Monday, April 30, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 306 Amy Flood's Comanche, Salt Wells HMA

Amy Flood's Comanche
5 by7 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist
$65.00
In Amy's own words: "Comanche is a 7 y/o 14.2h BLM mustang gelding from Salt Wells in Wyoming  He was gathered within his first year of life so is very people friendly and amicable. He is my main mount...the most level-headed and sensible horse I've ever owned. He LOVES playing in water as well!"

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 305 Filly #9362

#9362 Ready for adoption
5by5 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00
Filly  #9362 is part of the Eastern States Internet Adoption that started April 11th and will end on April 25th. 
 All bidders must be approved before they are able to bid on the available horses and burros. You can fined information about this filly and 7 other yearlings and how to qualify to adopt through the BLM sight:
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5209

 ***
Here is the information as provided by the BLM.:

#9362 Ready for Adoption
Photo courtesy of the BLM

Sex: Filly 
Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands):
Necktag #: 9362 
Date Captured: 10/10/11
Color: Pinto  
Captured: Green Mountain (WY)
 

Notes:
#9362 - 1 yr old pinto filly, captured Oct 2011 from Green Mountain HMA, Wyoming.

TRAINING UPDATE: This paint filly is super easy going and very inquisitive. She never even broke a sweat on her first day and found out that being scratched and hand fed is a pretty good thing. She will willingly come into the barn for feed, and enjoys attention. She started leading on her first day and progresses rapidly in her training. She has nice long legs and is going to be a bigger horse. Her conformation is good with a lever top line, deep girth, and round hind quarters. I believe this horse could jump a 4ft fence if she wanted too. Super little filly!
 

#9362 Ready for Adoption
Photo courtesy of the BLM
This horse is in training at the Mantle Ranch. For more information, email Steve Mantle at: mantle9@wyomingwireless.com or call 307-322-5799 evenings.

Video of some of the Internet horses can be viewed at: www.mantleswildhorses.com.

Pick up options (by appt): Mantle Ranch, WY; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.

Other pick up options: Rutland, VT (6/15); Unadilla, GA (6/23).
   
   
The opening bid is $125.00          You must be approved to bid.


***


#9362 Ready for Adoption
Photo courtesy of the BLM
This is your opportunity to own an amazing piece of living US History.  Personally I think She is a very cute girl . She has a lot of potential for the person wanting to take on a gentling and training project for the summer.

If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html



Friday, April 20, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 304Filly #9543

Filly#9543 Ready for Adoption
5 by 5 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$65.00
Filly  #9543 is part of the Eastern States Internet adoption That started April 11th and will end on April 25th. 
 All bidders must be approved before they are able to bid on the available horses and burros. You can get information about this filly and 7other yearlings and how to qualify to adopt through the BLM sight:
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5208

 ***
Here is the information as provided by the BLM.:

Filly #9543
Photo Provided by The BLM

Sex: Filly Age: 1 Years  
 Height (in hands):
Necktag #: 9543 

 Date Captured: 10/20/11
Color: Brown   

Captured: Green Mountain (WY)

Notes:
#9543 - 1 yr old brown filly, captured Oct 2011 from Green Mountain HMA, Wyoming.

TRAINING UPDATE: This horse is a cute brown filly. She has one of the more refined heads that I have seen on a mustang. She is really looking for security and someone to be a friend. She is shorter boned than the other horses, and has good conformation. I believe she will be very athletic, and is taking to the halter well. She is eating grain and these pictures are of her very first hour in training. Once she realizes no one is going to hurt her she drops her guard and relies on the trainer for comfort. I believe this will make someone a great companion.

This horse is in training at the Mantle Ranch. For more information, email Steve Mantle at: mantle9@wyomingwireless.com or call 307-322-5799 evenings.

Video of some of the Internet horses can be viewed at: www.mantleswildhorses.com.

Pick up options (by appt): Mantle Ranch, WY; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Rutland, VT (6/15); Unadilla, GA (6/23).
 The opening bid is $125.00        

  You must be approved to bid
***
This is your opportunity to own an amazing piece of living US History.  Personally I think he is a very cute boy and doesn't even begin to look his age.He has a lot of potential for the person wanting to take on a gentling and training project for the summer.

