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NECK TAG Removal Day STORIES
Read through heartwarming tales from our mustang community about the day they were able to remove their horse or burro’s neck tag. As lovers of these amazing animals, we know how important and historic this day is. It’s often the turning point in the partnership to come and the moment when the possibilities are endless!
Alex Newberry
Since Alex saw his oldest sister compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover last year, he has thought about training his own mustang one day.
Since Alex saw his oldest sister compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover last year, he has thought about training his own mustang one day. When she decided to submit an application to compete again this year, he mentioned wanting to compete as well. Nervous about being too young to train a wild horse on his own, 9 year old Alex considered waiting another year or two. After talking with me (his mother), he decided he should give it a try. The long awaited pick up day came and when the yearlings were unloaded at the barn, reality set in; Alex had a big job ahead of him. Over the next few days, he fed and watered his colt, sat with him, talked to him, and before long, he was able to touch him! Alex removed the tag that day, overjoyed at his accomplishment. Over the past several months Alex and that colt have changed so much. I have seen my boy go from timid and afraid of getting hurt, to confident and seeking for ways to push himself and do hard things. I have seen that colt go from biting, striking, kicking, and bolting at the slightest discomfort to thinking, learning, and being patient and content. Tag removal day marked the beginning of that amazing transformation!
Kammy Popiwczak
At sixty years old with rheumatoid arthritis, I was talked into doing a mustang TIP Challenge.
At sixty years old with rheumatoid arthritis, I was talked into doing a mustang TIP Challenge. Crazy, right? I drew an amazing yearling filly that I named Dream Weaver. I removed her tag on the second day, as the first day we were traveling from MI to KY. Right away, I felt a connection growing. Life got in the way, illness happened, I was about to drop out of the Challenge. With only three weeks to go, I was convinced not to quit. Dream is so smart, she quickly caught on to everything, and was the best horse possible. We competed, and I could not believe we won 6th place overall out of 22!
Susie Bauman
I removed Gus’ tag six days after I picked him up.
I removed Gus’ tag six days after I picked him up. At this point he was halter broke, going over obstacles, lunging, backing and being the amazing horse he is. I finally came up with the perfect name for him, Augustus (a.k.a. Gus) and removed his tag. Gus has been a very special horse to train. He’s very near and dear to my family and friends and has a special place in all of our hearts. He was not the toughest horse I’ve trained but I learned a lot from him. Gus is an amazing example of how amazing the mustang breed is.
Natalie Fuller
It had been a dream of mine to gentle a mustang since I saw them at a local adoption event as a little kid, a dream I thought would never come true.
It had been a dream of mine to gentle a mustang since I saw them at a local adoption event as a little kid, a dream I thought would never come true. Last year, I decided to take a risk and compete in an Extreme Mustang Makeover. I got to choose my horse and I chose a 2-year-old from Antelope, NV, who managed to capture my heart before he was even loaded onto the trailer. Arrow let me remove his tag on the first day, a moment I will never forget. He’s always down for anything and has been a great ambassador for mustangs, doing liberty demos in front of crowds and making trips to school to educate about the breed. He is such a sweet, playful, smart, and affectionate horse who has completely changed my life and is always there when I need him.
Jaycee Saugstad
I had dreamed of training a wild mustang for a very long time.
I had dreamed of training a wild mustang for a very long time. When the time was right I applied for my first TIP Challenge. I had very little experience with green and unbroke horses so it was a big step for me. I live close to the holding facility the horses were at so I got to see the yearlings before choosing one. This little sorrel filly in the back who I had been looking at came up to the fence and put her nose right up to my cheek and gave me the sweetest look, and that’s when I knew she was the one. A month or so later we picked up my filly, now called Honey. I stepped into the round pen with her for the first time and I had no clue what I was doing. After working with her for a few minutes she let me start rubbing her neck and I removed the tag. She put her nose to my cheek again and it was such a cool first tag removal experience. Honey is truly something special and such a cool little horse. We ended up winning the youth division of the TIP Challenge, and she was incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better first wild mustang. She taught me so much, and I am still learning so much working with her. She is such a goofy baby full of personality.
Bobbi O’Daniel
It was on day two, I got up before work and went to work her.
It was on day two, I got up before work and went to work her. I had it in my mind to try to fix her halter as it was too low on the nose. She was iffy about her left side, so I just started to pet down her face. As I was petting, I would slowly move down more. I grabbed the neck tag and was just moving it to see how she would react. Small steps, and in just a few times of doing so, I was able to reach my other hand and untie it. After that, she learned I wasn’t going to eat her and I was able to get her halter adjusted. That day was also that day I named her: DG Raven (a.k.a. Raven)! She been the best ever!
Cara Shifflett
Vasher actually had his neck tag removed when I picked him up as they were taking all the neck tags off at the adoption event.
Vasher actually had his neck tag removed when I picked him up as they were taking all the neck tags off at the adoption event. But, we still had to build trust together and quickly because he had an awful wound just below his shoulder. He’s always been a curious fellow and, fortunately for both of us, he tolerated the only treatment I was able to give him at the time, which involved me putting warm water and iodine in an empty weed sprayer and trying to clean it from afar. It didn’t take long for me to be able to touch him and get ointment on it. The rest is history. He is the friendliest one in my herd, always looking for some attention and something new to learn.
Chloe Sullivan
May is a yearling from the Nevada Wild Horse Range.
May is a yearling from the Nevada Wild Horse Range. I was able to remove her tag off and put her halter on after 3 weeks of working with her. She was definitely a challenge to catch because of how smart she is! She was very matted and furry when we got her and her coat was such that we thought she was a curly horse! May is doing great now and I’m so happy I chose to adopt a wild mustang from the BLM. They truly are a fun experience and it’s crazy to see how a horse that’s never seen a human before becomes one of the best horses.
