Background Statement
Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group was formed in 2018 by two members of the Fort Collins, Colorado community: a well-respected horse trainer and a board-certified veterinary surgeon and has become nationally known for accomplishments in the mustang advocacy world in a relatively short time. Our hope is to change the story of American mustangs in the West by providing training, increasing adoptions, and growing demand for these amazing horses. Currently, there is a nationwide population estimate of over 70,000 Wild Horses and Burros on US public lands. There are nearly the same number that have been removed and now living in holding pens, with their care supported primarily by taxpayers' dollars.
Wild Rose's "gentling" process focuses on providing a safe place for mustangs, who have been removed from their home on the open range, and are learning to adjust to their new domestic life. Horses in the program typically spend from two to six months in training. Our professional trainers and volunteers work with each horse, and it is perhaps one of the most remarkable life experiences to be witness to a fearful prey animal become a trusting companion.
Wild Rose's main training program fosters mustangs, covering board, farrier and veterinary needs, while trainers and advanced volunteers build trust and advance training until adoption. While there are programs that support mustang gentling, there is an enormous gap between a gentled and fully trained horse. Training allows Wild Rose to vastly increase the adoptability of mustangs by making them accessible to people who would otherwise not be able to take an untrained horse.
Additionally, Wild Rose runs a youth training program pairing young horses with young people, to cultivate confidence, self-esteem, and discipline in adolescents.
Wild Rose has helped Mustangs of every age from foals and yearlings to adults and senior (10+ years of age) horses. So far, Wild Rose has successfully re-homed over 70 horses. Wild Rose's Board of Directors is 100% volunteer, with additional volunteers assisting with horse care, administration, fundraising and social media.