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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