Deb Kastner here, talking about my May release from Harlequin Love Inspired, The Cowboy’s Twins. In it, the heroine, Faith Duggan, follows her dream of opening a mustang sanctuary. Luckily for her, hero Jax McKenna knows all about horses.
I was blessed in my research of the plight of wild mustangs because my sister Amy Viskocil actually runs a mustang sanctuary, Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary. So I thought rather than me sharing my interesting research on these amazing horses, I’d let Amy talk about her rescue. From the horse’s mouth, so to speak. So without further adieu, please welcome my sister Amy to the Inspy Blog.
There are more mustangs in holding pens today than in the wild. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) sites data claiming the land cannot support all the horses while casually ignoring the number of cattle and sheep in direct competition. They reduce the herd numbers to a “viable” size, while reducing the genetic viability to zero. And that’s when they don’t remove the herd altogether. Once in holding, these horses spend most of their lives in large dirt lots, most without any form of shelter or windbreak, 365 days a year.
Mustangs’ lives in the wild and initial their handling by the BLM has taught these magnificent horses that humans are a predator, and therefore a threat. They don’t give trust and respect easily.
When Happy Haven Farm & Sanctuary (HHFS) was first conceived, it was to be a live-in facility for troubled kids as an alternative to jail. The idea was to teach them honor and respect by having them gentle wild mustangs. Any unhandled horse is a challenge, but a wild mustang has no reason to trust you or to try to connect.
Much like troubled kids, these horses are judged by criteria that is based largely in myth. The horses are called “mutts, feral, worthless” and other breed owners snub their noses at them. Yes, they are wild, and yes they value their freedom, and no, gaining their trust doesn’t come easily. You have to earn it – by showing them you are worthy.
While an excellent idea that is in use at the prison in Canon City with adult inmates, before long, it became quite clear that the logistics of this grand design were out of reach. Oddly, it seemed no one would insure a program for troubled kids and wild horses! So the vision changed.
Still wanted to help troubled kids, still wanted to help mustangs. The ranch now helps ANYONE who has a need to find peace, healing and purpose. Our horses include over 13 different breeds – all rescued. The program expanded to include veterans and families, as well as a cadre of other animals–llamas, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, goats and even one very shy but playful pig.
Despite our growth, it is still our desire to teach as many people as we can about the amazing wild horses living in their backyard. Horses that are a huge part of our history and, I believe, a chapter that will be closed in my lifetime….forever. The reality is, many people don’t even realize there are still wild horses in the U.S. Those that do know are strongly divided in their loyalties. Those that want to preserve the horses; and ranchers, livestock owners, and the government who see the horses as a blight on the land and an inconvenience that needs to be moved. Unless more people become aware of what’s going on and how amazing these horses really are, they will become a part of our history that our grandkids will only read about.
Deb again! If this struck a chord with you, there are several ways you can help. HHFS is a non-profit and you can make a donation right on their website (which also suggests other ways to donate, such as Amazon Smile.) Better yet, you can sponsor the animal of your choice, from one of the wonderful mustangs to any of the animals HHFS hosts. I personally am the proud sponsor of Valentino the pig. Isn’t he cute?
Read all about Faith Duggan’s experience opening her own mustang rescue in Deb Kastner’s next book, The Cowboy’s Twins, a May release from Harlequin Love Inspired.
~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
Thanks for inviting Amy to visit with us, Deb. What a wonderful program she’s running. I agree, Valentino is adorable!
That is such a great program! And she has llamas, which makes me smile (my little family loves llamas, I’m not sure why, but we do.) Thanks for the unique and educational post!
Thanks for sharing and getting the word about animal rescue. There are several Hallmark movies that either deal with working with wild horses or horse rescue. Happy writing!
So happy to hear of your animal rescue program.. I got to see wild horses in Wyoming and they were exciting to see! Thanks for doing what you do..
When she was a small girl, my youngest daughter Katie watched The Emperor’s New Groove and fell in love with Kuzco (she still loves snark!) After that we went up to Estes Park every year for their llama festival. The stuffed animal she slept with was a small llama she named Brownie (for the color, not the dessert.) :)
How fascinating! We have some wild mustang herds in British Columbia, as well, but nowhere near where I live. So majestic. And what cool research for your books. :)
I love Kuzco! :)
What a nice blog post.
Wild mustang still roam in the Chuska mountains on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.
One of our llamas is named Pacha
Ironically, most people will argue those are not “mustangs ” they are “Rez horses.” This is the petty divisions that keep proponents of what horses form doing anything meaningful to help them. Terribly sad… :(
*wild horses
That is really interesting about becoming a haven for different animals and for people as well. I honestly can’t imagine doing it, but it is wonderful to know there are such caring people! I believe your sister and her husband will have a special reward in heaven for this loving service. After all, God made the animals, then He said they were “good”! I love animals, but don’t have the room to take them in as your family does! However, if I could afford it, I’d certainly have more dogs especially. They are my favorite!
I’m sure your new book is quite interesting! It would be a real privilege to read it. Thank you for sharing.
I’m proud of your efforts to help the wild mustangs. When I was young, I had a filly who was 1/2 mustang. I loved her, but I spoiled her. She was very hard to control, because I didn’t know how to train her. However, it didn’t matter to me because she was MY horse! I look forward to reading your new book.
Thank you, Amy for sharing about your rescue and the mustangs. Government bureaucracy is infuriating on so many levels.
I think the idea of troubled teens and mustangs together would be a wonderful! They have a TV show called “Pit Bulls and Parolees” (I don’t watch it, but have heard about it) where people in jail help train rescued pit bulls so they can be adopted out. It helps both the animals and the people! I think we can learn a lot from our animal friends :-)
Thanks for making me aware of something I wasn’t before, the plight of these beautiful mustangs!
Isn’t he, though? I have a thing for pigs. And funny story–we were given incorrect information and originally thought he was a she–Valentine.
Amy has one of the hardest but most fulfilling jobs there is. I post pictures of her animals on Facebook three or four times a week. If you aren’t already following, you can catch me at http://www.facebook.com/debkastner
I think it’s a great idea, too, and like to explore it in my novels. A couple of my books deal with helping troubled teens in a ranch environment–Redeeming the Rancher and The Cowboy’s Surprise Baby.
Thanks for sharing your story! I am a lover of animals!
That is absolutely amazing. Going to bookmark the site.