What is a Spanish Mustang? "Mustang," derived from the Spanish "mesteno," is synonymous for stray or wild. Being feral, mustangs are tough and hardy. They have good strong bones and feet and are generally stocky and well muscled. Since they are bred in the wild, and not for any specific purpose, their physical builds vary more than those of domestic horses.  In order to preserve the true Spanish mustang you must understand the war horse of the Spanish Conquistadores. Spanish horses were Iberian, or Andelusion and Lusitano. There is some controversy regarding any Arabian lineage. These horses proved their agility and courage in the bull fighting arena. The characteristics of an Iberian horse have remained from prehistoric time through the Middle Ages, even with some influence of Northern European blood. In the Old World, this was the desired horse and was introduced into European warmblood breeds.

The Mustang is now considered a breed. The average size is approximately 14.2 to 15.2 hands weighing 1,000 lbs or more. Like domestic horses they can live 25 to 30 years. They are alert, naturally curious and gregarious animals. The mustang is innately swift, hardy, sure-footed, agile, intelligent and spirited. How wild is a Wild Mustang? Natural equine behavior consists of eating, drinking, seeking shelter, socializing, resting, breeding and avoiding danger. Doesn’t sound so wild until you imagine losing your freedom and being separated from your family and friends. When a wild horse is captured, it may not have ever encountered humans, who are predators. The Mustang, as a prey animal, has learned to survive by instinct of flight or fight and belonging to a herd for safety. Since mustangs are not accustomed to people they are naturally fearful of us and confined spaces. They react by instinct to protect themselves from perceived danger.

Mustangs are not like domestic horses which makes them so unique. It has been my experience that they exhibit the pure, innate characteristics of the horse without negative effects of human handling or training. Unlike domestic horses, mustangs have natural balance in their lives. Horses spend most of their time grazing, socializing and moving. Humans bring wild and domestic horses into unnatural settings. We ask them to allow us to control every aspect of their lives including when they eat, move and with whom they will interact.  These horses are not suitable for the inexperienced and are not like a domestic horse accustomed to handling. With patience and proper handling Mustangs can be trained to excel in many disciplines including English, Western Pleasure, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Barrel racing, and Team Penning. Wild horses have become champions in many competitive areas because of their sure-footedness, strength, and endurance. Young animals gentle more quickly than older ones. Not to say that older Mustangs can’t be trained, but it takes time, patience and understanding of their wild nature.

Why do we hold a sense of reverence for these iconic, free range animals to the point of great debate? Historically, since the genesis of man, humans have sought freedom. The desire for freedom resides in every human heart as it does in the wild mustang. We live in a country founded on the principles of freedom. The freedom that I speak of stands opposed to constraints.  Constraints that hinder our own desire bridle our innate creativity, growth and joy. We are naturally enchanted by pictures and stories of the wild mustang because we are envious of his power, nobility and independence.

As a trainer for the Wild Horse Rescue Center in Mims, Florida, I was given the opportunity to use my own positive training methods. The Center is a Bureau of Land Management safe holding center for reassigned cases. The mission of the Center is to raise public awareness of America’s wild horses through workshops, clinics and lectures. 

The economy hit the equine industry with a negative impact, but nothing compared to what has happened to wild and rescued horses. While wild horses still draw curious spectators, the market for adoption has slowed dramatically. Unfortunately the Bureau of Land Management, across the country, relies on adoption to help keep wild populations in check and the steady decline has left these magnificent animals in holding facilities or with adopted owners facing financial difficulties. There is a cost involved in caring for these animals and a 501c (3) in this adoption market is close to impossible to maintain.

Having deep roots in North Dakota I was exposed to wild horses in surrounding areas. Like the mustang, at a young age I experienced the freedom of riding across endless miles of  prairie with the wind in my hair. My first hands-on experience with these magnificent creatures was as a volunteer at the Center. I became a weekly volunteer with my friend, Susan Armstrong, in order to help some of the more difficult horses get started in their training. Most mustangs brought to the WHRC are not yet halter trained, though some have had halters forced on their heads. This adventure became my Tuesdays with Morrie, but with young wild horses. This was an adventure of love, compassion, strength and lots of humor.

Susan worked with the severe fear cases using Clicker Training. These mustangs were removed from owners for neglect or abuse. Since mustangs are extremely sensitive, the fear evoked by humans is difficult to reverse. Clicker training, done properly, opens the door for us to reconnect with these horses. This is a positive training tool and a form of "operant conditioning" used for behavior modification. Under normal circumstances a horse learns to perform a set behavior by being rewarded for a correct response. The reward is withheld until the horse performs the task. Since Clicker Training involves an immediate reward, a positive result can be achieved working with fearful horses. The actual sound marks the behavior with a promise of a reward.  This process takes a great deal of time and patience since fearful horses are usually in a right brain state of mind. Susan certainly has this gift. She has had great success with these horses.

