Horses
Meet some of the horses helped by The Mustang Project.
Sierra
Sierra is one of 60 horses The Mustang Project took after US Fish and Wildlife Service removed the entire herd from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
Most of the horses received were older, in their teen and 20's, and have lived at the sanctuary as a wild herd. A few, like Sierra, were younger but had physical deformities, which most likely saved their lives. In addition, a few foals were born to mares once they were at the sanctuary.
For more information about the horses from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, click HERE.
Sierra is one of 60 horses The Mustang Project took after US Fish and Wildlife Service removed the entire herd from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
Most of the horses received were older, in their teen and 20's, and have lived at the sanctuary as a wild herd. A few, like Sierra, were younger but had physical deformities, which most likely saved their lives. In addition, a few foals were born to mares once they were at the sanctuary.
For more information about the horses from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, click HERE.
Sunrise
Sunrise was removed from her home in eastern she was 5 years old. Her adopter got legal title to her when she was 7 years old, and just over a year later she ended up in a kill pen in Texas (pictured here) waiting for the next truck to take her to a slaughter plant in Mexico to be "processed" for food.
When she arrived at the sanctuary, the driver said she didn't want anything to do with people. But we discovered once she settled in that she was very friendly, obviously well treated and handled. We're not sure how she ended up at auction to eventually be purchased by a kill buyer. It's a myth that only sick, old or injured horses go to slaughter, and that slaughter is necessary or that it is a humane death. Lovely, healthy sweet horses end up shipping to slaughter every single day.
Sunrise was removed from her home in eastern she was 5 years old. Her adopter got legal title to her when she was 7 years old, and just over a year later she ended up in a kill pen in Texas (pictured here) waiting for the next truck to take her to a slaughter plant in Mexico to be "processed" for food.
When she arrived at the sanctuary, the driver said she didn't want anything to do with people. But we discovered once she settled in that she was very friendly, obviously well treated and handled. We're not sure how she ended up at auction to eventually be purchased by a kill buyer. It's a myth that only sick, old or injured horses go to slaughter, and that slaughter is necessary or that it is a humane death. Lovely, healthy sweet horses end up shipping to slaughter every single day.
Shelby
Shelby is what is considered a "readopt" by the BLM. He was adopted, but then before the one year period was over for the adopter to get his title, they returned him to the BLM. Fortunately for Shelby, he went into a foster home and not back to the BLM holding facility. Going back to a holding facility would have given him another "strike". Each time a horse is offered for adoption and does not get adopted, they get a strike. After three strikes, BLM can sell them "without conditions", meaning he could have been sold to someone who could have shipped him directly to slaughter. (All horses over 10 years of age are automatically allowed to be sold "without condition".) His adopters had done some work with him, and the foster home worked with him as well. Going back to a holding facility would have undone any training he had as he would have been put back with all the other wild horses. Shelby is super friendly, smart, very tolerant, and has been ridden. Shelby is from the Devil's Garden HMA in north-eastern California. How many horses are adopted from the BLM and returned? How many people just wait to get the BLM Title and turn around and sell them at auction or give them away? Many people are not really prepared to gentle or train a mustang, and sadly Craigslist is full of such horses.
Currently the Devil's Garden horses are managed by US Forest Service, which has a separate adoption program from the BLM.
Shelby is what is considered a "readopt" by the BLM. He was adopted, but then before the one year period was over for the adopter to get his title, they returned him to the BLM. Fortunately for Shelby, he went into a foster home and not back to the BLM holding facility. Going back to a holding facility would have given him another "strike". Each time a horse is offered for adoption and does not get adopted, they get a strike. After three strikes, BLM can sell them "without conditions", meaning he could have been sold to someone who could have shipped him directly to slaughter. (All horses over 10 years of age are automatically allowed to be sold "without condition".) His adopters had done some work with him, and the foster home worked with him as well. Going back to a holding facility would have undone any training he had as he would have been put back with all the other wild horses. Shelby is super friendly, smart, very tolerant, and has been ridden. Shelby is from the Devil's Garden HMA in north-eastern California. How many horses are adopted from the BLM and returned? How many people just wait to get the BLM Title and turn around and sell them at auction or give them away? Many people are not really prepared to gentle or train a mustang, and sadly Craigslist is full of such horses.
Currently the Devil's Garden horses are managed by US Forest Service, which has a separate adoption program from the BLM.
Doc Holiday "Doc"
At the young age of 2 years old, Doc was considered a "three strikes" mustang. He was sold "without condition" to someone who bought truckloads of three strikes mustangs and put them on his ranch in Nebraska. The horses were not cared for, countless horses died at the ranch, and over 200 horses, mostly mustangs, were rescued from the brink of starvation. The Mustang Project, with the help of Lifesaver's, was able to take in one of the rescued mustangs. Here is Doc after he was rehabilitated. Because Doc was already 6 years old when he came here and was never handled, we decided he would live out his life here on his own terms. We've worked with him with target training, and he is just now letting strangers approach and pet him. He's come a long way since he's come here and we continue to work with him at his pace. Doc is from the Murder's Creek HMA in Oregon. How many "three strike" horses are purchased (at $10 each) and sold directly to slaughter?