Leah Martin
Miss Catori came home March of 2021 for the Lexington, KY, Youth Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Miss Catori came home March of 2021 for the Lexington, KY, Youth Extreme Mustang Makeover. She was a small and timid yearling who quickly warmed up to domestic life. On day 1 she went from flighty and reactive to a calm and willing partner. Her tag was removed within half an hour. Catori was my first mustang and did a fantastic job introducing me to the breed. She showcased the true beauty, athleticism, and trainability of the American mustang. It’s safe to say I decided to provide a place in my heart and my home for this sweet filly. She’s now started under saddle and working towards becoming a working cow horse as well as compete at ranch and reining shows.
Rachel Alonzo
I got Ducky for the 2020 Sacramento TIP Challenge.
I got Ducky for the 2020 Sacramento TIP Challenge. She was tough to start for being a yearling and I thought I had bitten more than I could chew. It took a bit longer to remove her tag and she was very guarded. But one afternoon she finally let her walls down for a moment and I was able to remove her tag. I still remember it like yesterday because she is my heart horse and I kept her after the competition. We came 8th overall and I couldn’t have been prouder of her – she wasn’t easy! Now I can’t imagine my life without her!
Scout Murphy
I first learned kids could gentle mustangs when I watched an Extreme Mustang Makeover in Massachusetts when I was 8 years old.
I first learned kids could gentle mustangs when I watched an Extreme Mustang Makeover in Massachusetts when I was 8 years old. It became my dream. A dream I never gave up on. When I was 12, I had the opportunity to learn to gentle a mustang at liberty. The goal of the tag was not to focus on removing it. The goal was to build trust and remove it when all TIP requirements were met and trust had been established. Tuk Tuk had been born in the wild, gathered at 9 months old and then waited for me in the corrals for a year. He was untouched when we started on day 1. I removed his tag on day 14, four years after my dream was born. The feeling was indescribable happiness. One week later, he started traveling full-time with me and the rest of my herd. He loves his new herd and lifestyle, seeing America one trail at a time.
Samantha Patti
Rebel’s tag was already removed when I got him, but this boy has shown the true meaning of, “there is no trust like a mustang’s trust.”
Rebel’s tag was already removed when I got him, but this boy has shown the true meaning of, “there is no trust like a mustang’s trust.” I’m just 2 months into having him, and I’m sitting with him while he is napping.
Angel Lopez
I was inspired to get a mustang very early into my time with horses by the “Wild Horse, Wild Ride” documentary.
I was inspired to get a mustang very early into my time with horses by the “Wild Horse, Wild Ride” documentary. I knew the moment I watched it that I wanted to participate in that competition. I was lucky enough that the competition came to my state in 2016 and I picked up my yearling for the next 90 days. I remember the day I took off the tag vividly. I encouraged him to allow me to touch him with hay and gentle words before he stood next to me and allowed me to take the tag off. I was a kid from the city with a dream and he helped me fulfill that. It was such a moving moment that I knew I could never part with him. We performed at the Youth EMM and I took him home. He’s been with me ever since and is now the mascot for my very successful low-cost children’s lesson program. The program was even named after him and sports his image as the logo. Jasper was the first horse I ever trained, broke to ride, and started liberty work. He started my passion for these horses and we’ve taken over 10 horses out of holding since. He reminds me every day that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard enough.
Sheona Bierer
Odel was my first experience with a wild mustang.
Odel was my first experience with a wild mustang. I chose him to compete for the first time in a 100 day wild mustang makeover competition. I picked him up spring 2021 when he was around 2 years old.
On the second day of bringing him home, I was able to scratch him and that just melted him. He loved it so much, he started grooming me, too. Taking the tag off was such an amazing moment. I decided to keep him forever and he is the best horse I have ever owned.
Paula Fratazzi
Casper was one of those “oopsie” horses that I didn’t know I needed.
Casper was one of those “oopsie” horses that I didn’t know I needed. I took the risk in choosing him over another as my first mustang, and he’s been the best companion I could have ever asked for. He’s been everything a first mustang (childhood dream come true!) should be. When I first started working with him, he was friendly, but guarded and awfully defensive. He was afraid, as most mustangs are, and didn’t want to be touched.
The day I took his tag off, I hadn’t planned to do anything of the sort in that session. I had planned to get him more comfortable with me approaching, the tag came off as a second thing. When I took it off, he came back to sniff it as if to say, “Oh look! That smells like me!” In the weeks to follow, he’s become the squishiest little colt. He loves butt scratches and accepts just about anything I throw at him.
Glenda Velasco
We stayed at a hotel and got up early to go look at the weanlings being adopted.
We stayed at a hotel and got up early to go look at the weanlings being adopted. I had my then 10 year old daughter with my husband and I. We drove out to Palomino Valley and started looking at the babies. My daughter actually picked out Cobalt and I chose a strawberry roan filly. We filled out the paperwork and paid the fees once we were approved. They gathered both of them up and while in the chute they put halters with lead ropes on them and removed the tags. Cobalt was 5 months old and the filly (Strawberry Jewels) was 3 months old. They were loaded into the trailer and we brought them back to California. Unfortunately, I lost Strawberry Jewels to colic several years ago but Cobalt is still going strong. He went to be trained by Kitty Lawman in Oregon when he was about 4 years old and he has been the best horse, my daughter lost interest in her teens so he’s my horse now and we go on trail rides at least once a week.
Jaqueline Campbell
I taught myself in order to do all the training because owning and training a mustang has been my biggest dream in life.
My mustang was my first horse ever! I taught myself in order to do all the training because owning and training a mustang has been my biggest dream in life. Our tag removal happened two weeks after I brought my sweet mare home – on the day that she decided I was worth trusting. We had nose boops before, but no real pats, and that day she went from no pats to pats on her whole body! I removed the tag and told her that she was no longer 1120; her name was now Legend. The photo included is an amazing hug she gave me while I was removing her tag, and it mirrors our relationship so well. She would do anything for me, and I would do anything for her. She’s the best horse in the world and she takes care of me. She has given me so much confidence in myself and helped heal the emotional scars on my heart. I named her Legend because there’s a quote that says, “Behind every legend is an impossible dream.” She was my “impossible” dream! I grew up a city girl and lots of people told me I could never have a horse, let alone a mustang. Now, I want to work to become a TIP Trainer and help help other people have relationships with their mustangs.
