspoiled” horse; a clean slate, so I adopted a mustang. A mustang is like no other horse I’ve ever known and I’m hooked for life. Sandy ___________________ Back in the 80's, I was invited to an adoption taking place in Burbank. I visited not knowing anything about wild horses and burros. I just went to take a look and fell in LOVE with what I saw. I grew up around very expensive dressage and hunter/jumper horses. I rode many breeds as a child. But nothing spoke to my heart and soul the way these mustangs did that day at that adoption. Their eyes tell a story. Their heart and intelligence also shows in the look they have. I was not able to adopt at that time. I was a single Mom, 20 years old, living in an apartment, but I knew that one day, I'd have mustangs. Over the years, I would drive to adoptions and just sit by the corrals and watch the horses anticipating the day one could come home with me. Many years passed, and in 2003 my husband and I purchased land and I got my first mustang, a bay gelding named Reno. Reno confirmed what I had believed mustangs were all about; intelligent, kind, strong, loyal and noble. My husband who thought horses were "just big dumb animals" has been won over by Reno. Now my husband teaches other people about mustangs. Mike respects these animals. We have just recently adopted a Salt Wells filly (Bailey) and an 8 month old burro (Jed). Never did I imagine that these wonderful animals would bring my family so much joy. With so much historical value they have made my family very proud to do our little part in educating folks to the majestic ways of these wild horses and burros. When given the opportunity we have found that mustangs with their natural outer and inner beauty often speak for themselves. I am grateful to BLM for allowing us the opportunity to be a part of history, and for the concern and care they show for these animals! Kate __________________ I adopted a mustang because I was just captivated by the horses that would come to adoption events held in my local area; their spirit, their raw beauty, their history; a romantic thing. I was attracted to the idea of learning to communicate with such a majestic animal and earn its trust and train it. Nancy _______________ I don’t seek out domestics anymore. Most of them that come this way are horribly messed up. A domestic horse that has not been properly trained is a lot harder to re-train and fix the problems than a fresh off-the-range wild horse. The trained horses are pricey, too. Generally, unless someone has fallen on hard times, or their child outgrew the horse, it has become obvious to me that the domestic horses people sell are generally their “problem child.” My husband and I have adopted several mustangs and burros over the years since we first adopted in 1977. We’ve rescued several, too and found them good adoptive homes. We use our mustangs and burros for trail riding, driving, packing, and just plain old lovable pets. Adopting mustangs and training them gives us a great sense of accomplishment. Ginny Top of page |
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Official Newsletter of the National Wild Horse and Burro Program
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