Happy Adoptions Challenge Painting #108 "CP and Dulce"

When Quarter Horse Breeder Deb Moore-McGuire  went to  see some mustangs with Mustang U TIP Trainer Tracey Westbury she didnt expect to come home with a mustang. And she didnt. She came home with three, eventually. 

CP and Dulce'
5 by 7 inch Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

The Story in her words:

"Tracey and I first saw this palomino mare in Feb of 2010 when we went to Burns Ore for the BLM Colorfest adoption. In a pen of mostly dark or pinto horses the "little" palomino mare with the LONG mane really showed up. With a grulla tobiano 2yr old that stuck to her like glue. We dubbed her "Miss Cranky Pants" because she seemed to always be crabbing at someone getting into her space.

I ended up adopting the shy 2yr old grulla pinto that was her daughter. (how that happened is another whole story)  But the palomino mare with all the mane stuck with me thru the spring and summer. I would see her pictures come up on my computer screen and think about what a nice looking mare she was and ALL that mane. ;o)

Then Tracey Westbury and Maggie Rothauge came home from the corrals the end of August with photos of Miss CP (we shortened her name so it didn't sound so bad) and her 2011 loud overo filly.

I thought it would be fun to have 2 sisters that were so different. Since the filly was not quit ready to wean in Sept. I decided IF I could find someone who wanted to sponsor and adopt CP I would bring the pair home. Since CP had been at the corrals for over a year and was 8yrs old she was allowed to come out in the TIP program.

So off we went the end of Oct to Burns to get them. I adopted the filly whom we named Dulce' (Sweet). Altho when we picked them up Tom kept calling her "Tiger" and informed me I would have my hands full with her. She came around very quickly and is now halterbroke and very friendly.

Dulce' is a silly goose and always looking for something or someone to play with. CP now is very talkative and all three of them (CP. Primera and Dulce') love to bang on things. Gates, tipped over water tubs, or anything that will make noise. I think they are wanna be Mustang "rockstars". And they all love to play in water tubs.

My Friend Lisa has adopted CP altho she will live at my house until she is fully gentled and ridable. Her mane is still amazing long and she is shedding out a pretty dark golden palomino. And the "little" palomino mare is a big stout 15.1hds. Nothing little about her.)"

The reference photography,images and story were provided by Deb Moore McGuire.

All rights reserved.

A portion of the proceeds of this painting go to Mustang U

This post was scheduled for Thursday May 12th. However due to problems with Blogger it was posted on 5/13/011

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Help support the Challenge

Have your Horse painted:

The watercolor painting of Dulce and CP is a 5 by 7 inch ready to frame. If you would like to have one of these little paintings of your horse here are the prices for 2014: 

1 horse $75.00

2 horses $85.00  

$5.50 will provided S&H for up to three paintings combined ship of this size.

Client provides Photos and  Story to be included in the Challenge. Proof of Copyright required on photography when requested.

Ready to Adopt Mustang Babies~ Challenge Painting #85

Adoptable Palomino Weanling
5.5 by 5.75 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

Gorgeous! Palomino Colt available for adoption.  Contact Tracey Westbury at Mustang U for more information on this special baby. tracey.mustangu@gmail.com.

Palamino colt ready for adoption/
Reference photo provided by Tracey Westbury.
Used by permission.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting benefit the work of Mustang U.

Ready to Adopt Mustang Babies~ Challenge Painting #84



Looking for Adoption Roan Filly
5.5 by 6.75 inch Watercolor
LindaLMartinArtist



Reference Photo provided by Tracey Westbury
Used with Permission

 Beautiful Roan Filly available for adoption.  Contact Tracey Westbury at Mustang U for more information on this special baby. tracey.mustangu@gmail.com.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting benefit the work of Mustang U.

Ready to Adopt Mustang Babies~ Challenge Painting #81



"Running Feather"
5 by 7 inch watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist



Beautiful Pinto Colt avaiable for adoption.  Contact Tracey Westbury at Mustang U for more information on this special baby. tracey.mustangu@gmail.com.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of this painting benifit the work of Mustang U.

Steens HMA Week "Jingles and Juniper" Challenge Painting #67

"Jingles and Juniper"
5 by 7 inche Watercolor
by Linda L MartinArtist
SOLD

The Story of Juniper and Jingles as told by Tracy Westbury:

"The story of Juniper (colt) and Jingles  (mare) has captured a lot of hearts.  These photos were taken in late Oct, 2010.  Wildlife Photographer, Barbara Wheeler spotted Jingles and her newborn in mid-Sept.  When we reported that we'd spotted a mare who was extremely down in weight, we had a lot of people telling us that was normal for a mare who'd just foaled.  But upon seeing the photos, people were surprised at just how down in weight she was.  Coming into winter, when the snow could be several feet deep, we questioned whether she and her colt would survive.

