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 facilitate their travels. Over time, 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 horses owned by ranchers and farmers who would end up breeding with mustangs and creating herds of these animals. In the 1800s, there were over 2 million feral horses that thrived in wild lands throughout the West, but unfortunately they were hunted for military use, pet food, and to prevent them from eating the food ranchers wanted for their own horses. and cattle. They were hunted to the point of near extinction and today less than 25,000 of them are still in the wild.
Because of this, in 1971, the United States government passed the Wild Horses and Burros Act in an effort to protect this endangered breed of horse. They later amended this law to allow rounding up mustangs 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 patience level? 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 him and that you have his 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 don’t 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 be a disservice to the mustang if it has an owner who doesn’t know what he’s 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 put a lot of effort into properly taming the horse and accustoming it to human interaction. Because of this, it will take a long time to prepare the “rider” horse. So if you are thinking of adopting a horse that 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 being captured is pregnant, so be prepared for this surprise, as well as the attitude that will accompany the pregnant mare.
Do you have the right knowledge and facilities to care for your injured or sick pet? These horses will be newly captured and therefore much more susceptible to previous illness or injury than captive-born horses. Therefore, it is imperative that you have medical knowledge in horse care, or have the ability to hire someone who does, to facilitate any unforeseen illness or injury that may arise.
These are just some of the disadvantages 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 without a doubt, these horses with proper training can exceed the expectations of even captive-bred horses. They are naturally strong, intelligent and boisterous and are to be admired for both their benefits and their imperfections. Not only will you make a friend when you adopt a wild mustang, but you’ll also help preserve a part of the Old West.