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Mustang Mission

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A Girl on a Mission to save Wild Horses

Written by: Erin Phillips

From my earliest remembrance, I have been enamored with horses. I was the typical horse-loving girl who was never satisfied with just the toys and figurines. When I was very young, my lifelong dream of owning a horse began to grow.

Mustang Mission

My family and I lived in a subdivision during my very early growing-up years, so there wasn’t a possibility of having a horse. My parents let me visit horses at every opportunity, and I was always thrilled to go with my older siblings to their riding lessons to watch and visit the lesson horses.

When I was nearly three, my parents decided that the Lipizzaner show coming to town would make a fabulous birthday present for me. At that time, Lipizzaners were my favorite horses. To say I was overjoyed would be an understatement! When the day finally came and we drove to the arena, I was surprised to see there was a large crowd waiting to see the Lipizzaners. I decided that everyone must have come to celebrate my birthday with me! For the next hour, I forgot everything in the bliss of watching the magnificent white stallions effortlessly perform some of the most difficult Grand Prix movements. Once it was over, I waved to all the people who had come to “my” Lipizzaner show as they exited.

Waving to everyone who came to the Lippizaner show.

My love for horses continued to grow with each encounter. A couple of years after the Lipizzaner show, my family and I moved to a small farmhouse on five acres. Would my dream begin to come true? I would walk throughout our property, envisioning a horse grazing on the lush grass. I continued to ask my parents if I could get one, but neither of them had much experience with horses and said “no”. After all, horses are large animals and a five-year-old girl is just a fraction of their size.

A quick, normal visit to our local library changed the course of my life. While browsing the shelves, I found a documentary showcasing a stunning palomino stallion on the cover. I excitedly read the title – it said “Cloud; Wild Stallion of the Rockies”. I had no idea that there were wild horses, but I thought that it must be very interesting. I hurried over to my dad, who agreed to take it home so we could watch it. I could hardly wait!

That documentary became my very favorite and began a lifelong infatuation with wild horses. I made a promise to myself, I would help the wild horses someday and give them homes. At the time, I couldn’t do anything for the wild horses, but I comforted myself, knowing that someday I would do all that I could.

Petting miniature horses while my siblings took riding lessons.

I decided to make getting a horse my number one prayer request. Every day, I begged God to help my parents to allow me to get a horse. One day, when I was seven years old, Dad told me that if I could find a miniature horse for $200, he would get it for me. I began eagerly searching for miniature horses in my free time. Other than the price, I had one specific requirement – I wanted a white one like the Lipizzaners.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take me very long to find a horse that nearly fit the requirement, so my dad was surprised to come home one day and find me very pleased with myself! I had discovered a little white colt, just five months old. The price was slightly more than Dad’s limit, but because I wanted the little colt so badly, he went to work negotiating and came out with a deal he couldn’t refuse.

During the days leading up to bringing my new little horse home, I tried to choose a name.  Nothing seemed to suit the tiny colt, and I realized I must wait until I saw him in person to choose. When we arrived at the miniature horse farm, I saw my mini for the first time and suddenly knew that he was a wild horse at heart. It took four people several minutes to catch him and he had an indomitable spirit. Suddenly, his name dawned on me – Cloud, after the wild stallion! What could better fit this spunky, sassy baby horse?

On our drive home, Cloud rode in the back of our van. A few hours into the trip, the driver behind us nearly slid off of the road when he saw a little horse’s face peering at him through the back window. Soon, I fell asleep, clutching Cloud’s lead rope. The day had proved to contain more excitement than I could handle.

One of the first pictures with my miniature horse foal, Cloud.

Throughout the next nine years, Cloud and I had many adventures together. We spent hours walking and riding on trails around our farm, worked through behavior issues, and survived the destruction of his shelter when a hurricane crashed through our area. I sought advice from professional horse trainers on Cloud’s frequent behavioral issues and was always met with the same sentence, “You have to show him that you’re the boss.” Sure, I could do that. He was so little that I could push him around if I wanted to, but I never had the type of relationship with him that would yield results. So results rarely happened.

The promise I had made as a five-year-old to the wild horses eventually became reality. In 2018, I began volunteering for The Cloud Foundation (an organization born from the Cloud documentaries). By the end of the year, I had become very involved in the advocacy world, writing my first article about wild horses for a magazine when I was 14.

