Dark brown horse standing in an equestrian dirt arena

Mustang Mindfulness

Finding Connection with Mustangs

Wild mustangs have been roaming the plains and kicking up dust for centuries. Here at Paws Up, we’re privileged to have the resources and facilities to not only welcome them into our hearts and our herd, but also to spend countless hours “gentling,” or desensitizing and training them. It takes a lot of hard work and patience to work with a wild animal unaccustomed to human interaction. It’s something most cattle ranches won’t consider taking on—and unlike anything any other resort offers. It’s a humbling experience to watch an animal transform from skittish to socialized, and we consider it an honor to share it with you.

This activity is designed for groups who want to learn more about mustangs and the patience, dedication, and strategy required to take them from wild to mild. Watch in wonder—outside the ring—as Equestrian Manager Jackie Kecskes “gentles” a mustang. See the process in action, as the horse responds to her every move and the pitch of her voice. In a time when immediate gratification isn’t fast enough, this demonstration is a powerful real-life example of the value of slowing down.

Horse and Mustang Rescue at Paws Up

While most adoption news comes with the pitter-patter of little feet, ours is accompanied by the thunderous sound of galloping hooves. In the spring of 2018, we brought home five mustang rescues through the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. We’ve opened our ranch—and our hearts—to these majestic creatures, because we share the BLM’s commitment to horse rescue and to protecting and preserving mustangs as living symbols of the West’s pioneering spirit, and as beautiful creatures worthy of our care.

Few things embody the wild, independent spirit of the American West quite like the mustang. These hardy animals were first brought to the Americas by the Spanish. The word “mustang” comes from mesteño, meaning running wild. Today, nearly 70,000 wild horses roam public lands. While they are protected by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971, the BLM is tasked with protecting public lands and controlling the population through roundups for relocation and adoption. Of course, not many can take in one wild horse, let alone five, but Equestrian Manager Jackie Kecskes hitched up the trailer and drove to Utah, bringing back the first four in March, with the fifth arriving in April.