Rick Pierson
From day 1, I have been a part of her gentling and training.
Russ Mayer, a TIP Trainer, who is a good riding buddy of mine and family friend, and I drove in my truck to the Ewing Corral on November 6th, 2021 and picked out this horse for me. From day 1, I have been a part of her gentling and training. On November 9th, I took the tag off and we continue to build a bond that is like no other. Over the spring and summer, she has become a decent little show horse and is turning into quite the proven trail horse. Trail horse will be her primary job in life, but new tasks get her head thinking and she learns them. I always tell her that hundreds of years of breeding got you here and God created you for this very thing. Every calling requires a few problems to deal with but we got this. I tell her she has nothing to fear because if it is hurts her I’ll hurt it. So far, I haven’t let her down and she continues to amaze me in her strength, courage and ruggedness. She might be our first mustang but not the last.
Mariah palomarez
Nevada was so stubborn, but she eventually gave in when she realized I had treats!
Nevada was so stubborn, but she eventually gave in when she realized I had treats! She was my first mustang and the easiest one I’ve worked with so far. I am so happy I have her and not sure where I would be without her!
Blair Lonneke
Kinzie was my first mustang and my draw for the 2018 Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Kinzie was my first mustang and my draw for the 2018 Extreme Mustang Makeover. The day I brought her home, I was able to remove her tag and it was the best feeling ever. I knew then that I wanted to devote my life to mustangs. Even now, over 50 neck tags later, Kinzie is still my greatest achievement!
Miriam Halbleib
My first time removing a tag from a mustang was about 5 months ago during my time training for the 2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover.
My first time removing a tag from a mustang was about 5 months ago during my time training for the 2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover. May was pretty scared for the first few hours after she got home but the next day she was more settled in. She wasn’t the most curious horse, but we got the job done and her tag was off within 2 days. Removing the tag was a super special moment for me; amazing and so rewarding! I personally think that mustangs are an amazing breed, and if you are ever thinking of adopting a mustang, DO IT!
Shelby Williams
The other two mustangs had already allowed their trainers to touch them, but mine still had no intentions of letting me get near her.
After the 3 hour haul home, we were finally able to unload the three mustangs we had just picked up. The other two mustangs had already allowed their trainers to touch them, but mine still had no intentions of letting me get near her. I would pick up the lead rope, walk to the corner of the pen, and she would turn her back to me and try to move away from my pressure. We did this for 3 days straight. Just when I was ready to take a break, she was ready to cooperate. I took my training stick and I begun to slowly bring it closer to her. I braced my arms into my side, preparing for the reaction that I expected. Instead, Tango shifted her weight back, but let the training stick touch her. I was genuinely surprised that she let me get even remotely near her. I ended the session on that note. The next day, I came back with a new thought about training instead of beating myself up like the previous day. I prepped her feed, dropped her hay, cleaned her pen, and then I was ready to begin the training session. I came into her pen with confidence. She swooned back into her corner. I picked up the lead rope. I braced for the reaction, but there wasn’t one. I crept my way closer to her. I began touching all around her face with the training stick; no reaction. I moved my hand closer to her face. She sling-shotted to the back of her pen and I was ready to give up again. I finished my feeding shift and came back to it. I did the routine – pick up the rope, brace for action, and use the training stick to touch around her face. Except this time there was no action to brace for as she showed signs of trusting me now. I reached closer to her, and she let me touch her. For anyone who has trained mustangs before, you know this is a truly emotional moment. Just feeling her soft, fuzzy face made me want to melt. I couldn’t drop my guard though, for she was still just four days out of holding. I pet all around her face, her nose, her perfect diamond shaped star, and near her neck. This was it, I was finally going to get the tag off. I put the lead rope in the crease of my elbow, and reached both of my hands towards her neck. I slowly thread the rope through the holes. Finally, we were there. There was a small slit in the rope so, when I finally got it through the hole, Tango threw her head up in the air and jumped backwards. That was it! I had done it! My first ever mustang who I thought I would have my trainer take her tag off, I had done it by myself. That was the moment that tag #4599 would never be just a number again.
Caitlyn McDaniel
I’m new to horses and, at 46, never thought I’d actually be able to start a horse, but then I met a lady named Ann who told me I could and, along with my very supportive barn family, I did just that.
I’m new to horses and, at 46, never thought I’d actually be able to start a horse, but then I met a lady named Ann who told me I could and, along with my very supportive barn family, I did just that.
We went to the adoption event in Corsicana on March 4, 2022, just to look and see what it was all about. At first I thought I wanted a pretty grey, or a flashy buckskin, but then I saw this little bay gelding. He was with several others in a pen and a very large gelding kept the bunch moving around the pen in frenetic bundle of nerves and fear, but not this little bay. He would simply move to the side when they came his way and quietly munch on his hay. I probably had 15 neck tag numbers on my card, but I kept going back to this little bay gelding. I talked to both of my mentors about him, one who was with me and one who wasn’t. They both encouraged me to go with what felt right. So I prayed! Right there in the middle of all those folks at that adoption event I went off by myself and prayed. I asked God to let me know if my horse was here, to lead guide and direct me. Then the bidding started. The pretty grey went for more than I could afford and so did the flashy buckskin. So, when they called #5539, I raised my card. No one else bid and the next thing I know, I’m the proud owner of this little bay gelding.
I got my first touches while he was in the chute to load on the trailer. He looked at me with his sweet soulful eyes and it’s almost like he said, “Okay, I’m going to trust you. Please don’t let me down.”
