Training a wild horse takes a combination of skill, patience and luck

The wild mustang trots quietly around the pen. At a barely perceptible cue, she stops and turns to face horse trainer Laureen Sutton.

"This is a very sensible mare," says Sutton of Ashland.

Applegate resident Lori Thomson watches the interaction closely from outside the pen. Thomson is hoping the young mare — adopted through the Bureau of Land Management at the Jackson County Harvest Fair earlier this month — will become her steady mount.

The pairing will be a second chance for Thomson and for the mare, Juniper.

Juniper’s first adoption to another woman last February was unsuccessful. The woman returned Juniper before the BLM’s one-year probationary adoption period ended "for personal reasons," says Kimberly Hackett, BLM district rangeland management specialist.

Advertisement

Of the "10 to 20 horses" adopted in the Medford area this past year, four more horses also were relinquished, says Hackett.

"A lot of people have a romantic idea of wild horses," says Sutton. "What they need is a fair amount of horse savvy."

Small, sturdy and sure-footed, mustangs are sensitive and highly intelligent herd animals, Sutton says, adding she has adopted two BLM mustangs herself.

"I hate the fact they have to come off the range," says Sutton. "But I give these guys as good a start as I can. Because that’s what has to happen."

All wild horses initially fear humans as predators, Sutton says. "Breaking" a horse with heavy-handed training tactics may create dominance, but Sutton prefers a "gentling" approach, she says.

"The wild horses come in with a total herd mentality," says Sutton. "They’re looking to re-establish that link. And they’re just ecstatic when they get it."

Wild horses are generally devoid of the weaknesses and neuroses which can plague overly domesticated breeds, Sutton says.

Thomson is glad Juniper hasn’t been trained into any bad habits. Her attempt to make a reliable saddle horse out of a foal she hand-raised was unsuccessful, she says.

"He’s totally spoiled," says Thomson. "He’s all over me."

Juniper came from the Steens Herd Management Area in Eastern Oregon. The area’s horses were rounded up in October 2004. Of 647 gathered, between 159 and 304 horses were re-released, says Hackett.

At the wild horse corals in Burns, the Steens horses were herded into squeeze chutes to be aged, vaccinated and freeze branded. After wintering with 200 to 500 other wild horses in multi-acre corrals, the 4-year-old mare was deemed fit for adoption and sent to Roseburg.

"Some go back, some get adopted," says Sutton.

Sutton’s clear understanding of centuries-old herd dynamics allows her to assume the behaviors of a herd’s lead equine. She uses her posture and energy to drive Juniper away from her — then invite her in. By mimicking familiar dominance hierarchies, Sutton’s actions both command and reassure the mare.

"This horse will walk, trot, canter and turn because we are speaking the same language," says Sutton.

Thomson’s task will be to learn that language. Entering Juniper’s pen for the first time, Thomson is concerned.

"I’m worried about what I’m doing," says Thomson. "I’m worried about what message I’m sending."

Juniper’s attention splits — her ears flick towards Sutton as she keeps a wary eye on the stranger, Thomson.

Thomson slowly approaches, reaching a tentative hand to stroke the white star on Juniper’s forehead. The mare cautiously accepts her caress. Thomson smiles. Both heave big sighs.

She and Juniper will continue working with Sutton, Thomson says.

"I made sure I had support before I actually agreed to take (Juniper)," says Thomson. "Somebody to help me work with her so her experience is as positive as possible."

A look at wild horses

The wild herds are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Oregon BLM Wild Horse and Burro Population Data lists current totals at 2,655 in 21 separate herd-management areas throughout the state.

Because of the pressures of population, limited rangelands and politics, a percentage of these horses gathered every year by the BLM, taken to holding facilities and made available for adoption.

Since the beginning of the BLM’s Adopt-A-Horse program in 1973, nearly 200,000 wild horses have been adopted into private homes.

For information about wild horse adoption, contact the BLM at www.doi.gov/horse/. Ashland horse trainer Laureen Sutton can be reached at 482-0547 or laureenstutton@earthlink.net

Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail sspecht@mailtribune.com.