|
|
MUSTANG VERSATILITY
by Dana Lovell
Dana Lovell riding Raven, previously known as neck tag #1649
|
I first met tag #1649 April 2014. A large, dark, whirlwind came loping down the alley and into the chute at the Burns Wild Horse Corrals. 1649 was my draw for the 2014 Extreme Mustang Makeover. He was captured in the Sand Springs, Barron Valley, OR HMA as a two year old in 2011. Makeover trainers have 100 days to tame, train and then compete on a previously "untouched" mustang.
|
#1649 waiting in the chute to be loaded onto Dana's trailer at Burns Wild Horse Corrals in Oregon.
|
|
I was instantly in love, exclaiming how "sexy" he was. I reminded myself that the point of this competition was to train these horses so they were adoptable and could go on to find their forever home. I named my Mustang Raven in honor of my mother who passed when I was 15. She was my biggest supporter when it came to my horse passion and riding. I was home schooled and my mother and I would visit a lake to take walks. She would talk to the ravens, "caw caw cawing" at them, and they would call back. At the time I was incredibly embarrassed, now it is a fond memory . |
|
Raven and I had our ups and downs. Infection in a wound put us more than a month "behind" and then we scrambled to "catch up". Raven and I spent hours upon hours together. As I taught him, he taught me more. Working with him was a bit like training a mule. His level of self-preservation was very high, just like a mule. Things had to be clear, make sense, and most the time I had to make it his idea. "Why do I want to walk over that tarp when there is all that perfectly solid ground around it". I was a better horsewoman and person because of the experiences I had with that Mustang. He taught me to slow down, think outside the box and really appreciate each accomplishment. I learned a new meaning of progress. |
Dana and Raven winning the 2014 Extreme Mustang Makeover Reining Freestyle
|
|
|
Dana and Raven competing in a Reining Freestyle
The competition went as well as expected and then it was time for the auction. All the competing horses are auctioned off at the end of the competition. Trainers may also bid to keep their Mustangs, but my husband made it clear that wasn't happening. We had six horses and didn’t need another. My heart was heavy and my stomach in knots. I had a witty, informative speech planned but when the mic was handed to me I choked back tears and mumbled something about Raven being "a good horse". He was sold for $2,200.00, one of the high selling horses that day. I felt that a piece of my soul was driving away in the unfamiliar trailer.
Dana saying "goodbye" to Raven at the end of the Makeover. Raven was going home with the highest bidder that day.
|
A few months later I received a call. Due to unforeseen circumstances Raven's adopter could no longer keep him. They asked if I could help re home him. When I went to pick him up I realized I couldn't let him go again. I had another project at the time and Raven was turned out for the winter with my herd to get a much deserved break. The Makeovers put a lot of stress on the horse in a short amount of time and he deserved some down time. In the Spring we started back to work but that was put on hold when I broke my neck coming off a colt in for training. I was forced to slow down and "just be" with my Mustang. Our bond grew even stronger and I counted the days till I was released to ride. Two weeks after my release date Raven and I hauled to a horse show and competed in Ranch Horse classes. We earned second place ribbons and many compliments. "That’s a Mustang, I thought they were smaller", "He's too pretty to be a Mustang". I always enjoy pulling his mane back exposing his brand when people ask what his breed is. 
Since then we have continued to sharpen our skills as a team and we compete in English and Western classes. We hold our own against the registered stock. Last year we took the Green Horse and JR Horse year end award in our local show association earning us two snazzy jackets, I wear proudly. We also earned reining freestyle champion at the State Fair. Most recently we started Reining training and in a few weeks we will competing in Cowboy Dressage. |
|
Our goal is to share with the public that a Mustang can be an athletic, all around mount. I hope to change a bit of the stigma that the "range rats" have. The bond my Mustang and I share is unlike any I have had with another horse. I look forward to continuing our showing journey and putting a bright spotlight on what a Mustang a CAN do.
|
THE MUSTANG FORTRESS UPDATE
Gretchen Loebel and Jennifer Loebel Knight
In the July Issue of Wild Heart Mustangs™, we had “A Family Affair” adoption of three Bureau of Land Management Mustangs from the Ithaca, NY Adoption held June 17-18, 2016. Gretchen Loebel and Jennifer Loebel Knight, two sisters and their combined families have been gentling and training their three Mustangs: Poppy, Buttercup and George at the "Mustang Fortress" in Massachusetts. Wild Heart Mustangs™ wanted to give you an update on their progress.
June 24, 2016 from left to right: Poppy, Buttercup and George
|
July 24, 2016 - All three groomed, all feet picked up front and back, fly sprayed. All three catchable, haltered, and leading. All three enjoying short fences.
Best. Project. Ever. |
Mustang updates: 39 days out of the holding pens: July 28, 2016
Poppy appears to have overcome her fear of saddle pads. She even wore a saddle today (without a girth), Kate put some weight on her, and she learned that she likes to be hosed off.
|
|
Proud of your special mustang, burro, mule or donkey and want to share your photos and stories with us? We would love to have them!
Go to our CONTACT page and email them to us!
No need to be fancy...take a picture with your phone and send it off to us!