Despite my success as a wild horse advocate, I knew that something needed to change in my relationship with my horse. I wasn’t happy, and neither was Cloud. During this time, my family and I moved to a place where I could own a mustang. If I was going to gentle and train a wild horse, I needed to figure out how to train well. In the Fall of 2019, I embarked on a quest to find horse trainers that had a much gentler approach. One day, I stumbled onto a website titled, “Mustang Maddy”. I was immediately intrigued and began reading all the posts and watching the videos. The knowledge I gained completely changed my life and the way I worked and communicated with my horses.

I began training Cloud every day using Liberty and Positive Reinforcement training. Cloud began to look forward to his time with me and gained many skills that he previously had no desire to learn.  Throughout my training with Cloud, Mustang Maddy’s team willingly answered any questions I had, giving me the tools I needed to be successful.

I finally felt like I could successfully gentle a wild horse! In 2020, the dream of starting a wild horse rescue was born. In 2021, it became a reality. I launched a website and named my rescue Mustang Mission.

Photographing wild horses in Montana.

In the fall of 2021, I took a leap of faith and committed to rescuing an older mustang gelding from the Bureau of Land Management’s online auction. I began fundraising and God made all the pieces fall into place. I named the handsome 15hh bay gelding Alamo. He had been a warrior in the wild but had been unable to win his last battle for freedom. Even though he could never be wild again, I could give him back a freedom that wild horses cherish the most – the freedom of choice.

I remember that day so well – February 25, 2022. The day Alamo stepped into my life. Two incredible people who had recently heard about my rescue volunteered to pick up Alamo from the BLM’s drop-off in Okeechobee, Florida. They pulled into our driveway at 4 pm and we immediately unloaded Alamo. Alamo calmly walked into the round pen and started a new life – and a new string of adventures for me!

Two days later, I woke up and looked out of my window at Alamo’s pen. He was not there! My eyes scanned the field – there he was, grazing with my miniature horse! I hurriedly dressed and ran outside, followed closely by my siblings. The field was not completely closed yet, so by the time we got out there, he was walking back into our woods. We spent the next few hours getting Alamo into an adjacent pen, then worked on raising the round pen panels so that he could not jump them again. Towards the end of the day, Alamo walked back into the gentling pen and stayed there! A few weeks later, he was gentle enough to move out into the field. What a relief!

Training an older mustang gelding (one who lived 11 years in the wild) is not for the faint of heart. However, Alamo has been one of my greatest teachers. I learned that connection is far, far greater than control. It is nearly impossible to control Alamo – he seems to grow hundreds of pounds larger when any effort is made to force him to do something. Several months after Alamo arrived at my rescue, he was not progressing well with pressure from a halter and spooking far too often. He was scared of going through gates and refused to leave his pen.

I decided to drop all ropes, just using a handheld target. It was the answer for Alamo! Within a few months, I was taking Alamo on walks all over our property, in and out of gates without a problem, and we had an unbelievable bond. The best part was knowing that he truly trusted me.

Riding Alamo

In June 2022, I heard about a mustang filly that was in a livestock sales pen (often the step before a kill pen). I decided to take yet another leap of faith and rescue her. The week of her rescue was fast-paced. She had only a few days before she shipped out of the facility. There were so many times when I was only able to save her because one little piece slipped into place. Several times I went ahead and took the next step to bring her to safety, even though I didn’t know how it was going to work out. Those were the moments when I really knew that it was God working to rescue Ember, not just me. So many people agreed to help me on very little notice and I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for them.

Ember was in Kentucky and a transporter took her to North Georgia, where we picked her up at an overnight resting stop. Everything was going smoothly, then when we were just two hours away from home, our car broke down. It was 9 pm, and we soon realized that we would just have to sleep on the side of the road. A police officer brought more water for Ember and she slept comfortably in the trailer through the night. She even got desensitized to traffic!

Although Ember had made me work hard to touch her for the first time, she proved to be very easy to train and quickly moved into domestic life. She loves walks around our property and that helped us grow a strong bond. Currently, she will follow me anywhere, making it unnecessary to use a halter and lead rope.