His name is Trou and he is one of the greatest blessings of my life. Since that day in March, I halter broke him, started ground work and started him under saddle. I have met amazing people through this process; the trainer who is working with him now, another who competed at RTTH, and even Mary Kitzmiller and her mustang Remington. Mary is part of where my interest and love of mustangs started. It has been an amazing journey and we’re just getting started! I love my Trou!
Gracie Alexander
By day two I had gained enough trust to remove her neck tag. I will never forget that moment!
After attending my first Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2018, I immediately knew it was something I could see myself competing in some day. In 2019 I got my chance at the Kentucky EMM. I picked up Phoebe in Tennessee. She was one of the smallest in the herd, and was super light in color (and now she’s super dark on her legs and has a sun stripe). By day two I had gained enough trust to remove her neck tag. I will never forget that moment! We had spent several long hours in the snow learning to trust each other. And when that neck tag came off it was just the beginning of our journey together. I have never had a bond with a horse like the one I have with Phoebe. We’ve both helped each other in so many ways. And I can say she’s definitely helped me better myself, too. Our bond is why I’ll forever be a part of the mustang family! I strongly believe that if you ever get the chance to give one of these beautiful and very intelligent horses a home, say yes and don’t think twice. They will truly change your life, and you’ll change theirs for the better.
Ethan Geiger
I wanted to give up. I remember I started to cry, but I took a moment and a huge, deep breath.
I got Ghost for the 2022 Wyoming TIP Challenge. She is a yearling and she was so scared when we got her home. I was also scared because, at 12, I’d never been so close to a wild mustang. The first few days we just hung out and I didn’t really try to touch her. I just wanted her to know she was safe. The third day my parents and I decided it was time, so we pushed her into a smaller area and around and around we went. Pretty soon, she wasn’t bolting past me, just walking. So I started moving closer and closer, still cautious of her reaction. After about 45 minutes, I was so frustrated and disappointed that I hadn’t gained her trust yet. I wanted to give up. I remember I started to cry, but I took a moment and a huge, deep breath. I needed to prove to Ghost that she could trust me. Mom and dad told me later that when I was calming down after having my moment of frustration, Ghost started dropping her head and relaxing as well. About 10 minutes after that, I got her neck tag off. I have never been so proud! It was in that moment Ghost became my best friend.
Jessica Farren
Have you ever had that that moment when you know someone special has come into your life? That is how I felt the first time I saw her – like she looked into my soul.
In 2017, I went with a friend to the Burns facility in Oregon to pick up her Extreme Mustang Makeover horse. We did the drive through tour and stopped at the first corral. As I was standing at the fence line, a beautiful gray horse captivated me. As corny as it sounds, have you ever had that that moment when you know someone special has come into your life? That is how I felt the first time I saw her – like she looked into my soul. After several weeks of thinking about her nonstop and gazing at the photos I took of her, with the help of my friend I was able to bring Liberty home. The first time I touched her was when she got off the trailer and I removed her tag on day 3. I would say more than the first touch, the moment I could bury my face in her coat and smell that wonderful horse smell was beyond amazing and something I still love doing. Over the last 5 years, our journey has been a wonderful and windy road, and although I do not ride her, we do some liberty work and quite a bit of of plain hanging out. Adopting Liberty changed my life in more ways than I can describe. Because of her, I decided to pursue equine photography on a professional level. I became connected to and have been photographing the Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth competition since 2017, and she inspired me to travel and photograph mustangs in the wild, in my free time.
She is my heart horse and my muse.
Hannah Black
Removing their tag is a special day, and to me it shows that they are starting their new life and are no longer just a tag number.
Peaches’ tag was removed on day 3 and Kiwi’s tag was removed day 8. Both horses were for youth Extreme Mustang Makeover competitions and hold a very special place in my heart! The bond you form with mustangs is truly one of a kind. Removing their tag is a special day, and to me it shows that they are starting their new life and are no longer just a tag number.
Grace Landwehr
I’ve always had horses, and it was my dream to train a wild mustang.
I’ve always had horses, and it was my dream to train a wild mustang. When I signed up and was chosen for the Extreme Mustang Makeover, Fort Worth in 2022, I was so excited. When I got Winnie, she was always super sweet. I was able to get her tag off in 2 hours of working with her. Once I got the tag off she lit up and seemed so happy. That was when she really started trusting me. I couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened if Winnie wasn’t selected for me.
MacKenzie Whitsell
Tora Ziyal was my second mustang, but the first one that came to me directly from the BLM so she was my first official tag removal.
Tora Ziyal was my second mustang, but the first one that came to me directly from the BLM so she was my first official tag removal. She was also a random draw for a TIP Challenge so I had no idea what I was getting until she hopped off the trailer. My first mustang took six months to get a halter on, but Ziyal trusted us completely from day one and we had her relaxed and haltered within twenty-four hours. I was absolutely shocked with how laid back she was. I sat with her for maybe an hour before she came up to me and touched her nose to my leg. From then on she was completely unbothered by humans. I took her tag off without incident with an audience of neighborhood kids climbing on her fence and then one of them came running up with a random (terribly fitting!) halter in hand and said “try it!! She’s so relaxed!!” So I shrugged and walked up to her and slid it right over her nose while she was eating hay and buckled it without her batting an eyelash. She’s the coolest horse I’ve ever met and completely fearless in every way. I always say she’s my rock because I’m such an anxious rider and she’s the one reassuring me that everything will be okay! I plan to spend the next thirty years going on adventures with my four legged best friend until we’re both old and gray!
Abbie Denton
Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted a horse of my own.
Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted a horse of my own. I took riding lessons for years and finally starting making enough money to care for a horse of my own. The EMM was something that had always caught my eye because of the transformations of so many mustangs I’d seen over social media. Athena was my first horse and I competed in the Ft. Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover. Taking her tag off was one of the most surreal moments of my life; never did I think that I would be taking the tag off my very own mustang. Now Athena is my forever horse and I love her so much!!
Karen Brock
My husband, Tom Brock, tolerated my horse habit, but he did like going to the Teen Makeovers in Washington.
