Adopting a mustang had been a fantasy of mine for a while. I just loved the idea of owning a beautiful animal that was also a piece of American history. I started reading magazine articles about the adoptions and it became clear that this was something I could do. There are so many helpful websites full of great information on the adoption and gentling process. I started looking at the BLM website. I was surprised to see so many beautiful horses just waiting for a good home.
Because I had no experience taming a wild horse, Michael Meyers at PVC recommended I start with a young one. A good suggestion I think. One little yearling bay stud colt caught my eye....he wasn't flashy or colorful but there was something about the crooked little snip on his nose and the cute little pointed ears that just said "I'm the one." It really only took a couple of phone calls to make the arrangements and schedule a trip to pick him up. He had only been captured a short time before I spotted him so he wasn't even ready to go yet. None of the horses are adopted out until they have had two sets of shots 30 days apart. I also requested that they geld him for me which they will do at no charge. He was officially adopted on July 19, 2006
We picked Maverick up at the Palomino Valley Holding Facility (just north of Reno, NV) on August 14, 2006. It was an uneventful trip. I was amazed at the number of horses they have at that place. All ages and colors. Beautiful wild horses! Maverick was alone in a holding pen. After signing a few forms the wrangler moved Mav through a series of chutes and gates and got him into what they call their haltering chute. The wrangler was so gentle while haltering the scared little colt. Maverick was haltered and sent running into the trailer. The only suggestion the wrangler made to us was "just head straight home..don't stop and check on him..just leave him be and get him home." Well we did have to stop for gas once or twice but we never climbed up on the trailer to peek in. We didn't want to make things worse for the poor little guy.
We arrived home and it was already dark. Not knowing what to expect when he came out of the trailer we very carefully tied panels to form a chute to the trailer and while holding our breathe opened the trailer door. I expected him to charge out with a crash and a bang but there was nothing but silence. After about a minute he stepped out of the trailer and into his new pen. He spotted a pile of alfalfa waiting for him and went straight to the business of eating. That was about as exciting as it got. Thank you Lord!
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