If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 303 Burro #2531

Burro #2531
5 by 5 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
SOLD
Burro #2531 is part of the Eastern States Internet adoption That started April 11th and will end on April 25th. 
 All bidders must be approved before they are able to bid on the available horses and burros. You can get information about this burro and 9 others and how to qualify to adopt through the BLM sight:
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5123

 ***
Here is the information as provided by the BLM.:

Burro #2531 Ready to Adopt
Photo provided by the BLM

 Sex: Gelding
Age: 8 Years 
Height (in hands):
Neck tag #: 2531  
Date Captured: 09/26/09
Color: Gray   

Captured: Slate Range (CA)



Burro #2531 Ready to Adopt
Photo provided by the BLM


Notes:
#2531 - 8 yr old gray gelded jack, captured Sept 2009, in the Slate Range HMA, California.
This burro is currently located in Canon City. For more information, contact Lona Kossnar at 719-269-8539 or lona_kossnar@blm.gov.
 

Pick up options (by appt): Canon City, CO; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Rutland, VT (6/15); Unadilla, GA (6/23).
  
  
The opening bid is $125.00        
You must be approved to bid
***

This is your opportunity to own an amazing piece of living US History.  Personally I think he is a very cute boy and doesn't even begin to look his age.He has a lot of potential for the person wanting to take on a gentling and training project for the summer.

If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 302 Mustang #9670 "Ebby"

"Ebby"
#9670 Ready for Adoption
5 by 5 inches Graphite and  Pastel
by Linda L Martin Artist
$30.00
"Ebby" is part of the Eastern States Internet adoption That started April 11th and will end on April 25th. 
 All bidders must be approved before they are able to bid on the available horses and donkeys. You can get information about Sloan and how to qualify to adopt through the BLM sight:
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5149

 ***
Here is the information as provided by the BLM.:

Ebby at Canon City
Photo provided by the BLM

Sex: Mare Age: 4 Years   Height (in hands): 14.3
Necktag #: 9670   Date Captured: 12/13/09
Color: Gray   Captured: Paisley Desert (OR)



Notes:
#9670 - 4 yr old gray mare, captured Dec 2009, in the Paisley Desert HMA, Oregon.

“Ebby” is a very nice mare gathered from the Paisley Desert herd management area in Oregon on 12/13/09. She is very easy-going and was easy to halter train. This mare is well-muscled and presents a nice profile and stands 14.3 hands tall. She has been led around under saddle but has not been ridden. She took to saddling like it was no big deal and has never offered to buck. Ebby has exceptional conformation and has an athletic build. "Ebby" is halter trained. Starting bid is $400.00






Ebby at Canon City
Photo provided by the BLM
This horse is in training in Canon City, CO. For more information, contact Lona Kossnar at 719-269-8539 or lona_kossnar@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Canon City, CO and Elm Creek, NE.

The opening bid is $400.00          You must be approved

***
This is your opportunity to own an amazing piece of living US History.  Personally I think she is a very pretty mare with an intelligent eye and she is built to well and has a lot of potential as a great all around horse.nd would do well at any discipline. Perfect  training project for the warm weather.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 301 Mustang #5431 "Sloan"

"Sloan "
#5431 Ready for Adoption
5 by 5 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist
$65.00

Sloan is part of the Eastern States Internet adoption That started April 11th and will end on April 25th. 
 All bidders must be approved before they are able to bid on the available horses and donkeys. You can get information about Sloan and how to qualify to adopt through the BLM sight: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5131
***
Here is the information as provided by the BLM.:
Sloan walking over Poles On
the Canon City  Obstacle Course
Image provided by the BLM


Location: Canon City, CO - Saddle/Halter started
Sex: Gelding Age: 4 Years   Height (in hands): 14.3
Necktag #: 5431   Date Captured: 10/25/09
Color: Sorrel   Captured: Green Mountain (WY)

Notes:
#5431 - 4 yr old sorrel gelding, captured Oct 2009, in the Green Mountain HMA, Wyoming.


