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The Mustang
by Jodi Wilson
There is a common thread that runs through horse back riders around the world. The need to be free. That thread is thick in the American mind when horse lovers hear the word Mustang. The Mustang is the complete and perfect embodiment of American freedom, pride, strength and heritage.
This truly noble creature should be admired, but we assume this wild animal has the same American dreams we do. We forget why this beautiful animal has been able to exist in the wild. It is WILD. For centuries survival of the fittest has chiseled out an intelligent, strong, and self-reliant animal who's life depends on quick reflexes and independent thinking. They thrive on herd instincts, but rely on their own wit to live. Couple this with Disney's romantic story of "Spirit" and we have a perfect recipe for disaster.
We forget how domestic our 'purebred' horses are. They have spent those same centuries being reliant on humans for their most basic needs and being selectively bred for trainability and compatible personalities. There are some breeds so selectively bred, they will physically hurt themselves due to their strong drive for their jobs and riders. The flight/fight instinct is bred out of them, the complete opposite of their wild cousins. The domestic horse tolerates more mishandling and forgives more readily as humans have been a part of their life from conception. The domestic horse 'needs' us for survival while the Mustang has no need for us at all.
Don't get me wrong, when handled correctly this majestic animal can become a willing and trusting partner, but they demand an experienced hand to start their new life of domestication. It is critical that the Mustang receive the correct training from the beginning. If started wrong the Mustang can be made almost unteachable. Eventually, they can be recovered, but it becomes a long and tedious task that could have been avoided.
Just as in any breed there is variation in personality and talent, they have common traits as well. It takes painful patience and consistency to establish a line of trust and communication with the Mustang. Those who decide to take on the project of 'breaking in' a Mustang must be ready to spend as long as needed on the simplest of lessons and not be tempted to force or skip anything in the foundation training. There are many animals confined to backyards because no one has taken the necessary time to teach them how to deal with their fears. Or, someone has gotten hurt by them because someone thought it would be great to get a Mustang as a first horse and teach it themselves.
There is a Mustang I know who had to be taken from his first home as the owners that rescued him made that very mistake. They got him off the range at 2yrs as a first horse with the intentions of training him themselves. Well, they couldn't get near him, choose not to get help and left him in his stall for 3yrs while the halter he was brought in became embedded in his face. Another Mustang, taken off the range at 4yrs, came in for training at 10yrs with his third owner. He was 'broke to ride' however, he was still full of fear. He was afraid of being caught, afraid of your legs on his sides, afraid of fast movements from the ground or from the saddle. He had dumped this owner on trail, ran off, and didn't want to be caught. He too had been left to stand in a stall for years as the owner before became too afraid to work with him. In fact, they even tried to give him to a 'Mustang Trainer,' but he said the horse would not fit there relocation program. It took three weeks to get him through a lot of his fears on the ground including the movement of the saddle alone. It would take even longer to get him through all his fears when ridden.
When you consider it only takes $125 and a trailer to make one of these animals yours, you can begin to understand the fascination of many with owning a piece of American heritage. There are Mustang trainers in an effort to provide the Mustangs with homes that will help you pick out, trailer home and halter break your new horse. For well under $1,000 you are on the road of horse ownership. But, you need to realize it does not end here. Mustangs are not puppies that will just one day roll over and let you do anything you want to them. It takes hours of patience and training to get them safe and comfortable around humans. If you are ready for the commitment and the responsibility of not only caring for but also the training necessary to bring them into domestication.
The things you want to look for in your horses trainer is someone who is patient and consistent, kind yet firm, and most importantly is willing to spend the necessary time to bring your Mustang into the world of domestication. They need to keep your horses best interest ahead of schedules and deadlines as each horse learns at a different pace. Harm can be done in the beginning by pushing too hard as well as not being challenging enough. The trainer also must be able to communicate with the owner and teach them how to work around their new horse. And just as importantly, the owners must be willing to allow their Mustang the time it needs to make the transition and become a safe and reliable mount.
It is important that we do what we can to not only protect these amazing animals in the wild, but to also provide the captured animals with compatible homes. I believe with time they can become willing and trusting partners. In fact, there are mounted patrol units that only use Mustangs. And almost everyone has seen Mustangs in the Rose Parade so we know well they can be trained. Just let us not forget where they came from and be ready to undertake a great responsibility of not only providing these magnificent creatures with great homes but also the best foundation training.
Jodi Wilson is a recognized authority on the subject of horse training and has spent almost 30 years developing training techniques and solutions for horse owners no matter the discipline or breed.
About the Author
Jodi is an Accredited Josh Lyons trainer, and is Certified in John Lyons training techniques. Her website, Jodi-Wilson.com, provides a wealth of information to improve the relationship between horse and rider. Jodi is also available for clinics and demonstrations as well as lessons, apprenticeships, and horse training.Jodi has trained and competed in Reining, Sorting, Jumping, Dressage, English and Western Pleasure, Trail and Problem Solving.
Andrea Bocelli Time to say goodbye-A. Stangl 2009
Time to say hello to Linz AS 2009
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