When this photo was taken at the end of Autumn
you can see the dip in the mare, Jingle's,
 backbone,that is caused by loss of condition.
In an older mare such as Jingles, this is probably
 because she is feeding all the nutrients
she consumes to her foal instead of  building up
 her own stores for winter. Had the winter been
worse the mare would have probably perished and
her foal would have been nurtured by an aunt
with in the herd.

The two have been spotted a couple more times this winter.  Juniper is now 5 months and a very healthy colt.  Jingles, who at the time of these photos appeared to be a lead mare, now staggers along a good hundred to two hundred feet behind her band.  Her stallion appears annoyed with her, willing to leave her behind, not giving her a second glance.  When at the watering hole or a mineral deposit, Jingles stays a good distance away, waiting for everyone else to finish before cautiously moving in.

The winter has been kind to her...no snow on the mountain!  This has enabled her to continue to get enough nutrition to feed her colt.  If she were to die tomorrow, Juniper would be strong enough to survive.  But there is no doubt that Jingles won't be with us much longer. "

Editor's Note: This story was written in February and as of Tuesday March16 both Juniper and Jingles have been photographed. Juniper is in fine condition and has lost all of her baby fluff and has turned into a beautiful rich chocolate silver that just glistens in the sunshine. Jingles did indeed make it through the winter. The resilience of Mustang mares is remarkable. She is now beginning to put on weight. According to one horse watcher they are hopeful that after 15 years of having foals she will be barren this year and in coming years, which will allow her a chance to live out her life  healthy. If you would like to follow more of the Steens horses please log into Facebook and go to the "Sister's of the Steens" page. There are photos, discussions, and a number of people who can tell you how to visit these horses safely.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this painting will benefit Mustang U.

Steens HMA Week " Dibs" Challenge Painting #66

Today's Challenge Painting is of a young Steens bachelor stallion. He was named Dibs by the daughter of this week's guest blogger Tracey Westbury.  



"Dibs"
5 by 7 Watercolor
$45.00
by Linda L Martin Artist
SOLD



" When we made our first trip to the South Steens in the winter of 2008, we encountered the Hollywood Herd, and among them were two pinto colts who appeared to be long yearlings.  Katie stood quietly, and patiently made her way up into their space.  One colt stayed completely relaxed and continued grazing until she was 10-15' from him, at which time he simply turned and walked away.  She was determined to adopt him if he was among those gathered the following year.  She called Dibs.

When the South Steens was gathered in '09, Dibs was among them.  We spotted his photo in a friend's online album about a month after the gather.  We contacted the BLM, knowing that we'd be down for their special adoption event in February, but were told that Dibs was not there.  He was good looking enough, they felt, that he should be returned to the mountain.



Dibs and  Katie
in 2010
photos and references used by permission
copyright2010 Tracey Westbury



Katie was heartsick.  She knows what a rough life it can be for horses out there, and she didn't want to see Dibs hurt in battle, or worse, starving as an old, aged stallion in years to come.  When that day comes, it will be incredibly difficult for her.  But now, in the meantime, she's able to make trips with me to the South Steens to see 'her' wild horse.  In August of 2010 we found Dibs grazing with a bachelor herd.  He was huge...so grown up and filled out!  Katie again quietly made her way toward him, choosing her steps carefully as he grazed.  She'd stop and take a photo or two, then continue to approach.  Eventually, she was there.  The big pinto stood and posed for her, then turned his head to look at her.  As she stood looking into his eyes, he turned and faced up.  It was no more than a moment, and Katie took a step backward, 'releasing' him, and they both walked back into their respective worlds."

Tracey Westbury operates Mustang U, a non-profit for the purpose of helping make older gathered mustangs easier to adopt. You can read more about her work on her blog. http://mustangu.blogspot.com/

You can read more about the Steens on Mustang A Day Challenge News: http://mustangadaychallengenews.blogspot.com/2011/03/south-steens-week-on-mustang-day.html

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Paintings from the Steens HMA Week are available for sale. Each painting will be 5 by 7 inch watercolor offered for $45.00 each. A portion of each sale will go to Mustang U.  If you have a special  Steens horse that you would like to commission for the project please contact me through my facebook page: www.facebook.com/LindaLMartinArtist