Sloan standing on the bridge On
the Canon City  Obstacle Course
Image provided by the BLM
Here is a really nice 4-year old gelding. He was gathered from the Green Mountain herd management area in Wyoming on 10/25/09. Sloan is easy to catch and is willing to go to work. He stands around 14.3 tall and is Wyoming through and through. The two hind socks complete this package to be easy on the eye. This will be a good one to put in your stall. Give Jon a call at 719-429-1278 for more details. "Sloan" is saddle started. Starting bid is $1000.

This horse is in training in Canon City, CO. For more information, contact Lona Kossnar at 719-269-8539 or lona_kossnar@blm.gov.
Pick up options (by appt): Canon City, CO and Elm Creek, NE.
   
   
The opening bid is $1000.00          You must be approved to bid


***
This is your opportunity to own an amazing piece of living US History.  Personally I think he is a very pretty boy and would do well at any discipline. Perfect time to own a mustang with Summer coming on very soon.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 300 Tresoro De Mi Carazone

"Tesoro De Mi Carozon"
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00


Amanda  Wilder's Tesoro De Mi Corazon. His name means "Treasure of my Heart", and he truly is! Amanda says she loves this boy.  She adopted him from the 2007 Kiger adoption.

There are currently horses available for adoption via the internet adoption on the BLM website. If you are interested you can go to the sight and follow the instructions for qualifications to bid.

 If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html


Thursday, April 12, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 299 Mo Palomino Butte HMA

"Mo"
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
byLindaLMartinArtist
$35.00


Mo's Story as told by Beck Seible:

Moe is a BLM Mustang from Palomino Butte HMA, 14.3 hand Bay Gelding his number is 94009796 he was captured in '95 and adopted out then titled in '96... he is easy to catch even out in a big pasture, he ties, stands for trims, stand for clippers, loads in trailer, leads nice and light, ponys nice and light, started under saddle worked at the corrals for a year under Wendy, he packs, he is just a very sweet horse that has a lot to offer to the right person... but he is never going to be a race horse or show horse... I know his person is out there it's just trying to find them so they know where their horse is... he is here at Spirit Horse Ranch come get him he is waiting on you...

'Moe was 16 and titled when his owners decided he was of no use to them. Gentled, but never ridden, off to auction he went. A kind soul spotted his brand and picked him up. She notified the BLM, and one of the wranglers took him under her wing, started him under saddle, and for awhile used him at the corrals.

Green broke, but kind, I picked him up at the Kiger Kraze and I have been currently trying to find Moe a forever home where he can hang out, be a buddy, and maybe tote someone for a short little mosey around the pasture now and then. He appears to have a slight stifle issue which limits the amount of work he can do.' He could also be use as a pack animal for short trips in the mountains...

Note: The mark on  Mo's nose was caused by being tied by a halter  during his training. Beck was finally able to place Mo in early April 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 298 Megan Jones' Nevada

"Nevada"
4 by 6 inches  Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00
Megan sent me some amazing photos documenting the training of her Mustang Nevada. I suppose I could have done a traditional head portrait of him. But I was thinking back to my younger years with my own black horse and sitting in the pasture while he grazed just being together.

Its more amazing when you think that this beauty of a black horse with his white blaze was wild and has had less than 18 months of training when he arrived at Megan's home.

Megan adopted Nevada at the CSU Mustang makeover in 2010. He had been aged at 4 years by the BLM but seemed younger to her. From Megan's Facebook Page: " I can't say enough Good things about Steve, the trainer that took him on for the EMM(Extreme Mustang Makeover). He is like no other horse I've ever worked with . He (Nevada) stepped up on this obstacle the very first time I asked him to . He's just incredible ."

When I was a child they were still force breaking wild horses. Gosh, they were force breaking almost every horse. And some of them were so scared that they were never safe to ride. Others were so severely injured that there was nothing left for them but to be put down. Some grew to hate people and would literally fight to the death rather than submit. It was a rough time for horses and for the people that tried to "break" them. Breaking is pretty much what they did, too. Bones and spirit of both the men and the horses is some sort of conquering war that enslaved the animals until they were useless, in some cases, and the men so crippled they were useless too.
  
