“Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what's missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we're here.”

— Trisha McCagh

Why Mustangs?

American Mustangs and Burros are unbranded, unclaimed, free roaming Equines found on public lands across 10 western states. They are mostly descendants of animals that were released or escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, the U.S. Calvary and Native Americans. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service manage the wild horses/burros in 177 Herd Management Areas (HMA’s). When the number of animals in an HMA exceeds the capacity the habitat can support, the BLM must gather the excess animals or use birth control measures. Without the management and natural predators, wild horse herds can double in size in just 4-5 years and quickly outgrow the ability of the land to support them.

Animals that are gathered are taken to one of several off-range corrals, where they are fed, and receive veterinary and farrier care and then are available for adoption.

As of 12/2017, there are more than 46,000 Mustangs and Burros in BLM off-range facilities. In 2016, more than $50 million was spent on their care. The BLM actively seeks placement of the Mustangs and Burros in good homes through sales and adoptions, but it is not something that many people are aware of. Though they are cared for in the off-range corrals, this really is no life for these majestic animals that once roamed free.

We at Mending Strides Ranch seek to provide a forever home to the animals we adopt and to bring awareness to their situation. We feel that Mustangs and Burros bring something special to therapeutic sessions for trauma survivors because of their keen survival instincts.

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