At the young age of 2 years old, Doc was considered a "three strikes" mustang. He was sold "without condition" to someone who bought truckloads of three strikes mustangs and put them on his ranch in Nebraska. The horses were not cared for, countless horses died at the ranch, and over 200 horses, mostly mustangs, were rescued from the brink of starvation. The Mustang Project, with the help of Lifesaver's, was able to take in one of the rescued mustangs. Here is Doc after he was rehabilitated. Because Doc was already 6 years old when he came here and was never handled, we decided he would live out his life here on his own terms. We've worked with him with target training, and he is just now letting strangers approach and pet him. He's come a long way since he's come here and we continue to work with him at his pace. Doc is from the Murder's Creek HMA in Oregon. How many "three strike" horses are purchased (at $10 each) and sold directly to slaughter?
Wyatt Erp "Wyatt"
Wyatt was Titled by his adopter, and the very next month sold at auction to a "kill buyer" - someone who buys horses at auctions specifically to ship them to slaughter in Canada or Mexico. We found out about him and were able to raise the funds 24 hours before he was due to ship. As with many of the horses that are bought for slaughter, Wyatt was healthy, and had no vices or physical defects. He loaded right up in the trailer, leads, and picks up his feet. Wyatt is well mannered, as sweet as can be, and a real snuggle-bug. Wyatt is from the Antelope Valley HMA in northern NV. It is one of the HMA's that is being zeroed out by Madeline Picken's Mustang Monument and being replaced by a non-reproducing herd. Because of a generous sponsor, we were able to rescue and care for Wyatt. Far too many mustangs end up going to slaughter, either because the adopter does not have the knowledge or patience to work with a horse that has never been handled, or they, like many horses, are passed from home to home and eventually end up at auction or purchased by a kill buyer posing as a good home.
Wyatt was Titled by his adopter, and the very next month sold at auction to a "kill buyer" - someone who buys horses at auctions specifically to ship them to slaughter in Canada or Mexico. We found out about him and were able to raise the funds 24 hours before he was due to ship. As with many of the horses that are bought for slaughter, Wyatt was healthy, and had no vices or physical defects. He loaded right up in the trailer, leads, and picks up his feet. Wyatt is well mannered, as sweet as can be, and a real snuggle-bug. Wyatt is from the Antelope Valley HMA in northern NV. It is one of the HMA's that is being zeroed out by Madeline Picken's Mustang Monument and being replaced by a non-reproducing herd. Because of a generous sponsor, we were able to rescue and care for Wyatt. Far too many mustangs end up going to slaughter, either because the adopter does not have the knowledge or patience to work with a horse that has never been handled, or they, like many horses, are passed from home to home and eventually end up at auction or purchased by a kill buyer posing as a good home.
Spirit
Spirit was rounded up from the Devil's Garden Herd Management Area in NE California when she was 5 years old. This is the same HMA as Shelby. We don't know her whole story, but at some point her original adopter couldn't keep her and she went to several different homes before she ended up being listed on Facebook for $200, at the age of 16. At this price, and with minimal training, she was very much in danger of ending up in the wrong hands. Since she lived just around the corner from where we buy our hay, we offered to take her. We spoke to a previous owner, and based on her experiences with Spirit, we felt it was best to let Spirit be wild. She rather avoidant of people, but is gentle and easy to handle once caught.
Spirit was rounded up from the Devil's Garden Herd Management Area in NE California when she was 5 years old. This is the same HMA as Shelby. We don't know her whole story, but at some point her original adopter couldn't keep her and she went to several different homes before she ended up being listed on Facebook for $200, at the age of 16. At this price, and with minimal training, she was very much in danger of ending up in the wrong hands. Since she lived just around the corner from where we buy our hay, we offered to take her. We spoke to a previous owner, and based on her experiences with Spirit, we felt it was best to let Spirit be wild. She rather avoidant of people, but is gentle and easy to handle once caught.
Pumpkin Spice
At the age of 8 years, Pumpkin Spice was owned by a horse trader, and because he was a mustang and nervous around people, he was going to be sold for the brutal "sport" of horse tripping in Mexico. For anyone not familiar with this, it's when a horse is chased at high speed around an arena and then roped around their front legs, causing them to crash to the ground. This is done repeatedly until the horse either breaks their leg or their neck. His freeze mark indicates that he is from Utah and that he was titled when he was 4 years old. We don't know how he ended up at risk. Pumpkin Spice likes scratches and treats, but is still a little cautious around people.
At the age of 8 years, Pumpkin Spice was owned by a horse trader, and because he was a mustang and nervous around people, he was going to be sold for the brutal "sport" of horse tripping in Mexico. For anyone not familiar with this, it's when a horse is chased at high speed around an arena and then roped around their front legs, causing them to crash to the ground. This is done repeatedly until the horse either breaks their leg or their neck. His freeze mark indicates that he is from Utah and that he was titled when he was 4 years old. We don't know how he ended up at risk. Pumpkin Spice likes scratches and treats, but is still a little cautious around people.
Each of these horses, and many more, have been given the chance to live out their lives in safety and peace – no more dangerous roundups, no chance of going to slaughter – all because of generous donors like you.
Please send checks to: P.O. Box 1161, Corning, CA 96021
