RIVER
“Let wild be wild”
River is a very special Mustang, wild in his soul. Captured in 2006 as a colt, steel grey with an extraordinary tangled and long grey mane, he was branded and became 'property', and was adopted out by the BLM* two years later. River had a few owners over the next several years, none able to tame him, and was abandoned at a boarding barn, where he cleared fences and jumped through windows to try and find freedom. The folks who found themselves owners in 2013 reached out for help and of course Rosemary Farm agreed to welcome him.
River knows 'how' to wear a halter and tack, but is very clear that he does not want to do so, he wants to be the wild Mustang he was born to be. And at The Sanctuary he is allowed to do just that. Handled enough for care, otherwise River is allowed to live his life running the mountains owned by The Sanctuary (yes, within fencing!) River has lightened, as grays generally do, and is a very pale shade of beauty now, healthy and strong, and as free as possible. River has a few mares, and is most often with Piper, or one of the other mustangs at The Sanctuary. Mustangs tend to be 'safe' and will not hurt humans if they have any other choice, but have a strong flight instinct, and just want to get away. River has the strength to be a herd leader, but his fear of humans prevents it, as our herd leaders need to speak 'human' as well as horse. Visitors can usually pick him out during visits, and he is a beautiful to see.
The cause of the wild mustang is near and dear to Rosemary Farm, but being located in the Northeast, the mustangs that are generally in need here have already been through several owners and have 'failed' at the tasks people hoped they would accomplish. This creates extra challenges to keep them safe.
Just love and admire him for living his wild Mustang truth – Sponsor River today!
River is:
• a pale gray branded American Mustang gelding, freezemark number 06247310
• welcomed to The Sanctuary in November 2013, a member of the 10 Year Club
• a member of The Mockingjays herd
• a permanent herd member, seeking Sponsorship
• fun fact; can jump anything. Anything.
*BLM, the Bureau of Land Management, is the federal organization that oversees the wild Mustangs that belong to all US citizens. Deemed a national treasure in 1971, Mustangs have found themselves being dangerously depleted as they are rounded up off federal lands, and moved to large holding facilities, with a dubious future, all at the hands of the very organization charged with overseeing them.