I use  body language initially to establish a connection with a horse. This is an opportunity for the horse and human to assess one another.  Natural curiosity will generally allow the horse to be interested in what I'm doing. I call this “training by doing nothing” and I use it as a first assessment.  This is an “approach and retreat” method. When the horse looks at me I move or turn away. When he looks away I move toward him or just stand still looking at him. Our bodies and presence are pressure enough for these horses. Humans have a lot of energy resonating from the front and mid sections of our bodies. I refer to this core part of our bodies as the “fog horn” since that’s what it feels like to a horse. Turning the fog horn away takes pressure off the horse. Relaxing or bending one leg shows the horse that we are relaxed and not a threat. 
 

I like working in large, open areas so the horse doesn't feel claustrophobic. Mustangs are extremely smart and sensitive. They respond to the slightest amount of pressure and when I say “an ounce,” I mean touching the air.  If you pay attention to the average horse he will ask a lot of questions by giving you two eyes and two ears. Licking and chewing demonstrate that the horse is thinking and a thinking horse is a learning horse. 
 

Meet Rusty

Rusty was a recently gelded three-year-old in the care of Monica, a young volunteer in her twenties with novice horse experience and lots of natural ability.  Rusty had a very willing and  sensitive nature. Understanding the innate characteristics of horses, I expected Rusty to exhibit curious, extraverted behavior. That’s a nice way of saying that they are mouthy, pushy, in-your-space and playful with a lack of manners.

Once Monica became the leader her young horse was seeking, they advanced training by leaps and bounds. Understanding the leadership role in a horse-human relationship is critical.    Horses are herd animals with a leader. Horses want a leader for security and they constantly test their leader to ensure their safety.  If I decide to test my leader and he fails, I become the leader. A horse may not necessarily be dominate or want to be the leader but they will not allow weakness and therefore take over the job. Another horse may feel he or she is the one for the job so the testing process is endless. The same applies to the horse-human relationship. If your horse is able to move your feet or push in your space then you are not the leader. What do you think happens when your horse is suddenly unconfident and looking for a leader?  He’s either in your lap or leaving to seek comfort elsewhere. Natural horsemanship training makes use of natural equine behavior. When you ask your horse for movement and direct that movement, the horse realizes that you are in charge, accepting your leadership. Since the horse is bigger, the human must be confident or you have a problem. 

Monica has natural ability and a sensitivity with horses that shows in her bright, positive attitude. Rusty is a success story because Monica sought the help she needed to learn how to teach a young horse. Yeah for Monica.

Zia

Susan and I traveled, as ambassadors, for wild horses to a Parelli event at the Ace of Hearts Ranch in Port St. John owned by Sandra Vann, Certified Professional Parelli Instructor. The day was filled with various demonstrations and Diane gave an exhibition with Zia, a four-year-old BLM mustang filly. This was Zia’s first outing. Though I had been around Zia, I had not had the opportunity to work with her before the event. While I would recommend setting yourself up for success and working with a horse prior to an outing, it was going to be interesting to see how she behaved in a new setting with a stranger. You never want to approach a new situation with a horse unless there is time to follow through. This would not be the time to find out that a horse doesn’t load in a trailer. We knew Zia would get in the trailer and she traveled well. 

Horses learn and remember the last thing that happens in an exercise or training sequence so you want to have your horse get the right answer and quit on a positive note. If you allow a horse to do something that you have not asked for, or allow avoidance, you have taught the horse just that. This event for Zia was simply about experiencing a new situation with positive reinforcement. Zia was amazing. While other Parelli students played with their horses, Zia calmly took it all in. She was content to hang out quietly with me during demonstrations and walked nicely around the property. Sandy had an obstacle course set up with bridges, water and various moving pinwheels with objects to move through. Zia wasn’t bothered by any of the obstacles, including walking across a mattress. What a joy to send this young filly across a strange seesaw bridge with pinwheels spinning. Rarely do you experience such calm, level-headed behavior from a horse in a strange place. Zia has a wonderful temperament.

Overcoming the Fear Factor

While the mustangs I’ve mentioned so far have been positive success stories, overcoming what I call “the fear factor” is another layer. To a prey animal, fear is a primal emotion. Horses, whether domestic or wild, ask one question, Will this kill me? Horses can feel fear and curiosity at the same time, becoming “curiously afraid.” This is typical approach and retreat behavior in horseville since the horse will approach something unfamiliar, wanting to sniff it, yet hold back out of fear. Mustangs born in facilities often seem to be less fearful of people than wild-born captures, especially if they have the benefit of imprinting with humans. Often, in holding facilities, they will eat out of your hand through the fence causing humans to think they will be easy to gentle. These horses are not necessarily any less wild and they lack the social skills of horses raised in a herd.

