Dreams Come True at Meadowood

Halley Gould drove from Pittstown, N.J., to fulfill her dream. Ten years ago she'd heard about the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program, and decided then she'd one day adopt a Mustang. "I fell in love with the Mustang breed and became interested in gentling one of them," she said. Mustang is the breed name used for wild horses of the North American west.

Standing in front of the pen containing #1771, the gelding she'd chosen to adopt, Gould couldn't help smiling. "I chose this one based on his confirmation and personality," she said. "He's been moving around the enclosure generally interested in what's going on, and acting even tempered with the other horses."

Gould was one of about 20 people who adopted horses this weekend at BLM's  Meadowood Recreation Area. Rebecca Chase, a BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, said they placed 10 horses through Internet adoption, seven were adopted by individuals on Saturday, and five more were taken by trainers as part of the Trainer Incentive Program of the Mustang Heritage Foundation.

Kristen Kalstad was another adopter on Saturday. A former pilot with Continental Airlines, Kalstad first adopted a Mustang from BLM two years ago. "I'd never owned any animal but a dog," said Kalstad. "I knew that the wild horses existed, and I went to a BLM adoption in New Jersey to see them."  

Kalstad was soon to retire from Continental, and thought this might be a good time to fulfill her dream of owning a horse. "I met trainer Kristen Fontaine at the New Jersey adoption, and she helped me choose and start my first Mustang," said Kalstad. On Saturday, Kalstad again used Fontaine's guidance as she adopted her second Mustang, an 18 month-old-gelding born in Oregon.

Professional horse trainer Kristen Fontaine was at Meadowood as a volunteer. Several times on Friday and Saturday she demonstrated how to begin gentling and training a wild horse. "Everything a Mustang knows about people is a learned thing, unlike a domesticated horse, which has been around people all its life,"  she said.  With Fontaine was Just Burnin' Coal, a Mustang she'd adopted from BLM two years ago. "I want people to see what wonderful horses they are, and I want to promote them," she said.

Several others were on hand with their previously adopted horses, to talk with those considering adoption. Cheryl Glasker with Smoky and Emma Woehr with Native Nevada said they came to show people that the wild horses can be trained to go English. The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon had Wyatt and Lonesome on hand. These two Mustangs now serve at Arlington Cemetery funerals.

The horses and burros who were not adopted at Meadowood are on their way to the BLM's Piney Woods, MS, Holding Facility.  BLM's Rebecca Chase says they will rest there before being sent to another adoption.