Wild horses find a caring partner thru WHF

By MANDY JOHN | Central Texas Edition

Susan Calhoun and Ray Field of the Wild Horse Foundation were on hand in Glen Rose where they showed their love for wild horses by helping with BLM adoptions and general wild horse training. -Staff photo by John

November 21, 2002 -- Horse lovers from the United States and abroad were able to pick out and adopt various wild and saddled horses and burros gathered from mainly Nevada but including ten different states across the mid-west at the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) National Wild Horse and Burro Expo, held in Glen Rose, Texas Nov. 14-17. The Wild Horse Foundation, located in Franklin, Texas was also at the event to promote the adoption of these wild horses and burros.

Susan Calhoun, president of the foundation, said that the Wild Horse Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent the American Mustang from suffering abuse, neglect, and slaughter.

"Our goal is to support the Wild Horse and Burro Program through the BLM's Horse Adoption Foundation ," explained Calhoun. "We are a resource for gentle horsemanship assistance training as well as providing education programs to the public."

Some of the assistance that the Wild Horse Foundation offers includes:

• rescuing abandoned, abused or neglected wild horses, rehabilitating, gentling and placing by adoption into new loving homes.

• providing technical knowledge and assistance with training, as well as gentling and desensitizing using gentle horsemanship techniques.

• educating the general public on wild horse issues through the implementation of programs, which reinforce the need for preservation, protection and management, while promoting a more positive image of the wild horse.

• being a referral and consultation service that assists with placement of gentled horses to other nonprofit organizations.

• organizing events where horse owners/enthusiasts can learn how the wild horse compares to domestic horses, in events such as trail rides, team penning, working cattle, pleasure riding, barrel racing, and endurance races.

Ray Field, co-founder and trainer, stated, "We have 13 horses on our ranch, nine of them are mustangs."

Field, also known as the "Mustang Man", said that he likes to care for and protect the mustang. "I have a deep love for these wonderful and majestic horses.

"One of the great things that we do is we hold various classes and clinics every month for people who have just adopted a wild horse. In addition, we offer a free clinic every other month. The free clinics are on a first come, first serve basis.

"The problem we see is that many new adopters try to train a wild horse like they would a domestic horse. Coming to our class will help you learn simple and safe techniques that can encourage the new horse with kindness and gentling. I think you will find yourself filled with a wonderful feeling of satisfaction knowing you and your new wild horse will have a great life and lots of fun together."

"The Wild Horse Foundation takes the stand that America's wild horses have played an important role in American history," said Calhoun. "In the 1800's the number of these horses in America were estimated to be two million. Now, I am sad to say that there are only about 40,000 of them remaining. They deserve to be here.

"This can be done if people continue to support the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. This will only be achieved through education. We aim to be an integral part in that education.

"We are based solely on donations and need the public's support to keep it running. There is always a need for a foundation that cares for horses."

For more information on future National Wild Horse and Burro Expos, call 1-866-4-MUSTANG. For more information on the Wild Horse Foundation, call 1-866-943-6863 or 979-828-3927 or visit their website at: www.wildhorsefoundation.org.