Alamo had some great milestones, too! He has not spooked since the day I began purely doing Liberty training with him. Now, he has gotten to the point where I have introduced leading with a halter and rope to him again, and he is excelling at it. We’ve begun riding work, completing Alamo’s first ride bridleless and bareback. I am amazed every day at the trainability of Alamo – as long as it is at his pace. He desperately wants to do everything I ask of him because he knows that he has a voice in the matter.

Some days I look back on my journey to this point and I’m so amazed that God has brought me to this place in my life. There have definitely been struggles and many times when I have felt inadequate to train my horses. I have sometimes questioned my sanity in starting a horse rescue off of so little support, but I have seen God provide time and time again, and I know that He will continue to do so.

I am excited to continue this journey of rescuing mustangs and I would love it if you would join in on the adventures! Recently, I co-rescued another mustang, but you’ll have to visit my website to learn more about him! There are so many other exciting things happening behind the scenes and I think that you’d love to follow along. Our mission is: To rescue mustangs and burros in bad, dangerous, and neglectful situations in an effort to preserve, protect, and acknowledge a national icon–and part of God’s creation–while educating the public on the plight of these animals. Mustang Mission will advocate for mustangs and burros in the wild and work with other organizations to keep them free.

Thank you so much for reading my story! I hope that it has made you want to go outside and spend some time with your horses and thank God for them!

Learn more about Erin or Mustang Mission

You can visit my rescue here: www.mustangmission.blogspot.com

You can get in touch with me at: [email protected]

Sign up to stay in the loop: https://mailchi.mp/a1f1b249498b/subscribe

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  1. The Backyard Horse Blog says

    June 9, 2023 at 8:49 am

    Love to see a young person get involved in improving the plight of wild horses and working with those who have lost their freedom! I also have an interest in wild horses and written about my experience with them on my blog at http://thebackyardhorseblog.com/2020/04/22/for-the-wild-ones/. I don’t have the skills to work with untrained mustangs myself, but I enjoy reading about folks, like you Erin, who do. I will subscribe to your email list so I can follow along.

    • Erin Phillips says

      July 5, 2023 at 11:49 pm

      Thank you so much for your encouraging and kind comment! I am checking your blog out right now!

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I feel so lucky to have this little mustang. 🤎 I feel so lucky to have this little mustang. 🤎

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Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior for each da Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior for each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19

So thankful God carries me and holds me. It's not just in hard moments it's not just when we repent. It's each and every day. Draw close to him today. He's closer than you think.
There is about a million blessings a day we can pr There is about a million blessings a day we can praise God for. Can I get a hallelujah 🙌 
God's goodness is everywhere!!! If you don't see it. Then be a blessing to someone today!! Can I get an amen? 🙏

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Cold weather keeping you out of the saddle? I got Cold weather keeping you out of the saddle? I got you covered! Check out the latest blog for some ideas for you and your horse to spend some much needed time together this winter! 

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I recently had the opportunity to listen to a prof I recently had the opportunity to listen to a professional horse trainer speak. At the end he opened it up for a Q&A. A few of the riders wondered how to ‘fix’ the problem of their horse taking off before they are fully mounted and ready. It’s a bad habit for a horse to have. Not to mention unsafe for the rider. But he had a great point, he said, “I’ve seen it happen with colts even after a few rides. No habit was formed they just want to take off.” The practical advice he gave was spot on. Suggesting they start over each time their horse takes a step before they are ready. And to also pause at the mounting block taking a few moments to just pet your horse. 
When reflecting later on about what he said my mind went to the Lord and how He asks us to wait. The Lord is ready to go with us, but we are trying to take off before He is ready. Therefore, He’s gives a, “whoa.” Putting a pause on our plans or making things a bit more difficult for us. 
For reasons only He can know does He ask us to wait. Maybe things haven’t fully aligned yet to accomplish His plan. Maybe He is growing our character. 
Just like the trainer said it’s in our nature to be in a hurry and ready to go. No one had to teach us to be this way. But rather, we must learn to wait. God always has something to teach us in the waiting period. 
I know He has great and wonderful things up ahead on the trail for us to see and do, but we must go when He is ready. Let us sit still for a minute while He pets on us and reassures us that everything is okay. 
He will let us know when the time is right. He will give the signal. But learn to wait. Take pleasure in it. By waiting we are doing God a great honor. We all want that horse that doesn’t take a step without the rider’s prompting. Let’s stand firm for the Lord. 
Scriptures in the comments...
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Meet Chico, the newest addition to our herd and fa Meet Chico, the newest addition to our herd and family. He is a 3 year old miniature horse. He is so well behaved for his age but still has lots to learn. Needless to say, we love him and so grateful God brought him into our life.  Excited for this new chapter.