My husband, Tom Brock, tolerated my horse habit, but he did like going to the Teen Makeovers in Washington. He also accompanied me to the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Nampa, Idaho and, the following year it was nearby in Monroe, Washington. We even made a trip to Fort Worth Mustang Magic in 2019. Later that year, he decided he was going to adopt his own mustang. We picked out weanling in October 2019 and brought him home. He was named Abraham after the profit in the Old Testament. He was a docile little gelding. The tag came off with no issue. My husband took him out and walked him each morning before work and loaded him in the trailer. Abraham grew and grew and grew and, when my husband lost his battle with cancer in May of 2021, he was over 2 years old. He is going to be 4 next spring and will have had a year running and growing on a mountain ranch in Eastern Washington. He has been colt started and ridden on trails over there. He is a great reminder to me that someone who never had a horse can bond and enjoy a mustang near the end of his life on earth.
Tina Caldwell
Yuma came to us as a five year old and had only been in captivity for about six months.
Yuma came to us as a five year old and had only been in captivity for about six months. He was very shy and definitely did not want to be touched. We did find out that he liked to be in small spaces and if you put him in a small space he would let you pet him and feed him cookies. Then slowly, he became more trusting outside the small space. He began to enjoy being scratched around the tag and I would actually lead him around by it, though I could not keep ahold of it long enough to get it off. I didn’t think I was going to get the tag off of and, one day, it was like something changed and he let me take it off. Now he is good with everyone and likes to be groomed and he loves people. He is a special guy.
Anne Gulbransen
A family friend encouraged me to get a wild mustang because he knew that I wanted to be a trainer and thought it would be a great experience for me.
A family friend encouraged me to get a wild mustang because he knew that I wanted to be a trainer and thought it would be a great experience for me. I had been riding and taking lessons for about 10 years and helping my trainer with her OTTBs but I had never started a horse from scratch and didn’t really know where to begin. I decided to start by sitting in my mare’s paddock with a bucket of grain until she came up to me to investigate. The day I got the tag off was actually the day of my high school’s homecoming dance but I was determined to get the tag off even if it meant missing the dance!
Emily Johnson
Twister was my second mustang that I had the opportunity of gentling for a program called Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth.
Twister was my second mustang that I had the opportunity of gentling for a program called Mustang Yearlings Washington Youth. The story of how I ended up with Twister has many bumps in the road! In 2017, it was the first year that we were allowed to choose our horses. I was lucky enough to have the first pick! On our long drive down to Burns, we came over the mountain pass, and our truck lost all control of power steering and power braking! Our truck’s belt had snapped and we were stranded on the pass overnight. I frantically contacted the program to see if I could choose my horse over the phone, and I did! I chose this beautiful grey gelding and took him home. After a couple weeks of working with him, I had to do a horse change, and the only horse left was Twister. At the time, he was a small, gangly, black long yearling. He was not my first, second, or even third choice. So we made another 3 hour drive to Oregon and 3 hours back to get Twister, and boy was he challenging! It took another long month to be able to really get hands on him. He was flighty and loved to snort. At this point, I was about a month and a half behind everyone else. It was hard watching others take their horses to shows, washing them, ponying them, etc. But I finally got the neck tag off at the halfway point in the competition! By the time the competition came, he was still so far behind other horses. I was the only one who could really touch him, he spooked or flinched at everyone who came near him. I thought it would be a disaster! Because of his distrust in others, I knew I would have a hard time selling him at the end. On the third and final day, I walk in the barn and see people sticking their hands in Twister’s stall. Oh no! As I jogged over, strangers were scratching behind his ears, he was licking people, and just loving the attention. If you had told me that this was a different horse than I brought to the Makeover three days before, I would have believed you! From that point, he is in anyone and everyone’s pocket. If he were a dog, he would be a Golden Retriever. He just loves people.
A few years later, when it was time to start him under saddle, he really made me work for it. I took the nastiest spill off of him, putting me in an ambulance and then to the hospital and then for 3 weeks of bed rest. I knew he was just immature and still trying to figure out the whole riding thing. But after that, riding him filled me with so much anxiety that I decided to give him to my mom, as her horse was starting her retirement. My mom has done a wonderful job with Twister, and he is now a confident and respectable boy under saddle. Going to college and having a full time job left me with no time for a horse for the last two years. With more time on my hands now, I started riding and hanging out with Twister again, and he made me realize all the wonderful reasons that I fell in love with him in the first place. This horse takes everything in stride, and has the silliest personality. Twister truly is a wonderful horse, and a perfect representation of how amazing Mustangs are.
Maddalena Hylton
On May 3rd, 2021, I was finally able to remove my first mustang’s neck tag after having her for five days.
On May 3rd, 2021, I was finally able to remove my first mustang’s neck tag after having her for five days. She let me touch her on day two, the reason why it took so long is because her the rope on her neck tag was so stiff I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me. I finally figured it out on day five and spent a good time scratching her all over her neck to give her even more confidence with my hands in that area. I was able to slip it off and just like that she was no longer a number – she was now called Lyra. We competed in the youth division of the 2021 Oklahoma EMM and she is my forever girl. Such a truly magnificent horse, and a wonderful testament to the mustang breed. I got so lucky with her, she was my leap of faith!
Molly Bordelon
Phoenix was my draw for the youth division of the 2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Phoenix was my draw for the youth division of the 2022 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover. At first glance, Phoenix doesn’t look like like much as a sorrel coming in at a whopping 13 hands, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything! I removed his tag on day two, and while he was a little wary of me, he was overall very trusting in the beginning. After working with him in a few small sessions, I managed to get a halter on. Following that I removed his tag, which I will forever keep! I was so happy and proud, not of myself, but of Phoenix. I am thankful everyday for drawing such a special horse. He has been a wonderful trick/liberty partner, and I plan to break him when he’s old enough. If you are on the fence about getting a mustang, just do it! The two mustangs we own are the sweetest, most trainable horses out there!
