The Horses

We took 9 mustangs on our trip: 3 to ride, 3 to pack, and 3 as extra. We specifically chose all of our horses to be geldings because we rode through Herd Management Areas (land where wild horses roam) and it is common for mares to be picked up by bands. As much as we would have loved the experience of adopting and training our mustangs, COVID forced all of the auctions we were hoping to attend to be online and our timing did not allow for us to train our own horses. Instead, we decided to lease our mustangs from various sources, displaying their versatility. Additionally, we recognize that returning these horses home to their owners was better for them than having to re-home adopted horses. All of our horses began their lives in the wild.

BB Gun

BB Gun came from inmate training program where wild mustangs are gentled and trained by inmates and adopted out. We will be leasing him from Camp Cheley, a 100-year old sleepaway summer camp located in Estes Park, Colorado. He is a 2011 gelding from White Mountain, Wyoming. We are excited that BB Gun was able to display the versatility of the mustang, from working with children to riding a 26-day backcountry pack trip!

BB was a spunky guy to ride and the most fun to watch at the back of the string, as he trotted along to keep up with his friends.

Spitfire

Spitfire came from inmate training program and is a 2011 gelding from Divide Basin, Wyoming. We will be leasing him from Camp Cheley, a 100-year old sleep-away summer camp located in Estes Park, Colorado.

Spit had many nicknames on the trip and surprised us by being a great pack horse!

Chow

Chow came from inmate training program and is a 2013 gelding came from Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area which is southeast of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The wild horses in this HMA are believed to be a mix of Spanish Mustangs, Indian ponies, local ranch horses and cavalry mounts. We will be leasing Chow from Camp Cheley, a 100-year old sleep-away summer camp located in Estes Park, Colorado.

Chow fit his name well; he loved to always be in your pocket checking for treats.

Nevius

(Goes by Nev)

Nev is a 2013 gelding from Nevada and won a TIP challenge and a second mustang competition. The Trainer Incentive Program (TIP), sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, is a training and adoption program that allows horse trainers nationwide to gentle wild horses and find them a new home. TIP trainers are reimbursed for their training and marketing. We leased Nev from Camp Cheley, a 100-year old sleepaway summer camp located in Estes Park, Colorado.

Nev was named by one of our crowdfunding campaign donors and was one of our happiest horses - he loved to smile!

Dodger

Dodger was leased from Yellowstone Horse Rentals and was named by two of our crowdfunding campaign donors after their favorite baseball team.

Dodger was a champ as he was equally as good at packing as he was at riding!

Thunder

Thunder was leased from Yellowstone Horse Rentals and was named by two of our crowdfunding campaign donors. He was one of our biggest mustangs.

Thunder didn’t like to pack but he was an easygoing guy which made him great for leading a string from his back!

TJ

TJ was leased from Yellowstone Horse Rentals and was named by one of our crowdfunding campaign donors. He was named after the infamous Thelma Johnston, a wild horse advocate who helped pass the 1971 Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

TJ was a lot of fun to ride and had a funny habit of reaching around to itch his side with his teeth while we were riding him!

Bucket

Bucket was leased from Yellowstone Horse Rentals and was one of our older mustangs. He was a tough little paint, though!

Bucket was a pro pack horse and our steadiest guy!

Kayak

Kayak was leased from Yellowstone Horse Rentals and was named by one of our crowdfunding campaign donors.

Kayak was “all business” and a great horse to pack and ride!