Happy Mustang! Reno Seaman HMA Challenge Painting #395

"Reno"
Seaman Herd HMANevada
5 by 7 inches Watercolor
by Linda L  Martin Artist
Private Collection

Burros From New Mexico~ Challenge Painting #390

"Coming Out"
New Mexico Burro Jenny and Foal
5 by 8.5 inches  Graphite on Paper
by LindaLMartinArtist
$65.00 Original
$ 35.00 Prints
info@llmartin.com for purchase details

Yearling Burro From New Mexico Challenge Painting #387

BLM New Mexico Yearling Burro
5 by 8.5 inches  Graphite on Paper
by LindaLMartinArtist
$65.00 Original
$ 35. 00 Prints
info@llmartin.com for purchase details

Challenge Painting #370 Mare and Foal Owyhee HMA, Nevada

"Flurries"
Owhyee Mare and Foal
8.5 by 11 inches Graphite on #110 paper
by LindaLMartinArtist
$150.00 Original
$35 Prints
To order prints e-mail info@llmartin.com

Happy Adoption: Rhett Adopted through the TIP Program Painting # 336

"Rhett"
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist
$35.00

Nicole Stuart McAleer's story on how Rhett came  be hers: 

"Last fall (2011) I was helping a trainer with her mustang for the Extreme Mustang Makeover. After that mustang she loved it so much that she brought in 4 TIP horses. At the time I couldn't have one because I already had 2 horses. About 40 days after the TIP horses came in my 5 year old gelding passed away of unknown causes. I was devastated and so was my mare. The TIP trainer informed me that "Brownie" as he was called, was still available and asked if I was interested. I couldn't resist the idea of a mustang, as I have always wanted one. So in January of 2012, I brought him home.

My favorite book is Gone With The Wind.My mare came with the name Scarlett, so that is where the name came from. We thought BLM's Gone With The Wind was a good name and call him Rhett around the house. He spent 30 days with a trainer and withing 6 months we allowed beginners to ride him. He has a wonderful temperament and is a pleasure to own. Other than my mare I don't think I will ever own another breed!!"

The Tip program ( Trainer Incentive Program) is a good way for a new adopter to adopt their first mustang. The trainer must be approved by the Mustang Heritage Foundation then they have a period of time to handle the mustang that is fresh off the range. The horse is gentled, feet handled and most of the ground work is done to make sure the horse can be handled safely for grooming, vetting, hoof care, haltering and leading and loading safely into and out of a trailer.. Tip trainers can also help with additional training for the first time owner. To find out all the requirements to adopt a mustang through the TIP progam please go to http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org/trainers.php 
 Just click on the map for trainers near you.

Wild Horses Up for Adoption: Silver Sorrel Filly #9718, Divide Basin HMA, Wyoming Painting # 335

Silver Sorrel Filly #9718
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin
$35.00

Update: This Filly was adopted after the Auction. She is now a Happily adopted mustang.
I call this color Silver Sorrel. It is when a chestnut horse has a silver mane and sometimes silver tail. Usually they are a deep reddish brown. Its a color I had never seen before until I began painting mustangs. They are of course beautiful.

This Filly's Stats:

Filly #9718

Sex: Filly Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands):
Necktag #: 9718   Date Captured: 10/28/11
Color: Sorrel   Captured: Divide Basin (WY)

Notes:
#9718 - 1 yr old sorrel filly, captured Oct 2011, from Divide Basin HMA, Wyoming.
This horse is currently at the Rock Springs Corrals, WY. For more information please contact the corrals at 307-352-0292 or email KFine@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Rock Springs, WY; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Other pick up options: Glen Rose, TX (Oct 4); Canutillo, TX (Oct 11); Canvas, WV (Oct 19).
  
   
The opening bid is $125.00
You must be approved to bid
and logged in.
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5412

How to be approved to adopt a wild horse: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/howtoadopt.php

Wild Horses Up for Adoption: Chestnut Gelding #1377 Jackies Butte HMA, Painting # 334

Jackies Butte Gelding #1377
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist
$35.00

Another sweet yearling from Jackies Butte. This yearling is available to bid on by approved bidders through the BLM's Eastern States Internet Adoption.He would certainly benefit from a good home willing to use natural horsemanship to  partner with him and build a lasting relationship. Trust building with a mustang is always the best way to go for a successful adoption.

If you don't have room for this wonderful mustang gelding please share far and wide so we can help find him an awesome home.