 In the 1970s the University of Maryland began an experiment that would eventually revolutionize training for those who accepted it. It was, at that time, called trackless training or gentling behavior modification. Those of us who adapted the method to use in training were not generally accepted for using it.. But the horses learned quickly to trust and to follow. Those horses that the method were applied to were very safe mounts, in my experience. Trainers that used it also were ridiculed and harassed for using the methods.. as "it was for circus horses and trick ponies" the critics said. When I experimented with it I discovered that you could start the babies young. It was unheard of for a whole farm of young horses in training to never learn to buck. No horse I worked with at the time did after being handled gently and constantly using the method.


Now this new breed of young trainers is amazing. The first day off the trailer and less than an hour on the ground these new gentle trainers  reach out their hands to wild horses, not to dominate them but to gain their trust. Trainers that are leaders to the horses, in both movement and language that the wild ones understand from being on the range and running with a herd. This new breed of Mustang trainers capitalize on the wild horses' experience from the beginning life when they heard their dam's first wicker and nuzzled their side for nourishment, to follow a leader..


Nevada in full tack on the
obsitical Course. Photo
Courtesy Megan Jones
There are many philosophies for the new more effective training methods, even many variations. Most of these accomplished  Modern Mustang trainers make a relationship to the horse that does amazing things in a very short time. Sometimes its as short as 60 to 90 days to start a green horse. And the really successful trainers know that they do not limit themselves to one training method or philosophy, but use what ever the horse they are working with needs to accomplish willingly what needs to be done, because of that trust. It all comes down to this:That amazing first touch, where the completely wild horse realizes that he wants you to be that close and craves it when you scratch that special spot on him.

Looking through all the photos that Megan sent me and the ones she has in her album on Facebook its not hard to tell that the relationship is not only there but its solid and steady. When I was growing up, and later teaching and training with horses of my own I often told my clients this: "If a horse trusts you he will do anything you ask to the best of his ability." From what I have observed through Megan's steady documentation, Nevada and Megan have that kind of relationship. Its a beautiful thing.


Mustang Adoptions are coming up again on the Internet. If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html






Monday, April 9, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 297 Ronda's Whisper

"Whisper"
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist
$35.00

I have to say it seemed like forever for Whisper to arrive home to Rhonda's house. Sometimes  adoption wins take a while to deliver across the country. I can't imagine how nerve wreaking it must have seemed waiting for delivery day. But this little bay mare with the white blaze seemed everything that Rhonda expected. and more. Can I speculate it was love at first sight. Congratulations on your Mustang, Ronda, and thank-you for letting me enjoy your steps to receiving her and finally to paint her.

When someone adopts through the on-line adoptions from the BLM you only see photographs of the horse you are bidding on. Of course you have to be approved before you can bid and submit a drawing of the facility (pen) you expect to keep your horse in to see if it meets the requirements for handling a wild horse. When you win you choose the destination BLM facility that is nearest to you.Even getting to the nearest facility can take  several months  as there  might be many stops in between. That is the pick up point. From there you have to hire someone to pick up your horse and bring it to you or you can go an pick up the horse yourself. The challenge in the shipping is to find someone who has experience with wild horses that understands the needs and requirements of a horse that has never truly been handled.

Whisper 
photo used by permission
Ronda Chayer. 

Of course you don't really know until the horse gets to you exactly how wild or how much of a challenge it will be to get the horse to trust you.  Then the day comes and your wild beauty arrives at your place. Your heart is racing like the first time you got your own horse or your first riding lesson. And the relationship begins.

Over the last two years Ive watched via photos and video  hundreds of these relationships and bonds unfold. I have to say each one is unique and different. Each with their own surprises, their own challenges, joys, set backs and rewards. To take a horse from the wild and journey with it to its usefulness has to be one of the most beautiful and amazing things well since watching a child grow up right before your eyes into a beautiful accomplished young woman. Its a wonder and an amazement and every hard won step and accomplishment has to be worth it.

