THE SPANISH MUSTANGS

Little Cayuse Ranch

In 2006 I was invited by Donna Mitchell, founder of the Spanish Mustang Foundation, to work with the mustangs at the Little Cayuse Ranch in New Mexico. For the next few years I spent two weeks every Spring with Donna at the Ranch working with the mustangs, from ranch born weanlings to horses roped off the Cayuse in Wyoming.

There is a quality felt with these horses, something old, even ancient. They are unique teachers, their survival instincts well-honed and close to the surface. As Donna would say, “Don’t get in a fight with a mustang, or the mustang will win”. It was a privilege to work with the mustangs and to come to know Donna, whose love and respect for these magnificient horses knew no bounds.

Neosho

In 2010 I was asked to start and prepare an 8 year old Spanish Mustang stallion, Neosho, for overseas transport. Neosho was chosen to become the first Spanish Mustang Stallion imported into Australia. He was rounded up off the Brislawn rangeland in Wyoming, herded into a trailer and brought to our farm for training.

A traumatic experience during the roundup left Neosho exceptionally distrustful of humans and ropes. When he arrived at our farm he was full of fear. It was an especially steep climb from where he began to becoming a relaxed, secure, trusting partner capable of safely and calmly handling the 30+ hour airline transport to Australia, as well as 2 weeks of quarantine at facilities on both sides of the journey.

A horse in panic on an airliner is a serious situation, and can lead to euthanasia if necessary. That was not an option for Neosho. He had to be absolutely solid under all circumstances and with unknown handlers.

When the time came for Neosho’s transport he made his journey with confidence and ease, and was spoken of as a gentleman by his handlers along the way.