Here are his stats:

Sorrel Gelding #1377

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands): 14.2
Necktag #: 1377   Date Captured: 08/04/11
Color: Sorrel   Captured: Jackies Butte (OR)

Notes:
#1377 - 1 yr old sorrel gelding, captured Aug 2011, from Jackies Butte HMA, Oregon.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541-573-2748 or email pwilson@blm.gov or Tara at tmartina@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Salt Lake, UT; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS. The Burns, OR facility will haul 400 miles, one-way, for successful bidders. Other pick up options: Glen Rose, TX (Oct 4); Canutillo, TX (Oct 11); Canvas, WV (Oct 19).
   
   
The opening bid is $125.00         
You must be approved to bid and logged in.
 https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5372

How to be approved to adopt a wild horse: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/howtoadopt.php

Wild Horses Up for Adoption: Chestnut Gelding #9783 Divide Basin Wyoming, Painting # 334

Chestnut Gelding #9783
Divide Basin Wyoming
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
$35.00

Today's painting is a wonderful little dark chestnut gelding from Wyoming. This yearling is available to bid on by approved bidders through the BLM's Eastern States Internet Adoption.He would certainly benefit from a good home willing to use natural horsemanship to  partner with him and build a lasting relationship. Trust building with a mustang is always the best way to go for a successful adoption.

If you dont have room for this wonderful mustang gelding please share far and wide so we can help find him an awesome home.

Here are his stats:

Yearling #9783

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands): N/A

Necktag #: 9783   Date Captured: 10/29/11
Color: Chestnut   Captured: Divide Basin (WY)

Notes:
#9783 - 1 yr old chestnut gelding, captured Oct 2011, from Divide Basin HMA, Wyoming.
This horse is currently at the Rock Springs Corrals, WY. For more information please contact the corrals at 307-352-0292 or email KFine@blm.gov
Pick up options (by appt): Rock Springs, WY; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Other pick up options: Glen Rose, TX (Oct 4); Canutillo, TX (Oct 11); Canvas, WV (Oct 19).
   
   
The opening bid is $125.00      
You must be approved to bid and logged in.
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5413

How to be approved to adopt a wild horse: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/howtoadopt.php

Wild Horses Up for Adoption: Sorrel Gelding #1361 Jackies Butte HMA, Oregon Painting # 333

Jackies Butte Oregon Gelding #1361
4 by 6 inches watercolor
by LindaLMartin
$35.00

The Eastern States Internet Adoption is happening as I post this. The 15 day event has about  5 more days to go. The adoption is open to approved bidders and the BLM will ship to pick up points as far East as  West Virginia or  Mississippi. This yearling has a sweet face and beautiful chrome. He would add class to any barn.  He would certainly benefit from a good home willing to use natural horsemanship to  partner with her and build a lasting relationship. Trust building with a mustang is always the best way to go for a successful adoption.

Remember that horses offered for adoption through the BLM three times, will most likely be placed in a long term holding  federal sanctuary pasture some place in the Mid-west. When horses enter those facilities, unless you know their exact registration numbers they are very difficult if not impossible to find. On occasion they are adopted or purchased in groups as Sales Authority horses with no limits. Once sold the horses are no longer considered wild and loose their protections under the Wild Horse and Burro Act.

So please if you know of anyone who would be interested in adopting one of these horses please share the link with them and lets get them adopted.

Here are his stats:

Sorrel Gelding #1361

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands): 14.0
Necktag #: 1361   Date Captured: 08/03/11
Color: Sorrel   Captured: Jackies Butte (OR)

Notes:
#1361 - 1 yr old sorrel gelding, captured Aug 2011, from Jackies Butte HMA, Oregon.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541-573-2748 or email pwilson@blm.gov or Tara at tmartina@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Salt Lake, UT; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
The Burns, OR facility will haul 400 miles, one-way, for successful bidders.
Other pick up options: Glen Rose, TX (Oct 4); Canutillo, TX (Oct 11); Canvas, WV (Oct 19).
      
The opening bid is $125.00     
 You must be approved to bid and logged in.
 https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5357 

How to be approved to adopt a wild horse: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/howtoadopt.php

Wild Horses Up for Adoption: Black Filly #1505 Three Fingers HMA, Oregon Painting # 332

Three Fingers Black Filly #1505
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
SOLD

The Eastern States Internet Adoption is happening as I post this. The 15 day event has about  7 more days to go. The adoption is open to approved bidders and the BLM will ship to pick up points as far East as  West Virginia or  Mississippi. This is probably my favorite horse from the number offered on the Internet Adoption this time. I think she is gorgeous. Anyone who adopts this little girl would be very lucky.  And she would certainly benefit from a good home willing to use natural horsemanship to  partner with her and build a lasting relationship.

