Cinder the Warm Springs Reservation Mare's Story:
It is not well known that in addition to mustangs harrassed & rounded up by the BLM and US Forest Service, all mustangs that find themselves on Reservations across the American West are periodically rounded up and taken directly to public auctions where most ship to slaughter plants in Mexico as typically most people don't want to buy an untouched wild horse.
Most rescues or sanctuaries pay no mind to these mustangs, for serveral reasons- First, they aren't usually photographed, cataloged, visited by tourists, or popular in any way. Second, it is rare to know when these round ups will occur unless you have inside information from within the Reservation. Third- some people dont believe these horses are true mustangs due to how the Reservation inhabitants turn out all horses together sometimes, which allows for interbreeding and mixing of many breeds. We don't discriminate, and believe that our beloved Reservation mustangs NEED LOTS of help! After all, the word mustang simply means "misfit"- and no matter the breeds mixed in these horses are descendants of those that have called the wild American West home for a very long time and they deserve a shot at a peaceful & free life as much as any BLM or USFS mustang!
Cinder was rounded up from the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. She was rescued by a woman who has rescued several reservation horses in the last two years. The plan was to train her and re-home her, but after a year of trying to work with her, Cinder simply wasn't letting go of her deeply ingrained fear of humans. She will not allow anyone to get close to her, and she panics and runs away. In the first pictures we received of her, you can clearly see how stressed she is even at the presence of a human just taking photos of her!
I was told that she was rounded up two times total, and the second time being the last. She was roped by the head and legs, stretched out so she could not fight back, and branded. This has resulted in a tweaked body that doesn't quite move correctly! This was yet another factor in the decision that she desperately needs a sanctuary home forever.
We made the trip to Oregon to pick up Cinder on the 15th of October 2023. Upon the morning of loading, I quickly realized tat whatever has happened in Cinders past- it was truly terrifyingly traumatic for her. She is one of the most terrified mustang we have ever picked up- the only one more scared of humans than Cinder was our dear Sage! We look forward to seeing Cinder realize that humans will no longer harrass or harm her.
Since arriving home, she has decompressed a LOT, made friends with a few of our other Oregon mares Dahlia, Lily, and especially Petunia, as well as another BLM Mustang mare Deni. Since she arrived I periodically sit with her while she eats, letting her know she is safe now and getting her used to humans. There is no need for her to be dangerously fearful! She now has more restful relaxed eyes and is coming out of her shell more and more every day!
Sponsorship Tiers:
Bronze Sponsorship: $15/mo
For the Horse: Some Monthly Hay Cost Covered
For the Sponsor: Mustang's Full Known History, Mailed Photos of Your Mustang (one time), and a Monthly Mustang Update
Silver Sponsorship: $30/mo
For the Horse: Some Monthly Hay Cost Covered
For the Sponsor: Mustang's Full Known History, Mailed Photos of Your Mustang (one time), and a Monthly Mustang Update
Gold Sponsorship: $75/mo
For the Horse: Half of the Monthly Hay Cost Covered
For the Sponsor: Official Certificate of Sponsorship, Mustang's Full Known History, Mailed Photos of Your Mustang (one time), a Monthly Mustang Update, a t-shirt (one time), Invites to Sponsor Only Events at the sanctuary to meet your mustang!
Platinum Sponsorship: $125/mo
For the Horse: Partial Monthly Hay Cost Covered
For the Sponsor: Official Certificate of Sponsorship, Mustang's Full Known History, Mailed Photos of Your Mustang (one time), a Monthly Mustang Update, a t-shirt (one time), a Mug with your Mustang on it (one time), invites to Sponsor Only Events at the sanctuary to meet your mustang!
Diamond Sponsorship: $200/mo
For the Horse: FULL Monthly Hay Cost Covered, Deworming, any Hoof Trims or Dental Work Needed
For the Sponsor: Official Certificate of Sponsorship, Mustang's Full Known History, Mailed Photos of Your Mustang (one time), a Monthly Mustang Update, a t-shirt (one time), a Mug with your Mustang on it (one time), Wall Canvas featuring your Mustang, Invites to Sponsor Only Events at the sanctuary to meet your mustang!
