The American Mustang has influenced many young people to develop an interest in horses. The sight of beautiful horses living wild and free has often been the inspiration behind a horse lover’s fascination with these beautiful and powerful animals.
The Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF) works to facilitate the adoption of wild horses by knowledgeable owners who are able to provide them with a proper home and training. The Extreme Mustang Makeover program is designed to demonstrate to the public just how intelligent and trainable these wild horses can be.
Extreme Mustang Makeover’s Scott Smith on top of a Stagecoach at the 2015 Reno Rodeo
The heritage of the American west would not be complete without herds of wild mustangs running free, but their numbers must now be reduced due to limited grazing areas. It is through the efforts of the Mustang Heritage Foundation MHF that these captured animals have the potential to find homes trained and valuable riding horses. The organization works with the Bureau of Land Management to secure adoptions for the excess animals that are rounded up each year. The Mustang Heritage Foundation MHF operates several programs to ensure these animals are adopted by knowledgeable horsemen who have the ability to house and train them.
Extreme Mustang Makeover’s Scott Smith going down the Stagecoach at the 2015 Reno Rodeo
The Extreme Mustang Makeover is one program that has seen considerable success over the past several years. A selection of experienced horse trainers are given 100 days in which to transform a wild mustang into a trusted mount that is then sold to the highest bidder at auction. During this limited time period the trainer must gentle the horse enough to halter, saddle and finally accept a rider. This is not an easy process for even the most experienced handler, and breaking any mustang almost always requires a huge amount of patience and knowledge.
Extreme Mustang Makover trainer, Scott Smith, exhibits his mustang to the Reno Rodeo.
The final phase of the Extreme Mustang Makeover is a competition where the trainers exhibit their mustang to the public. Amazing feats of horsemanship are displayed at this competition with the trained mustangs exhibiting a trust and intelligence beyond the scope of most average horses. When the demonstration is over, individuals are invited to bid on the trained mustangs. It is through programs like the Extreme Mustang Makeover that wild horses are able to find a new niche in the heritage of America.
Although it has been necessary to reduce the population of mustangs in the wild, proper management by the BLM will ensure they continue to be an important part of America’s western heritage.
Champions, Matt Zimmerman, 4-year-old gelding, Iceman, Delena Doyle and Tommy Houston.
Source: extrememustangmakeover.com/
Check out the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s YouTube Video above, capturing when the Extreme Mustang Makeover visited Queen Creek, Arizona. Including, 6 Youth Trainers and 18 Adult Trainers compete in the preliminary classes!
Recently, Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Ak-Chin Indian Community and Earnhardt Auto Centers Road Team attended the 2015 Reno Rodeo and captured some amazing moments.
Thank you Mustang Heritage Foundation and Extreme Mustang Makeover for all you do for wild mustangs! CLN Signing Out, Click On’ and Hang On’!
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