Maggie K
Korra was the only adult in her holding pen that was not extremely skittish of us walking on the outside.
Korra was the only adult in her holding pen that was not extremely skittish of us walking on the outside. We picked her out and loaded her up, and when we unloaded, she learned how to lead proficiently in just 5 minutes! The next couple days were rough because I could do anything I wanted with her…except touch her. We found out on day 4, that she had a traumatic injury to her knee when she was in holding, which would make her unrideable, but her temperament alone was enough to get her a great home. She was in holding for 3 years, which we assume was because of the injury. It took 7 days of building up trust just to be able to touch her for a millisecond. 30 minutes into a session on day 7, something randomly just clicked in her brain and she let me touch her out of nowhere. Not only her face, but EVERYWHERE. I removed her tag and her journey started. Within 1 week, she was TIP trained. Within 1 month, she was being turned out, going on trails and walking over anything I walked over. Within 2 months, she could ground drive, self-halter, bow, etc.! Now, in her new home, she’s bringing joy to many people, and is even growing a fan club. To this day, I have no clue what clicked so randomly to create such a trusting and calm partner.
Sofia Egan
I got Caspian for the 2021 Teens and Oregon Mustangs Challenge.
I got Caspian for the 2021 Teens and Oregon Mustangs Challenge and I was not able to touch him for the first week. All I wanted to do the first time he let me get that close was to take his halter and rope off as he had started to get sores from it rubbing so much on his nose. On the 8th morning, I went out to feed and clean his paddock. He came up to me and I was able to remove both his tag and the halter.
Hannah Eddy
I adopted Cassy as a yearling in 2015 for my first Extreme Mustang Makeover at 15 years old where we won 3rd place.
I adopted Cassy as a yearling in 2015 for my first Extreme Mustang Makeover at 15 years old where we won 3rd place. She was actually the first horse I ever had, as well, and I didn’t know what I had until she was on the trailer. After looking through all the pictures of the horses that were in the pool to draw from she was actually on the bottom of my list. Once she was home, I had her tag off on day one. That’s about the only thing she ever made easy! It was an uphill battle but we were doing it together. I was learning how to train horses and she was learning as well. She is what started my passion for training horses and everything I have done after that has been because of her. We have been fortunate enough to be invited for several years in a row to carry a flag in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade to help support mustangs. We’ve been to countless competitions and she won me my first buckle. She is my best friend and will be with me until the end of her life.
Samantha Nicks
Long story short, at 48 I decided to try my hand at a 100 day challenge.
Long story short, at 48 I decided to try my hand at a 100 day challenge. This was my first time ever showing a horse, and the original horse I picked did not work out unfortunately. So, we drove 17 hours to pick up Huckleberry Finn, my second pick, and got first touches while in the trailer. Once home, on the second day I was able to remove his tag. I knew he was special that very day. He continued to impress me and took everything in stride. We took an 800 mile trip just 60 days into his training and visited some great horse trainers to help get us over the little things. He did so well! We finished our competition in 5th place overall, took 2nd place in two events. This horse will take his last breath on my place, as he is a one in a million kind of horse. Mustangs are awesome.
Jessica Shively
After retraining numerous mustangs, I, too, dreamed the dream many have of slipping off that neck tag charm.
After retraining numerous mustangs, I, too, dreamed the dream many have of slipping off that neck tag charm. Fast forward a few years, I received my approval as a TIP Trainer through the BLM and MHF. Last minute, I made my way to a Storefront. The environment was inviting and friendly as I stepped out of my truck into the ungentled mustang world. Much like how my fresh boots hit the sand in the desert of Iraq, I was nervous and excited. After getting home and settled, the next morning, 8313, approached me, and came close for the overwhelming first tag off feeling. She’s strong and courageous and her name is now Valor. She’s now a horse I ride and participates in a mustang and veteran program: Operation No Longer a Number. Valor has a way to grow courage in folks regardless of desert conditions.
Grace Isakson
I was picking out my yearling for the 2021 OKC Extreme Mustang Makeover in April of 2021.
I was picking out my yearling for the 2021 OKC Extreme Mustang Makeover in April of 2021. This was going to be my first ever mustang. I had wanted a mustang to train ever since attending an EMM in 2014 and seeing the wild horses for adoption there. Seven years later, I was finally able to adopt. I was lucky enough to be one of the first in line to pick and a little roan filly caught my eye in the pens. She wasn’t tall, but she was calmly watching everything going on around her, ignoring her friends as they pushed each other around. And her ears were the absolute best. All of the horse’s neck tags were removed before they were loaded, but I was able to take mine as a keepsake. I opted not to have a halter put on and we headed home to Texas. By that afternoon, she was named Khalalia, or Khali. I didn’t have a neck tag removal as a milestone, but the first touch two days later was made no less special because of it. Khali finished 13th out of 27 amazing competitors at the show (even with me bugling my trail pattern) and I couldn’t have been more proud. The training process had been difficult. Khali was a certain kind of horse with a pretty big streak of personality and sass. It had nothing to do with the fact she was a mustang – it was just her. She stretched my skills and patience to the end again and again. But, for everything she was determined to misbehave in, there was something else that made me see just how amazing my little horse was, and how lucky I was to have her. It rained so much that summer, too, and Khali trooped through it with me. Every difficult moment has been enlightening and forced me to grow as a person and a trainer and I am so grateful. Khali is the best little horse with her giant personality and is pretty much game for anything. We’ve since attended various events, including the 2022 Deep in the Heart of Texas Open Show in Fort Worth. We had a blast there. She is my best friend and the best choice I’ve ever made. If you think you want a mustang, know your skill level and choose accordingly (or learn more!), and go for it!! It will be the best experience of your life!
Kayla Perdue
As soon as we had our first hand-to-nose touch, Fiora was hungry for more.
