Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!
The wild mustang herds are running wild in the Western states such as Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and California.
The BLM(Bureau of Land Management) is understaffed, underfunded and overwhelmed because of the overpopulation of these horses.
Running free in Utah:
They put a stop to selling them to just anyone because some of those were companies who were taking them to the slaughterhouses. But not selling them of course, increases the population even more.
The BLM has a big problem
They estimate there are as many as 88,000 now and many face starvation in the vast desert-like regions.
Another wild herd:
To reduce the population the BLM is neutering, sterilizing, and culling the herds. By culling I reckon they're talking about euthanizing some of them.
They also capture thousands of them and house them in corrals and warehouses which costs a bloody fortune. Last year it cost 21 million dollars to feed and house them. $51,000 for each of the horses over their lifetime.
A small but effective effort
One of the programs created to get the mustangs into private hands is called The Extreme Mustang Makeover.
The way it works is the mustangs are taken from the BLM and given to trainers who have 120 days to turn the totally wild animals into partners who they compete with in the Fort Worth, Texas Stock Show and Rodeo.
Which of course, is one of the best rodeos in the world.
It's the ultimate challenge for the trainers who are the best Texas has to offer which also makes them the best in the world. lol.
They literally live with them for that 4 month period. Except when they go to bed but I'm not even sure about that!
They totally dedicate themselves to the horses in their care with the best medical services, the best nutrition, and of course the best training and truckloads of love.
The wild mustangs are a breed apart
Even though they come to them completely wild, mustangs are very social animals and the bond they create with their trainers is extremely strong. Interestingly, MUCH stronger than with domestic breeds.
To say they grow close is an understatement.
Once the trainer gains the trust of the horse, which is a slow process, the training begins. Wow, look at this beauty!
After 4 months of long days and intense training the trainers perform a large variety of tricks and programs with their new friends:
The first place prize is $50,000 for the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition but these trainers aren't really doing it for the money I can tell you that.
After the rodeo the mustangs are auctioned off to new owners who will give them a loving home.
Many a tear is shed when the trainers say goodbye to their dedicated partners but then they get ready to train new recruits coming in from the BLM.
The program is a smashing success but of course only a small percentage of horses get to be in it so it needs to be expanded if possible.
The problem is, not that many people ride horses these days. We've turned into a bunch of dang city-slickers. lol.
Thanks for stopping by folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas
