The author, working for Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue, is working on gentling a mustang alone in a pasture who, though not suffering abuse, cannot be approached.
For an hour of every afternoon of the past week I've worked with a skittish Mustang at feeding time in his home pasture. The owners signed him over to the horse rescue, since they were finally convinced that they'd not be able to do anything with him.
It's often the case with BLM Mustangs, that folks who adopt don't really know what they are getting themselves into. Horses, at heart, are wild creatures. Mustangs even more so. They require an even gentler touch than mere flighty, backyard horses. But the mustangs come cheap, so it seems like a good deal at the time, but few owners have the time, patience, and skills it takes to partner with a wild Mustang.
It's not possible to halter him yet. He's too wary and suspicious. So, rather than force myself upon him, I've spent feeding time hanging out with him. At first I could not even get close, but after a while he'd sniff my hand and finally would let me touch his nose and later his forehead. At each successive feeding I worked on petting him just a little further back, starting at his nose, then his forehead, back to his neck and shoulder, his back, and finally his hindquarters. Today he was able to stand and let me pet him from nose to tail on both sides with nary a flinch.
Tomorrow we start the same routine with a halter and lead rope. Maybe in a few days I'll acutally be able to get him haltered....we shall see. There is no rush. Time means nothing to the horse. Everything will be done on his schedule....