Remember that horses offered for adoption three times will most likely be placed in a long term holding  federal sanctuary pasture some place in the Midwest. When horses enter those facilities, unless you know their exact registration numbers they are very difficult if not impossible to find. On occasion they are adopted or purchased in groups as Sales Authority horses with no limits.

So please if you know of anyone who would be interested in adopting one of these horses please share the link with them and lets get them adopted.

Here are Her Stats:
Sex: Filly Age: 1 Years   Height (in hands): 13.3
Necktag #: 1505   Date Captured: 08/09/11
Color: Black   Captured: Three Fingers (OR)

Filly #1505

Notes:
#1505 - 1 yr old black filly, captured Aug 2011, from Three Fingers HMA, Oregon.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541-573-2748 or email pwilson@blm.gov or Tara at tmartina@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Salt Lake, UT; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
The Burns, OR facility will haul 400 miles, one-way, for successful bidders.
Other pick up options: Glen Rose, TX (Oct 4); Canutillo, TX (Oct 11); Canvas, WV (Oct 19).
   
  To bid on this horse: 
The opening bid is $125.00         
You must be approved to bid and logged in.
The link for this horse: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5369
Information on How to adopt: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/howtoadopt.php

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

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

Happy Adoptions Challenge Painting #107 "Gypsy Boone and Firecracker"

Sometimes a Mustang just needs to have a herd.
Here's what happened when Dana Kesselring bought a companion for her Extreme Mutang Makeover Horse.

Gypsy Boone and his Companion Firecracker
5 by 7 inches Watercolor
by Linda L Martin

In Dana's words:

"Gypsy Boone was my first EMM  entry.  I fell in love at first sight., I ended up adopting him. He has always been alone since I got him, so I decided he needed a friend.  I bought a little mini named Firecracker and they are inseparable buddies.

Gypsy takes such good care of little Firecracker, he makes sure he gets plenty of exercise and playtime. He guards over him like a watch dog. Gypsy was my first mustang but not my last! "

Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands Challenge Painting #99

The Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands

"Peregrine"
9 by 6 inches Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

The Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands is a herd of feral ponies, mostly of Shetland pony descent, employed to live upon the Forestry Service and State Park lands surrounding Mt Rogers in Virginia.

One of the people who are documenting these feral ponies is Amy Flood, a professional photographer, who has love and passion for the ponies as well as professionalism in documenting their habitat, their behavior and their lives. She also sees first hand how some interactions with humans can be detrimental to the wild ponies. Feeding them "treats" can sometimes spell desaster for the ponies. 



Peregrine a few days old and the first time
Amy saw him. Photo by Amy Flood.
Used by permission.

Today Amy talks about Peregrine. In her own words:

"Peregrine was the first colt born in 2011. His dam is Eowyn and his sire is Pippin. I first photographed him during a ferocious spring snowstorm. In 2009, Eowyn had a blue-eyed colt, but did not foal in 2010.

Thus far, Eowyn has been doing a fairly good job of keeping him away from hikers/visitors, for which I am grateful. Unfortunately a lot of people ignore the rules and feed the ponies - even horse people don't seem to realize how damaging it can be. As long as he remains shy around people he won't be consume anything that will make him sick! :) "



Peregrine is growing daily under the watchful eye
of his mom Eowyn. Photo by Amy Flood.
Used by permissioin

To read more about these ponies  and their history  you can read the the Mustang A Day Challenge News blog with additional links to the Grayson Highlands State Park  http://mustangadaychallengenews.blogspot.com/ 

and follow Amy's visits and photography on her blog http://graysonhighlandsponies.com/

  For more information on the Grayson Highlands State Park Pony Auction The Wilburn Ridge Pony Association holds an auction at 2:00 PM on the Saturday following the 4th full week in September. The auction is part of the Grayson Highlands Fall Fest. All auctioned ponies have passed veterinary examination and testing, and the proceeds from their purchase goes toward sustaining the pony herd and local charities. For further information call: 276-579-7092 or go to

Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands Challenge Painting #98



"Hurricane"
9 by 6 inch Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

The Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands is a herd of feral ponies, mostly of Shetland pony descent, employed to live upon the Forestry Service and State Park lands surrounding Mt Rogers in Virginia.

One of the people who are documenting these feral ponies is Amy Flood, a professional photographer, who has love and passion for the ponies as well as professionalism in documenting their habitat, their behavior and their lives.