Human hands were deadly to Sassy, a young mustang filly, and caused immediate fear anywhere near her.  As an observer of equine behavior, I was captivated by her “curious fear.” Sassy tried to interact with us to the point of desiring a carrot from your hand, however the fear was so intense that she would violently strike out. Striking is dangerous behavior that can return with new fear situations. Sassy is an introvert so while she may appear calm and thinking, the fear building inside erupts into striking. This is not unusual behavior for a young, fearful horse and I believe Sassy will out grow it with proper training and confidence. Her future owner must be aware of her body language and the possibility of the behavior returning. Sassy, like all horses, has a system of phases that warn of pending action. Sassy wanted the carrot from my hand but the fear was overwhelming. Phase one was an introverted pause and then she drew the nose back just a little, her very subtle retreat. Phase two was the slight turn or twist of the head and then Phase three is the strike, usually several times. In horseville these are very powerful, subtle, non verbal statements that the human cannot afford to miss.

Innate curiosity allows the opportunity to break through the fear and help a horse like Sassy. I allowed Sassy to approach me and with very little, relaxed pressure, drove her away with just the movement of my hands. Keeping her out of my space made me more interesting to her.  I did not allow phase one to take place and instead recreated the picture for her. I brought in a cone, and placing it next to me, put a piece of carrot on top of it. This silly exercise made her think, which is very important. I moved the cone from place to place to keep the game interesting and eventually had my hand by the carrot. I introduced the Clicker when the cone became my hand and she took the carrot from my human hand. This was such a significant breakthrough because Sassy was thinking her way through the fear of my hand. A horse cannot learn in a fear state so you must engage the left brain and get them thinking. Sassy quit striking because she let go of the fear.

Sassy’s ability to strike at any moment was at the forefront of my mind while working with her. The human must be savvy enough to be thinking about safety when working with her. Another layer of the “Fear Factor” is human fear of horses or horse behavior. Training a horse requires that the human have the knowledge and tools necessary so that fear is not a factor. Horses can sense fear and if we are afraid then there is no leadership. Sassy needed proper leadership that would inspire confidence. She is progressing nicely.

There are too many senseless cases that were avoidable with proper handling and training.  Dixie was a six-year-old, extreme fear case out of Nevada. Dixie came with serious rope wounds around her neck where someone almost strangled her.  This person applied an ineffective and harmful technique, used by ill-advised humans, referred to as “rope and choke.” The horse is roped and choked until they can’t breathe. Imagine fearing for your life with a human causing this hell. Dixie is a lovely Palomino mare that given proper handling would be ready to bond with a human but instead we were working to reverse the fear evoked by humans. “Show me your horse, and I will tell you who you are.”

Dixie arrived with Coyote, a beautiful two-year old mustang filly. Coyote was a joy to work with. Her innate flight mechanism would cause her to flee with any movement, which was a problem. This is an interesting challenge since you must desensitize movement before any training can take place or you will be run over or dragged around.  Coyote could be brushed and haltered but she could not lead. She appeared to enjoy the attention even though she was guarded. Most horses react to movement from their rear but Coyote would take off running and snorting.  I decided, as a desensitizing exercise, to have her play the circle game with the humans. I had Coyote stand with me while Susan and Linda mindlessly walked in a large circle around her. They were not to speak or look at her, just keep moving. Coyote reacted each time they disappeared from one eye and appeared in the next behind her. Since this is a natural blind spot in the horse, I had Susan and Linda walk and trot in a circle until there was no reaction from Coyote. Training can be great exercise for humans too. All of this silliness made Coyote think, which helped her move past the fear. We had fun with great results.

Horses are social animals with a clear, effective system of communication. Our task is to become the leaders they seek through nonverbal interaction.  Wild horses read us clearly. Success with mustangs requires sensitivity and effective communication through creative methods. I have experienced the beauty of natural horsemanship working with mustangs who were not scared to death by humans.  My methods are not found in a program or a book because I allow the horse to have an opinion, think for himself and adapt my teaching to the horse and the moment. As a human, I value trust in my relationships and convey that trust working with horses. Wild horses properly handled from the time they encounter a human make wonderful equine partners. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world so educating the public about the mustang will serve to create more knowledgeable people. These American icons are incredibly forgiving of our mistakes. Since horses live in the moment, with no hard feelings, we are able to assist them in becoming partners in a horse-human relationship.It has been an honor to work with the dedicated people and the majestic wild horses at the Center.

Velma Johnson, “Wild Horse Annie," concerned about the possibility of wild horse extinction and cruelty, led a campaign of public awareness and persuaded Congress to pass the Wild Free-Roaming Horse & Burro Act. Under the provisions of this law, wild horses and burros may not be captured for slaughter. Instead, the Bureau of Land Management is charged with protecting and managing the wild herds. The book, Wild Horse Annie, the Last of the Mustangs, captures the essence of her extraordinary life and what she was able to accomplish for the American Mustang. Those of us who love and admire mustangs owe this courageous woman gratitude for exposing the plight and possible extinction of this breed.

“She was the difference in helping make the world a better place for these animals that are part of our western heritage.”    Monty Roberts, New York Times best-selling author of The Man Who Listens to Horses.

"One who believes that he has mastered the art of horsemanship has not yet begun to understand the horse."