We like to think of captured mustangs as fresh, unspoiled horses, free of many of the problems we find in domesticated breeds. After years of working with my own mustangs and many others, I’ve learned that these wonderful horses often come to us with significant challenges to their physical and mental health.
During capture they experience severe trauma, as they are chased into holding pens with aircraft, separated from their herd, given many vaccines within a short period, and kept in a comfortless, unnatural environment. Transport to adoption events and to their new home in a dark, rattling trailer on busy freeways or winding roads can also result in injuries and tremendous stress. Evaluate your new mustang’s status, then help him (or her) recover mentally, emotionally, and physically in order to be able to accept gentling, human companionship, and riding.
This beautiful gelding from the Carter Reservoir herd arrived lame from a transport injury. Part of his left-sided mane twists to the right side, a clue to the scar tissue that stiffens his neck and right shoulder.
Bodywork can help tame a horse. Even before he accepted a halter, Tesoro allowed massage to clear scar tissue and free up his right shoulder.
Deeper work after he accepted a halter helped Tesoro learn to appreciate what people have to offer.
When she arrived as a yearling, Bella (another Carter Reservoir horse) moved with her tail held stiffly out behind, a sign that her spine was damaged. Her first willing contact with people was to let them massage the muscles of her hindquarters.
A year later, Bella has a relaxed, strong and graceful walk. However, chronic skin problems show that her immune system is still struggling to repair itself. She received 15 vaccines (8 on capturing, and 7 repeated 3 weeks later) during her first month in captivity.
Mojave’s face shows the depression and shutdown state that many mustangs live in after capture.
Mojave has learned to enjoy human company. One way to help mustangs open up to their new life is to use flower essences, which can heal emotional trauma.
A straight back – isn’t that what we want for a good strong horse? It depends . . . on our definition of “straight” and also on our idea of structural and muscular strength. During capture wild horses are subjected to tremendous stress and often, injuries to their spine (as well as to their mind […]