Today Amy talks about Hurricane. In her own words: "

Hurricane with HoneyBear
Photograhy by Amy Flood. Use by Permission

Hurricane

"His sire is Tornado. He and his step daddy, Gideon, are particularly close...I see them playing together frequently. Hurricane is also fast friends with Eminem and HoneyBear (Ocelot's yearling pinto filly).



Hurrricane in the Hawthorn
Photo by Amy Flood. Used by permission.

Hurricane has a mischievous streak - he is always into some sort of trouble. He will take any excuse to stampede across the balds, bucking and kicking up his heels. Somewhat possessive of his dam, he is quick to express his jealousy whenever another pony pays her attention.

 Interestingly enough, Lady left Gideon in fall of 2010 and returned to Tornado's band briefly while in estrus(heat). "

"Hurricane"
Photo by Amy Flood.
This photo and reference photography used by permission.

To read more about these ponies  and their history  you can read the the Mustang A Day Challenge News blog with additional links to the Grayson Highlands State Park  http://mustangadaychallengenews.blogspot.com/ 

and follow Amy's visits and photography on her blog http://graysonhighlandsponies.com/

For more information on the Grayson Highlands State Park Pony Auction The Wilburn Ridge Pony Association holds an auction at 2:00 PM on the Saturday following the 4th full week in September. The auction is part of the Grayson Highlands Fall Fest. All auctioned ponies have passed veterinary examination and testing, and the proceeds from their purchase goes toward sustaining the pony herd and local charities. For further information call: 276-579-7092 or go to 

Contact Information

Primary Contact: Grayson Highlands State Park Phone: 276-579-7092 829 Grayson Highland Lane Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363

Email: GraysonHighlands@dcr.virginia.gov
Web Address: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml



Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands Challenge Painting #95

  The Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands is a herd of feral ponies, mostly of Shetland pony descent, employed to live upon the Forestry Service and State Park lands surrounding Mt Rogers in Virginia.


Smokey
6 by 9 inch Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

The herd is maintained to 120 ponies. They are chosen for their heartiness, their ability to thrive in mountain heights above 4,500 feet and to keep the native thorny hawthorn in check.  The ponies are managed by a local citizen group called the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association. Select ponies are rounded up in early September and vetted for adoption auction during the Grayson Highland Fall Fest.



Smokey showing off his long silver tresses.
Photo by Amy Flood. Used by permission

As most of the wild horses in the United States are of Spanish mustang descent and are from stock of North and Central American Colonial history, the Grayson Highland's Ponies are neither horses, nor are they of Spanish or Iberian colonial stock. However, they were specifically chosen for their short legged hearty demeanor and their ability to fulfil the job requirements of keeping the hawthorn in check while doing practically no damage to the environment. 

One of the people who are documenting these feral ponies is Amy Flood, a professional photographer, who has love and passion for the ponies as well as professionalism in documenting their habitat, their behavior and their lives. This documentation includes  the impact of how frequent visitors to the park affects the herd behavior and dynamics.

In Amy's Words:


Smokey showing off his silver dapples.
This photo and reference photography provided
by Amy Flood and used by perission.

"Smokey

Smokey is one of the most recognizable stallions, with his silver dappling and thick flowing mane & tail. He and his band roam the balds just above the parking lot at Massie Gap, and so are among the most photographed ponies on the mountain. Currently his band consists of his faithful lead mare River, as well as Rocket, Galaxy, EvaSince and Rocket & River's yearling fillies - Flicka & Brook. I cannot be certain of his age, but my guess is he is one of the older stallions on the mountain (perhaps 10-15 yrs?).



Flicka and Smokey
Photo by Amy Flood
Used by permission.

He and Flicka have a particularly interesting relationship. Flicka is actually Pippin's daughter (and the spitting image of the pinto stallion), but was born into Smokey's band. Flicka adores her stepdaddy and is constantly seeking his attention. Smokey is not one of the more affectionate stallions on the mountain - he can oftentimes appear very aloof. At times he can be quite impatient with Flicka, but over time I have noticed him softening towards her. At the risk of sounding anthropomorphic, I would say it seems she has cracked his tough exterior and holds a special place in his heart. :) "

To read more about these ponies  and their history  you can read the the Mustang A Day Challeng News blog with addtional links to the Grayson Highlands State Park  http://mustangadaychallengenews.blogspot.com/ and follow Amy's visits and photography on her blog http://graysonhighlandsponies.com/

For more information on the Grayson Highlands State Park Pony AuctionThe Wilburn Ridge Pony Association holds an auction at 2:00 PM on the Saturday following the 4th full week in September. The auction is part of the Grayson Highlands Fall Fest. All auctioned ponies have passed veterinary examination and testing, and the proceeds from their purchase goes toward sustaining the pony herd and local charities. For further information call: 276-773-3111 or go to http://www.graysonfallfestival.org/.