Adoptions are coming up again on the internet. If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation: http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM Online Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html


Friday, April 6, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 296 "On The Move" Texas Big Bend Burros

"On The Move"
8.5 by 11 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist
$260.00

Prints of this painting are on sale also.
Email info@llmartin.com for more information.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will go to support of burro protection and preservation.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 295 "First Light" Texas Big Bend Burros

"First Light"
5 by 5 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist
$65.00

A portion of the sale of this painting will go to the preservation and protection of Texas Wild Burros.

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 294 "In His Mom's Shadow" Texas Big Bend Burros

"In His Mom's Shadow"
6 by 9 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$130.00

Prints are available of this item for $25.00 each
contact the artist here: llmartisticservices@yahoo.com

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will go to the protection and preservation of the Texas Burros.

The painting "In His Mom's Shadow" was inspired by some of the research I have been doing in preparation for the painting of this mini series of  wild burros from Texas. Learning to adapt to the rough mostly treeless terrain of the South West Texas dessert  has been a form of self preservation for the burros. The main predators in the area are mountain lions. The wild cats, also called puma, often perch in trees or in high rocky areas and pounce down on  their prey. For a burro sized mostly under 13 hands to find the comfort of shade trees along the Rio Grande or its Tributaries would be certain death. So the burro foals have learned to stand and sleep on the shady side of their mothers during the hot times of the day. Another form of heat coping is to walk slowly and keep their heads down as the heat radiates up as the temperature rises.

Interestingly enough the State of Texas in their conservation efforts  and desire to bring back big horn Sheep to the  Big Bend Ranch State Park are targeting both the mountain lions and the burros for removal to give the sheep a chance to become established. The Burros are being targeted because it is claimed that they compete with the sheep for food and foul the infrequent watering sources. And the mountain lions because they will predate on the sheep. There are several other introduced species as well that the State of Texas park service wishes to remove from the park.

While the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department states on their website that there is no danger of Burros competing with the desert big horn sheep at this time and that some of the burros are probably of the American Heritage variety worthy of preserving, most of the burros are wanted off the land simply because they have adapted so easily to the terrain and are healthy and expanding in herd groups.The website maintains that if the burros are not managed, they may in the future present a problem to the sheep and endanger other wildlife.

Citizens groups of Texas would like to see the donkeys preserved and managed in the park so that they can be adopted out, not removed entirely.  The Citizens certainly do not  want the random killing off the donkeys currently living with in the park as was proposed in 2011. At this time the Governor's office is rethinking the management policy after receiving 100,000 signatures in protest of the killing of Burros in the park.  On April 7th, 2012 a number of wild burro advocates will be visiting the state house in Austin to bring their ideas and awareness about the  the wild burro situation in Big Bend Ranch State Park.

To find out more about what the latest updates are on the preservation of the Big Bend Ranch State Park Wild Burros you can follow  the Wild Burro Protection League under Todd Mission Rescue page on Facebook

Monday, April 2, 2012

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 293 Spring In Texas Big Bend Burros

"Spring in Texas"
8.5 by 11 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$300.00


To purchase pint please email:
info@llmartin.com
They say that in the desert of  West Texas that when it rains even for a short while that all the desert blooms. Wild Flowers, Cactus and grasses. Its a brief time there when all is green. Then in the 300,000 Big Bend  Ranch State Park there is little forage and only those who  well adapted to the spare  wild grasses, cactus and shrubs can survive in this Chihuahuan Desert wilderness.

Yet in this  remarkably rugged, remote and unpopulated setting since the time of the Conquistadors  feral burros have managed to survive and thrive.. The park extends along the Rio Grande from southeast of Presidio to near Lajitas in both Brewster and Presidio Counties.  For the next few days on the Mustang A Day Challenge  I am going to highlight the Burro issues of this remarkable park what is being done to help protect these resilient creatures.
 A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the of this print will go to theWild Burro Protection League - operating under Todd Mission Rescue