Wild Mustangs

This one's for you, Linda! Today, for the first time in 11 years, the BLM brought some wild Mustangs and burros to Santa Rosa for adoption. Amelia & I decided to go down and check them out. We got there just as the truck arrived. All 30 horses were in one truck, separated into 3 groups: mares, geldings, and the youngsters. When they opened up the back of the truck, the first group to exit were the youngsters. They totally panicked, and all you could hear was hooves stomping around in there. It took about 5 minutes for the first horse to finally leave the truck; then they all bolted out. It was impressive to see the horsemen get into the stalls with these groups of horses, and, holding only a stick with a piece of plastic on the end, herd them around. It took a half-hour or so for them to settle down. They all stick together - guess that's the herding temperament. People were lined up all along the fence, and the horses would prefer not to face the people; they'd all group together with their butts facing us. Then one would bite another on the rump, they'd all have a bit of commotion, tear around the stall, and then they'd settle down; nuzzles together, butts facing us again. They were beautiful. Today was just the preview; tomorrow's the auction.

Coaxing them out of the truck:


The burros arrived earlier in the day; here they are watching the first horses into the pens

Just out of the truck

Channel 7 news and the crowd of hopeful adopters

This one and a half-year-old mare was already halter-gentled by a BLM volunteer.

"Hey, don't forget, we're up for adoption too!"

Never pass up an opportunity to sketch.

I'd take this one if I could.