Fiora was my Illinois TIP Challenge mare. Our story is unique and special which made the neck tag removal even more special. As soon as we had our first hand-to-nose touch, Fiora was hungry for more. She is a curious mare and loved playing games in our training. Once we got our first touch, I knew it wouldn’t be much longer before we got the tag off. I worked with my trainer, Garrett Shanks, for 30 minutes that day working the tag off of her. When I finally removed it, I started tearing up as I knew she was no longer just a number. After our session, I cried in my car because I was overwhelmed with joy. Ever since that day she progressed quickly and is my forever horse.
Sarah Brillhart
Taking the tag off of a horse I had put my blood, sweat, and tears into was a magical feeling I’ll never forget.
For several years, I dreamt of adopting my first mustang and, in 2021, I made the leap and decided to bid on a seven-year-old gelding from Antelope Valley during an internet auction. I named him Moose and immediately fell in love with him and started dreaming about the coveted day when I would get to remove his tag. Pick-up day finally arrived, and I knew that although I had my work cut out for me, he was something special. We spent hours together every day. Sometimes just hanging out and sometimes working towards accepting human contact and domestic horse life. He is a sensitive guy and made me work for his trust and even try out some new training methods like positive reinforcement. The positive reinforcement finally “clicked,” and the special day came 72 days after picking him up. Taking the tag off of a horse I had put my blood, sweat, and tears into was a magical feeling I’ll never forget.
Brooke Miller
The feeling of tag removal is the most emotional moment of gentling mustangs for me.
I acquired my first mustang 14 years ago as a teenager. Because of Haze, I was introduced to TIP where I was privileged to become an approved TIP trainer. I’ve taken many tags off since then and the feeling of tag removal is the most emotional moment of gentling mustangs for me. The moment they trust me to be close enough in calmness to remove the number and give them a name is the beginning of finding their dignity in domestic life. From there it’s building their confidence, finding friendship in man, trusting our guidance, and finding peace with their past to look to a future with humans. I cherish every mustang, big or small, fierce or calm, and every one that I find a good home for leaves behind a neck tag that I look back to and remember them for the connection and friendship they gave me. I’m blessed to be privileged enough to touch wild horses and they teach me to be a better person everyday.
Mikaela Rubenstein
It took 2 ½ weeks before my 1 year old filly trusted me enough to let me take her tag off.
It took 2 ½ weeks before my 1 year old filly trusted me enough to let me take her tag off. At first she would not let me touch her or even get near her. She did not trust people at all. So I spent every day with her and she slowly started letting me feed her hay by hand. While I would feed her, I would try and touch her. At first I just tried to touch her neck and even that was too much. She would back away and not come near me, so we would start again the next day. Over time, she became comfortable with me and eventually allowed me to pet her. Once I could touch her head, I knew she was ready for the tag to come off. She was no longer a wild horse from Nevada, but my very own mustang. After I removed the tag, she allowed me to put a halter on and since then we learned to jump cross rails, walk on tarps and bridges and we placed 9th overall in the Maryland TIP Challenge. I am so proud of my mustang and how far she has come since she stepped off that trailer 5 months ago. The day that I got her tag off was the best day ever and right then I knew that she was special and our journey was going to be magical. That is why I named her Spellbound.
Emily Ogan
But, little did I know, Ringo would be everything I needed to regain my confidence and reignite my passion for training these amazing horses.
I adopted Ringo in the summer of 2022 after being in a bad mustang related accident only a few months prior (a freak accident involving a TIP horse I was gentling). Needless to say I was a bit hesitant to get back in the pen with a mustang. But, little did I know, Ringo would be everything I needed to regain my confidence and reignite my passion for training these amazing horses. From the moment I saw his soft, kind eyes, I knew he was special and, when he walked off the trailer, those feelings where confirmed. On day one, I removed his tag and only 4 days later we shared our first ride. Ringo has since become my go to horse for riding, helping start other horses, giving lessons ect. He’s my most reliable horse and my best friend. I am so thankful I stepped away from my doubts and brought him home. Had I not I would have never met my sweet Ringo.
Abigail Kelly
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to train a mustang and I finally got that chance with the SoCal TIP Challenge!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to train a mustang and I finally got that chance with the SoCal TIP Challenge! February 12, 2022 I picked up my first mustang, a yearling filly from Devils Garden. I’ve been around horses my entire life, but this was the first horse I was training completely my way. The day I picked her up I was full of nerves and wondered what I was getting myself into, but as soon as she was loaded into the trailer it was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I knew everything was going to be okay. On February 14, Valentine’s Day, I “finally” got her tag off. The moment I had dreamed about for years was finally real! To top it off, not even a minute later, a rainbow appeared right above her stall. It took another two days to get her halter on, but after that everything came easy to us! She has become one of the smartest, best, most well minded horses I have ever worked with. We ended up winning reserve champion at the TIP challenge! I know that is just the beginning of our journey, and I can’t wait to see what else we can accomplish together!
Alexa Wurszt
I got Ellie when I sold my Quarter Horse gelding and was talked into doing a mustang challenge in Massachusetts.
I got Ellie when I sold my Quarter Horse gelding and was talked into doing a mustang challenge in Massachusetts. I did want another horse but didn’t know what path to take. So, I agreed to the challenge and got this little, 1-year-old, bay mustang. We trained for 100 days, then competed and placed third overall. From then on, we’ve been doing great, and have been training in reining, ranch, versatility, and liberty. We are part of the WHBA (Wild Horse & Burro Association) and have been showing with them for 4 years, teaching people what a mustang can do and how willing they are.
Zachary Iosim
Her kind eyes and radiant soul spoke to me, and I knew that we would accomplish amazing things together.
Pippy Longstocking was my mustang for the 2021 New Jersey Extreme Mustang Makeover. I was only able to choose her out of a catalog of photos, but I knew immediately that she was my golden princess. Since the day I met her, she was always more than just #5626 to me. Her kind eyes and radiant soul spoke to me, and I knew that we would accomplish amazing things together. The only thing left to make it official was removing her neck tag! I was able to take the tag off on day 3, and have had it hanging on my rear view mirror as a reminder of the day our journey together truly began. Since the makeover, Pippy and I have gone on many adventures together, and our bond has grown stronger by the day. Pippy has been in extensive liberty and performance training with me, and hopefully one day will become the next best liberty and trick horse! I want our story, along with the thousands of other amazing mustang stories, to serve as a reminder that mustangs are capable of anything!
