McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Adoption

Tom and I attended the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Adoption held in Powell, WY last weekend. I wondered how I’d feel about it since I had known some of these horses. Would they go to good homes? Would they be happy? Would the new owners understand just what it meant to care for and earn the trust of one of these remarkable animals taken from its wild home and family? There were many locals there who knew and cared about their wild horses – I was hopeful.

We browsed the pens full of youngsters and a few older horses. It seemed strange to be petting them, but I truly enjoyed the brief interactions.

Me with the little filly that a FOAL member adopted. She was just so sweet.

Crispy Cream and White Lightning

A Stewart Creek youngster - a little Shetland influence there.

As we walked around, we visited with some of the people I have met through my involvement with the wild horses who were also in attendance. My friend Tricia (Range/Wild Horse Specialist), the folks from FOAL (Friends of a Legacy – The McCullough Peaks Mustangs) Ada, Marshall, Bettye, Michaele and Susanne. Matt Dillon and his wife Kim from The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center, Jen (and her husband Tom) from USGS who documents the McCullough Peaks herd and Steve, Nick and Bryan Mantle who gentle and train the Mustangs for adoption.

Ada and the FOAL booth. I purchased a new t-shirt and ball cap that Tom quickly claimed.

It was so inspiring to see the devotion these folks have for the horses. Susanne adopted a filly, Jen adopted a little colt (from her favorite Peaks stallion) and Michaele took home three more youngsters (including a Fifteen Mile filly) adding to the four Peaks mares she had previously adopted in February. The final tally? Twenty one of the twenty five horses available found homes that day. That’s a terrific showing. Sadly, Crispy Cream and White Lightning were not among the fortunate ones that were beginning new lives. They went back to the Mantle Ranch for training with the hope that they’ll be more adoptable with a little more time.

I believe this is a little filly Michaele took home:

Nick Mantle shows off a flashy 3 year-old Peaks gelding:

A video of the available McCullough Peaks foals from the Mantle Ranch: http://s388.photobucket.com/albums/oo329/smantle/?action=view&current=McCollughPeaksBabies.flv

Steve Mantle told me that people can adopt from the ranch anytime. You need to have an approved adoption application, but he can do the rest of the paper work there. They are currently picking out the colts that will be in their JUNE 26TH ADOPTION to be held at the Mantle Ranch, so those won’t be available, but all the others will be. There are about 10 or so of the Peaks 2 and 3 year-olds left. The ranch is located just outside of Wheatland, WY. Their website is: http://www.mantleswildhorses.com/

Little Art, the colt from my “Photo Of The Week – 4/8/10″ post is also among the horses available for adoption.

Future adopter - she was so cute with her obvious love for the Mustangs.

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Photo Of The Week – 11/25/09

He looks like his sire

Itty bitty stud colt Issaquah from Seattle’s band – Pryor Mountains, MT. Taken July, 2008.

“Major” – McCullough Peaks, WY

Major is a gorgeous, grey band stallion from the McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area (HMA) just outside of Cody, WY. Born in 2000, Major maintains a large band that he keeps on the Eastern portion of the range area. Major is one of the very first wild horses I saw at McCullough Peaks as his band and several other horses were very near the highway when we arrived. They were pretty much oblivious to our presence as they were busy chasing or sparring with one another, trying to steal mares and change or maintain the pecking order. Being new to the wild horses back when some of these photos were taken, I wasn’t sure what to expect and regretfully, I didn’t know what an opportunity I’d been handed. I didn’t stay as long as I wish I had to continue taking pictures. Instead, Tom and I drove on to find more horses. As many times as I’ve been back to see Major, I’ve never had a similar encounter present itself. One of those live and learn lessons…

Major

Major and another stallion, Hooter

Major and Hooter sparring

Major and Hooter

Major with one of his mares, Tiaga and her foal Running Bear

Major

Band stallion, Major