Challenge Painting #163 : First Look Kiger-Riddle Mountain Round-ups 2011

"First Look"
4 by 6 inch Watercolor on embossed paper
by LindaLMartinArtist
$45.00

According to JoAnna Lamb, the day they bring the horses in to the holding facility is a rest day for the horses. They are not forced in anyway. They are provided with food ( usually grass hay) and water. And are allowed to adjust to their circumstances in a larger pen.  Horses are not separated according to age for branding, and vetting until day two after they have had a chance to recover from capture and shipping to the facility. These particular horses are headed for the big adoption event called Kiger Fest where people from all over the country come just to purchase Kiger type wild mustang Horses. According to two  insiders there are  two Herds that have 100% adoption each year Kiger-Riddle Mountain horses with their distinct Spanish barb look and their primitive colors and the Pryor Mountain HMA horses.

Interestingly enough there have been documentaries, books, and lots of prime time news coverage on these two herds over the years. In addition armies of volunteers work getting the word out and help with the processing and special needs horses.

JoAnna Says that  not only is there 100% adoption but the only Kiger horses remotely destined for Long Term Holding are those that are taken off the range that are 25 years or older. Yet, even these aging Kiger horses are highly desired for adoption even though they are past their prime.

The Business model for the Kigers is one of success as far as the horses are concerned and could easily be adapted by any private support group local to any HMA. The result of the volunteers that help support the Kigers is : the demand is not flooded, the numbers remain healthy and sustainable on the range and they are high profile nationally known horses that are not merely nameless invisible horses lost in the shuffle, And every time the news media runs a documentary on them or tells their story they are recognized even by non horse people as special.
This sort of support helps keep the horses in the public eye while protecting it as well. What really makes the difference is the army of volunteers who work with the agencies administrating the Wild Mustangs to find piratical solutions that are in the end helpful in preserving both the history and the well being of the Wild Horses.