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I was trying to roll the ball under him. Something I was trying to roll the ball under him. Something I do with my other horse, but Mathias being only 14 hands, it didn't quite fit. 
I work him completly at liberty. Therefore, he could've ran off. But instead he ran a short distance and turned and faced the ball and me again. Showing great bravery by standing his ground as the scary object continued to advance towards him.
It reminds me how God gives us free will. He wants us to willingly follow Him. Then when somethings scary happens in our life He asks us to look to Him and trust Him. So many people run away and miss out on God's best for them. 
What is the ball stuck under you? A cancer scare? A wayward child? Finacial debt? Whatever it is face it full on with the Lord. You have no spiritual armor on the backside. Stand therefore! Don't let it make you run too far from the Lord. He is there, full of compassion, ready to comfort you. 🤎
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I heard this recently, and I thought about the mos I heard this recently, and I thought about the most profound moments I’ve experienced in my life, and they aren’t the ones you typically celebrate, but they’ve been so profound that they will stick with me forever.

The day my daughter was born, she also died in my arms. I will remember and hold this moment forever in my heart. It was beautiful. It was painful. It was life changing.

Fast forward a week to the day of her funeral. I lay in bed crying out to God. How do I do this? I decided to put worship music on. I found myself with arms raised, worshiping God amidst the most painful time in my life. That moment, that feeling will remain with me the rest of my life. I was so grateful for the gift of having a beautiful baby girl. But was devastated at the loss of her. Pain and joy mingle in the strangest ways sometimes.

This moment on my horse I am wearing a skirt that has been worn by countless other women all over the world who have experienced such a loss. It is beautiful, but it represents pain and loss. But so much more than that. Though we have scars, we are fighting the good fight. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

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Sometimes I pray about something and doubt whether Sometimes I pray about something and doubt whether God will really come
through. But what if you changed the narrative? Instead of doubting, get excited about it!

God, I can’t wait to see how you are going to answer this!

Because the truth of the matter is God is in the business of answering prayers. He even delights in it.

I tell you what, pray, and keep praying because if God doesn’t answer right away, He is strengthening your faith muscle.

You can’t get in shape after one workout.

And there are some things in life that are simply worth praying over for years. Think eternally. Don’t pray for material wealth. Think about what
really lasts. This is the kind of currency God accepts at His bank. And those kinds of prayers earn high yield! Compounding for years to come.

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I feel called to share my faith and help others by I feel called to share my faith and help others by encouraging them.
I believe this platform can be used for good. To not just share highlights of our life, but connect and grow in God's word. 
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If you're wanting to buy a younger horse maybe che If you're wanting to buy a younger horse maybe check out these reasons why you should consider am older horse. Comment horse and I'll send you the link!
Great news!!! As some of you may know this little Great news!!! 
As some of you may know this little guy came up lame last fall. The diagnosis was an OCD lesion. Which I was told required surgery. Not being familiar with this condition I came across a supplement called OCD Pellets during my research. I decided to start him on that while we saved for the surgery. I began to notice improvement more and more. He wasn't limping at all anymore. I took him in Friday to have him x-rayed again and to my delight he showed 50% improvement in 3 months. 
He has been cleared for light groundwork. We will take him back in 3 or 4 months to see where we are again. 
I wanted to share this for several reasons. One it's awesome news. Second, to share the OCD pellets. I will leave a link for that at the bottom of this post. And lastly, to offer you the book I wrote to raise money for him absolutely free when you subscribe to my email list. Thanks be to God for answered prayers! 

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This is a fun exercise to work on drawing your hor This is a fun exercise to work on drawing your horse and pushing them away. Spacing the cones out far enough helped and so did my speed to the next cone. 

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About the Author

Hi, I'm Rachel. I am the creator of The Narrow Trail. I've been riding horses since before I could walk. I was the horse obsessed girl that just never grew out of it you could say. I'm like most people, my days are busy and filled with taking care of my kids, running a house, and running my own business, but I always find time to have fun with all- two-legged and four-legged alike. Welcome to my site! Read More…

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