Ligero
Ligero
Ligero means "light" in Spanish.
He was selected for the 2022 Virtual Extreme Mustang Makeover. A uniquely handsome big gray gelding, 15hh from Choke Cherry, UT HMA. He was Sale Authority so could not be returned to the BLM and no longer had government protection. When we brought him home he seemed like he would be fairly easy to domesticate. But he was really good at hiding his true feelings.
He was supposed to be 7yrs old but after doing his teeth, we found out he was actually 11yrs old! He progressed painfully slowly and every step was one step forward and half a step back. We trained him for about a year and a half. He did eventually get a first ride and some subsequent rides but it was obvious he didn't want to be ridden. He didn't really want to have anything to do with humans at all.
We had an animal communicator speak to him and she said he has an Eeyore mentality. He had a lot of trauma in the wild when he was young that he hangs on to. He is pretty grumpy and unhappy in general. He balked at the thought of a human on his back. We made some headway with him bringing his personality out and getting him to enjoy some things. After a long conversation with his owner we decided to just turn him out in pasture and give him a break from training. We saw after some time he was so incredibly happy turned out in his little herd. Collectively we decided to make him a member of the sanctuary.
Ligero, and mustangs like him, are the reason we created this space. He will have a forever home here galloping our pastures with his mustang friends.
Fern
Fern
Fern is a coming 5yo BLM mustang mare from White River NV HMA.
She was adopted in 2021 by a youth trainer and successfully competed in a mustang competition. Fern then was re-homed after the competition. When she was old enough she was sent to a well respected mustang trainer to get started under saddle. She loved people, was laid back and was successfully started under saddle.
Unfortunately, her new home lacked skills, knowledge and time to work with a young horse. Fern grew very unhappy, exhibiting dangerous behaviors like kicking and biting. She also showed neurotic behaviors, aggression towards other horses and was generally miserable.
DLWR accepted Fern into the rehabilitation and retraining program. She was started with aggressive gut rehabilitation and had her mouth rebalanced. Then she was turned out into the herd to get "herd therapy" and learn to be a horse again. After some time the herd accepted Fern and she started to show her old friendly and content demeanor. Fern also put on a lot of weight and began moving better.
She entered retraining and quickly picked up where she left off from her initial colt start training. With a little more time and training the goal is to adopt Fern to the perfect family to enjoy.
Rayo aka Leroy
Rayo
Rayo is a coming 8yo mustang from the High Rock HMA in CA.
He was originally adopted and trained by IEH and found his perfect home after being started under saddle. He was renamed Leroy and thrived with his person. They competed in a variety of disciplines and he became kid safe while growing to almost 16hh! They spent several wonderful years together.
Unfortunately, Rayo got really sick and was diagnosed with EPM. He was treated but the disease took a heavy toll on his body. He became pasture sound but the possibility of ever being a riding horse again was very uncertain. His owner made the painful decision to send him to the sanctuary to give him the best chance at a long life and rehabilitation if possible.
We are still uncertain how much we can help Rayo but in the meantime he is thriving in his little herd of geldings, has put on a ton of weight and building muscle on the varied terrain of his pasture.
Tejon
Tejon
Tejon is a coming 6yo BLM mustang gelding from Twin Peaks CA HMA.
Tejon was a sale authority mustang trained by IEH through their Heart Mustang Program. He was a wonderful trail horse with a bright future. Unfortunately, he sustained a terrible injury in pasture that limited his use as a riding horse. His owner decided to relinquish him to the sanctuary for rehabilitation, comfort care and management.
Tejon is currently being fostered by a veterinarian getting the most state of the art therapy while having a life of leisure as a pleasure horse. If he ever shows he is not comfortable with being ridden at all, he will be retired to the sanctuary pasture.
Norteño aka Norte
Norte
Norte was a surprise. His mother was selected for and Extreme Mustang Makeover and it was discovered she was in foal. She came from the US Forestry herd area of Jacarilla Territory.
Norte was born on April 22, 2025, a big healthy black colt. When he was big enough he and his mom were turned out into the sanctuary pasture. Norte loves his little herd of aunties and uncles and soon began to self wean when he was almost 7mths old. He is brave, bold, curious and growing like crazy.
Norte was weaned and now lives with the sanctuary herd. He will be gelded and allowed to grow up running free in the herd. He will spend some time in training each year to make sure he learns how to be a good citizen before going into under saddle training when he is 4yrs old. Once he is going well under saddle he will look for his perfect person to be adopted out.