"Lean On Me" Tango and Madeleine ~ Challenge Painting #92

 Fort Collins Makeover Horse Tango and Madeleine LeClerc:

At this point in the training both Madeleine LeClerc and Robert Carlson are consistent and repetitive, adding a little more activity to the horse to give it confidence and build a connection.  Every thing is serious work, but it is also fun for the horses. There is lots of affection and encouragement. Already they have both ridden their horses, led them through an obstacle course, ramped up their grooming by teaching them to pick up feet and yield their feet. And Both horses have had their first bath. These are just a few of the daily activities the two trainers from R&M Performance Horses have accomplished with their Fort Collins Colorado Makeover Horses.



Madeleine and Tango. In this photo Madeleine is
getting on and off Tango on the wrong side.
 Generally the proper side to mount is the left side.
 However, in an emergency or in the case of
someone who is unable to use their left foot
 to mount, it is helpful that the horse be trained
 to mount from both sides.

 One very important thing in the training of any horse is teaching it to feel comfortable receiving weight.  The horse should be quietly unconcerned and attentive to its handler whether that weight is just someone leaning on its neck, standing on its back, leaning across the saddle, or mounting on either side.  Really good trainers teach the horse how to accept weight very early on in the training. Not just the weight of someone sitting on their backs but weight that shifts, weight that pushes, weight that drags and weight that pulls. All of these aspects of training not only keep the horse safe  for those riders a little on the clumsy side, it also prepares the horse for all sorts of opportunities to partner with its rider on the trail,  in unexpected  pleasure riding activities and in work.



Robert  and Watson working
on mounting and dismounting.

 This painting "Lean on Me" shows Madeleine leaning with her arm on the saddle with the reins on either side. This is the first step to mounting alone. Through this exercise she stands with one foot in the stirrup, then actually sits in the saddle, then dismounts. Then repeats, sometimes getting on and off on the wrong side. Sometimes she standing with one foot in the stirrup, so that Tango becomes use to having someone high above him. 

You can follow Madeleine LeClerc's and Robert Carlson's  weekly training updates and more amazing photographs provided by Lightning Bug Creek Photography documenting the training of their  Fort Collin's Makeover Horses Tango and Watson on their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/2011-CO-Mustang-Makeover-with-RM-Performance/119433394800806

Prints of this painting are availalbe for sale begining Wednesday of this week on http://www.fineartamerica.com/  Search LindaLMartinArtist

Reference Photography for this painting were provided by Lightning Bug Creek Photography and used by permission.

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.

Steens HMA Week: " Available and Adoptable Black Filly" from Stinkwater HMA Challenge Painting #70

Black Filly
9 by 6 Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist

I just couldnt bring myself to title this one with her tag number. Each day I learn more about mustangs and how they are managed and the people who care about them. There are such a wide varity and complex issues involved with the round ups. The most important one to my mind is what happens to the horses after they are taken off the range. The best case senerio is that adoptive homes are found for them.

This little filly from Stinkwater HMA in Oregon evokes all sorts of benevelont emotions, however she has yet to find an adoptive home. She seems to have three marks against her that probably should stir up the desire to rescue this baby from her implied circumstances rather than make her a less appealing adoption prospect. The first is the name of her HMA. Stinkwater doesnt exactly  suggest the romantic herds that Pryor Mountains, Kieger, and Steens bring to mind. Of course that  doesnt make her any less a daughter of great mustang stallions and  a historic legacy of our Wild Horse heritage.



Filly #666
Photo by Tracey Westbury
Used by permission



Our Guest Blogger Tracey Westbury says this about the little mare:

"This adoptable filly has fallen under several different nicknames;  Sixes, Night Mare, Witchy Woman...her tag number is the unfortunate 666.

It doesn’t help that she's all black and in her photo she has birds hanging off from her shoulder.  And yet this is what also endears her to so many people who've seen her photo.  She's obviously not happy about those birds there. 

This filly is from Stinkingwater HMA.  Horses here have a strong draft influence and range in size from 14.2-16 hands.  There are many roans to be found, along with bays, sorrels and blacks.  She's located currently at the wild horse corrals in Oregon.