Lara Croft
Navy was my draw for a 100 day TIP Challenge and I couldn’t have been more blessed.
In my years of training mustangs, I’ve never had such a friendly horse from the start. Navy was my draw for a 100 day TIP Challenge and I couldn’t have been more blessed. After a 4 hour trailer ride home, I expected this 2-year-old mare to be acting up like a typical mustang but, after 10 minutes of her being in the round pen, she was walking up to the the fence asking for love and that’s when are journey began.
Nicole Algien
I entered into the 2012 Extreme Mustang Makeover with mustang #8383.
I entered into the 2012 Extreme Mustang Makeover with mustang #8383. His neck tag was already removed upon pick-up, but it was tucked into his folder with all the information on this incredible adventure I was beginning. It took me a month and a half to even touch this stubborn little horse, and before getting my hands on him, I almost gave up because I didn’t think I was experienced enough, and I was worried I wasn’t going to set him up with a bright future. I felt he was untouchable, and possibly dangerous to bring to the adoption event. I had some help from a friend who was savvy with a rope, and the rest was history. We went to the competition, and I ended up adopting him back. Milo is the biggest lapdog, so smart and reliable, and has truly changed my perspective on horse training and the mustang. I’m grateful for him and the Mustang Heritage Foundation everyday.
Heather Vance
In May of 2022 I picked up this little horse, little did I know he was going to change my life.
In May of 2022 I picked up this little horse, little did I know he was going to change my life.
Having never worked with a mustang before (but it always being my dream), I followed so many mustang pages. One day his ad came across my feed. After looking at his scraggly adoption photo for nearly a month, I finally convinced my parents to let me get him and compete in the youth division of the 2022 Montana Mustang Challenge. We barely made the application deadline. Pick-up day came and I decided to name this ragged little yearling Koda. On the first day, I got his tag off, and I knew he was going to be something special. We spent 100 days working hard, gaining trust and learning together. When it came time for the competition I was a nervous wreck. But I did it. I have EXTREME social anxiety, but this little horse was by my side the whole weekend, reminding me of why we were there. We completed our handling and conditioning class, as well as the trail class, in the morning. And after lunch, I tamped down the nerves and led him into the arena for our freestyle. This was what I was most nervous for. But the second I stepped into the arena with this little yearling from Four Mile, ID, all the nerves went away, and all that was going through my brain was happiness. Our freestyle was pretty much a 3 minute long session of me and Koda goofing off together and laughing. It wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. It was better.
Later that afternoon after all the freestyles were done (and MAN, we watched some good ones!), it was time for awards. Surprisingly, the nerves were (mostly) gone. We ended up placing 2nd overall in youth, but that didn’t matter to me. Although I was extremely grateful for the placing and the awards, I was more so proud of myself for getting over my nerves and showing my little horse off with all the hard work we’ve done together.
One of my prizes was a photo shoot with an amazing photographer. I was ecstatic to win this, as I’ve NEVER had professional photos taken of me or my horses. And having these photos taken truly represented how much hard work and time I had put into this little yearling. I got the photos back today and they had me bawling. This horse kickstarted my career with mustangs (I’m still young and have gentled 3 mustangs now), showed me what true horsemanship was, and taught me what hard work and perseverance are. He will never know how much he means to me, but I plan to show him every day how much I love him.
Erin Phillips
Ember was in Kentucky and I needed to figure out how to get her out without being there and have her transported to my pickup location in North Georgia.
One day in late May, I heard about a little, untouched mustang mare that was going to be shipped to slaughter in a few days. I knew that I had to act quickly, but I didn’t know how everything could or would work out. I just had to save her!
Ember was in Kentucky and I needed to figure out how to get her out without being there and have her transported to my pickup location in North Georgia. I began contacting TIP trainers near the kill pen and one trainer stepped up to help. Another TIP trainer agreed to let her stop at their place overnight in North Georgia so that I could pick her up the day after. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the mustang community. The TIP trainers are amazing! Ember was still completely wild and helping her wasn’t the easiest thing! Each of the trainers helped everything go very smoothly and were so generous.
Towards the end of our five-hour drive from North Georgia to my mustang rescue, Mustang Mission, near Savannah, Georgia, our car broke down. It was 9pm and there was no way to repair it and get home. So, we slept on the side of the road and Ember settled down in the trailer. Although I would never have chosen that situation, something good did come out of it – Ember is completely desensitized to traffic. Sixteen-wheelers were flying by the entire night. Thankfully, God kept us safe!
After getting the car fixed the next morning, we headed home. Everyone was relieved to be back! Ember jumped off of the trailer and stretched her legs. I let her settle in that day, but the next morning I began gentling her. She had had a hectic two weeks on and off five different trailers, being passed around, and then spending a night in a trailer on the side of a road. She was so concerned about me yet wanted someone to trust. After taking two days to touch her, she realized everything was okay, she became very easy to train. Within a week she moved to a new pen and began enjoying walks around our property. She was very skinny when she arrived, but enjoyed food right away and gained a good amount of weight quickly. She also had issues with food aggression and biting but was quick to understand that those behaviors were not acceptable!
Today, Ember is the first horse to greet any visitors. She loves people and lives to be cuddled. She is wonderful with children and is extremely talented. Ember showed me that it is SO worth it to save a kill pen horse. It was a lot of work and a lot of money, but she has been worth every bit of it and I believe every horse in kill pens are too. Who would have known that the skinny, dirty, defeated-looking mare in the Kentucky kill pen would turn out to be such a talented and fun little horse? I’m glad I looked past what I could see and believed in her potential.