Learn why you should or shouldn’t consider adopting a wild Mustang
When Spanish explorers of centuries past first came to the western half of the Americas in search of gold and other valuables, they brought horses with them to make their journeys easier. As time passed, some of the horses escaped and created a new breed of horse known as the wild mustang.
Over time, other Spanish horses would be released, as well as ranchers’ and farmers’ horses that would end up breeding with the mustangs and creating herds of these animals. In the 1800s, there were more than 2 million wild horses thriving in wild lands throughout the West, but unfortunately they were hunted for military use, pet food, and to keep them from eating the food ranchers wanted for their own horses. and cattle. They were hunted to the point of near extinction and fewer than 25,000 of them are still in the wild today.
Because of this, in 1971, the United States government passed the Free Wild Horses and Burros Act in an effort to protect this endangered breed of horse. They later amended this law to allow mustang rodeo and allow people to adopt a mustang as a pet. If you are interested in adopting a mustang as a pet, there are a few things to consider before deciding that a mustang is the right pet for you. Below are some of the pros and cons of adopting and caring for a wild mustang as a pet. You will notice that there are more and greater drawbacks to adapting this animal than with many others.
What is your level of patience? To properly care for a pet mustang, you’ll need to realize that up until now it was truly wild. Therefore, it will not be as easy to tame as a domesticated horse born in captivity. You will need to learn or already possess the necessary skills to convince the mustang that you will not hurt it and that you have its best interests in mind. If you have a lower tolerance threshold, you may want to adopt a younger mustang as it will be easier to train than an adult.
If you don’t already own a horse or at least have some knowledge of horses, you’ll need to think long and hard before adopting a mustang. Many people think they are helping when they adopt one without knowing much about horses. Next you will know the requirements to adopt a mustang. It would actually do a disservice to the mustang if it has an owner who doesn’t know what they’re getting into.
Do you have time to train the wild mustang? You must realize that there is a very small chance that you will be able to ride your mustang pet within the first year of adoption. You will have to work very hard to properly break your horse and get it used to human interaction. Because of this, it will take a long time to prepare the “rider” horse. So if you’re thinking of adopting a horse you can ride tomorrow, wild mustangs are not a good fit for you.
Are you ready for the surprise of a new foal? There is a chance that a wild mustang adopted less than 11 months after capture is pregnant, so be prepared for this surprise, as well as the attitude that will accompany the pregnant mare.
Do you have the proper knowledge and facilities to care for your injured or sick pet? These horses will be recently captured and therefore much more susceptible to previous illness or injury than horses born in captivity. Therefore, it is imperative that you have medical knowledge in caring for horses, or have the ability to hire someone who does, to ease any unforeseen illnesses or injuries that may arise.
These are just some of the downsides that come with adopting a mustang as a pet. Some of the advantages of adopting are that wild mustangs are a testament to the beauty of nature and these horses with proper training can certainly exceed the expectations of even captive bred horses. They are naturally strong, intelligent and boisterous and should be admired for both their benefits and their flaws. Not only will you gain a friend when you adopt a wild mustang, but you’ll also help preserve a part of the Old West.