Wild 1's Ranch

01/20/2020

10/23/2019

Relaxing on the front porch on this beautiful day and up comes the beautiful Elijah to keep me company. Eiljah was randomly assigned to me for the Extreme Mustang Makeover 2008- the second one. This horse has some amazing stories to tell-probably more than any other horse here. He survived a scary Hurricane Ike just 3 days before the big event in Fort Worth-we almost wrecked on the way there-he was so stressed out that he refused to go into the competition arena-so we backed in-his favorite thing to do!! We almost lost him in a sink hole...… He has many stories!! He has a few "notches" in his belt including 1 broken bone (not mine)-he tends to "pop up" now and then. If I were to write a book about all my stangs-his chapter might be the longest !!! 15 years old now-enjoying the good life. AKA " Red Man"

08/06/2019

06/23/2019

Yesterday was a great day as Zeke- the b***o adopted at Livingston BLM adoption event- finally made it out to pasture. It was no fault of his own that it took so long-alittle over 2 months in holding paddock. He was ready some time ago-easily caught and haltered and agreeable. The neverending rain and a lot of stuff just kept getting the way. It was a calm,peaceful day yesterday-a perfect day. He was sent out with his best bud BobHenry (adopted 2006) into the pasture with the small band of 5 mustangs. I checked on him frequently-and every time saw Bob and the mustang Beretta right with him. Beretta keeps watch over "his" herd, and right away took Zeke under his wing. Zeke is on his way to permanent turnout-will take awhile. I have to be sure he is OK with the grass-something he is definitely not used to. Was proud of Bob for showing him around and staying with him- Bob can be a "pill" sometimes. Great job fellas!!!

04/21/2019

A few of our beautiful wild ones in a high state of alertness. A few days ago there was a trail ride in the bordering pasture-a pasture that normally has only cows. Our horses are surrounded on 2 sides by woods, the other 2 sides with cow pastures. No roads,no cars, no people. Having a bunch of horses, riders having a lot of fun, music and ATVs was too much for them. I sat out in the pasture with them in my UTV until it passed to help them stay calm. Silly things.

04/16/2019

Today Zeke has been here 4 days. It was time for him to get out of the "holding" stall and into some sun. I chuted him out into the round pen and he had a ball. Rolled around, lay around, he loved it. We then had lesson 3. He is now following me wherever I go-unless he gets distracted-but is easily brought back to attention. He is also touching me- but I am not allowed to touch him-yet. Maybe tomorrow. Haven't had the privilege of gentling a wild one for 4 years and am relishing every moment.

04/14/2019

After arriving home Friday afternoon from the adoption- I followed my standard procedure of letting a new wild one rest for 24 hours. Zeke took in his surroundings fairly calmly and endured Saturday and the night-terribly scary storm. This morning was time for our first "chat". I began his gentling process very slowly-he is a totally wild and unhandled b***o-and 10 years old-set in his survival ways. We achieved the desired "face up" within a few minutes and I was thrilled and surprised. It didn't take him but a few minutes to realize that I wanted to see his face rather than his butt. He was rewarded with my verbal praise and a release of the pressure from my eyes and posture. He responded much better than I had anticipated. After about 5 minutes of this practice-he actually took a step toward me!! Pretty amazing. I gave him hay and left him alone-probably quickest first lesson in all the years I have worked with the wild ones. Will continue on tomorrow and hope to have that first touch within a few days-a touch that he initiates-I will not push. I will have to push if needed after a week or so cause his halter was put on to tightly in the loading chute- I want it off!!! Way to go Zeke!!!! You are going to be safe and happy here!!

04/13/2019

Yesterday was a great day as dear friend Sefra and I went to Livingston to visit the Wild Horse and B***o Adoption. Been several years since I had been to one and was thrilled to be around the "wild ones" again and see some of my BLM folks. We came home with Zeke-Sefra named him quickly. He is a 10 yr old from Arizona. This poor fellow was so scared he threw himself down on the ground during loading. Was very sad. However, when we got home, he went straight in his area, drank lots of water and got to the hay. We will let him rest for a day or 2 before anything else. He is a much needed addition for our other 2 BLM b***os-one of which may pass on within a year. So a buddy will already be in place. Welcome to your forever home Zeke!!!!!

02/26/2019

Get your free ticket to the online movie premiere of "Listening to the Horse" by Award-Winning Director.