Zapata's Story:
Zapata's stroy, written by his previous owner:
Zapata is an eight year old Mustang gelding. He was captured near Fish Creek, Nevada in September 2019. In November 2021, Zapata was adopted and rehomed to Oklahoma where he was used to work cattle on a hobby ranch. In anticipation of a difficult winter, Zapata was placed on consignment in July 2023. I purchased Zapata in August 2023 and moved him to Trenton, Texas.
I was trail riding in South Dakota when I decided I was ready to buy a new trail horse. Knowing I wanted a Mustang, a friend of mine showed me a brand new sale posting for a black Mustang listed with a well respected horse trainer she knew. I had an appointment to meet Zapata before I was even out of South Dakota.
Zapata aka “Zap” is a little fella with a big personality and I absolutely fell in love with him from the get go. Zap didn’t pass his first Pre Purchase Examination due to minor soreness. I was going to have to pass on him. I didn’t want to but already had a horse at home with wellness issues that I could no longer ride. Wanting the horse, I pushed forward and got him chiropractic care which ultimately led to Zap passing his second PPE. Despite being drawn to and sold on him, I had underlying doubts about him being what was I looking for in a trail horse. But, I had to have him and couldn’t stand the thought of him having a job that he wasn’t physically built for (working cattle).
I thought he could have a good life with me. Due to my career, I’m a weekend warrior at best when it comes to riding. I do however spend as much time as possible with him every day. I really just knew that with me he’d never be abused or over used and I wanted that life for him. Zapata has what I would consider a higher than average survival instinct. Despite being doted on, he’s never quite settled in. He is, in most cases, cooperative and agreeable but he’s become unpredictable under saddle which leads me to believe he’s unhappy. He trusts me to a point, tolerates my mom, and avoids everyone else. He actually does this really cute thing when he feels uncertain of a situation. He nestles his nose into the back of my arm when he’s nervous. I’ve determined he either needs a full time job or needs to be returned to his natural way of life. I really want the later for him.
