Reno - Herd Leader
Some say the "U" at the end of his brand stands for "Unwanted," but here at Healing Pines, this small, quiet, and shy Mustang from Reno, Nevada, rules as the overall herd leader of all four bands of horses.
Passed over at least three times at government adoption events, Reno was declared Sale Authority and was available for immediate title (no longer the responsibility of the government) for $25. We are not sure of his history, but sometime after being purchased from the government, Reno found himself in a kill pen - sold to the kill buyer for pennies on the pound. Fortunately, Reno caught the eye of a rescuer, who "bailed" him from the kill lot and trained him to accept a rider.
Placed in an adoptive home where he was misunderstood, Reno shut down and once again found himself in danger of returning to the auction circuit, and ultimately back into the hands of the kill buyer. A rescue convinced his owner to turn him over rather than send him to auction, and we stepped up to foster him for the rescue.
Reno was given time and space to recover and reorient himself with the help of the Mustangs already here. One day, this shy, unassuming little horse took offense at the herd bully and battled him for respect - earning the respect of the entire herd at the time. Since then, Reno quietly leads the entire group. Over time, he has opened back up to humans and is a kind and gentle soul who shows his mischievous side now and again. Reno was officially adopted from the rescue and will remain here for life.
Zip - The Communicator
Zip was rounded up from the Cedar Mountains in Utah when he was 5 years old. He was placed on the Internet for adoption and was purchased for a young boy and shipped to the East Coast. Zip moved through several barns and then was sold to someone who was going to "train him and find him a good home". Instead, Zip found himself in a bucking string at a local rodeo. After a summer of rodeo, Zip was discovered by his original owner, who bought him back, then sent him to us, where he is guaranteed sanctuary for life.
Zip's time at the rodeo left him very traumatized and unsure of adult humans. He has bonded, however, to the then 11-year-old who started working with him, and they continue their relationship today.
Zip is the ultimate communicator for Mustangs in need of assistance. His quiet demeanor and innate ability to read and understand the inner turmoil of other horses have been instrumental in helping other traumatized Mustangs here at Healing Pines. We recently discovered his ability to communicate with sensitive souls does expand to children and adults with anxiety and trauma of their own.
Jack - The Wise One
Jack, a 2005 Mustang from Salt Wells Creek, Wyoming, was the original Mustang here at Healing Pines. Captured as a foal, Jack came east as a 2-year-old and was repossessed by U.S. Wild Horse and Burro 2 years later. We adopted Jack in 2010, and he was the start of our sanctuary.
Like most of the Salt Wells herd, Jack was black at birth and has lightened in color with each passing year. Jack has been saddle-trained but normally is not ridden. We are considering expanding his saddle training in the near future.
Jack is a quiet Mustang who observes everything and is a great protector of the herd - moving out to the front to check out predators and other potential threats. He is a gentle soul who connects with visitors in a calm, unassuming manner. In our Equine Assisted Learning classes, Jack is a strong and confident teacher, strict but honest, demanding good communication among his human teammates.
Arrow - The Unicorn
Arrow came east to be part of a team of matching white Mustang-driving horses. Fate stepped in, and Arrow came to Healing Pines as a private boarder. Arrow now has permanent sanctuary here. A rare Cremello with ice blue eyes, Arrow is a favorite of most visitors. Arrow has started to drift between the bands and is rising in rank. It is interesting to see him test and learn. He is a member of Jack's band, but he frequently accompanies Reno, herd leader. Arrow is often seen playing or sparring with most of the other Mustangs as well, especially Zip.
Arrow has started groundwork. He has been started under saddle, but is in no hurry to learn how to ride.
Comanche - The Cowboy
Comanche is a big, beefy Mustang from Coyote Lakes, Oregon. Comanche sports an additional brand on his left shoulder that appears to be from a cattle ranch. As we have gotten to know Comanche, he has shared with us that he, indeed, once was a working ranch horse - training that is strongly instilled in his wild heart. After making his way to the East Coast, we were told he was sent away to learn how to drive and returned traumatized. Working with him, we have begun to suspect he was involved in a driving accident that not only seriously injured him, but traumatized his psyche as well. We are slowly peeling away the layers of his past, addressing the issues as they surface and helping Comanche find peace and healing.
Comanche's past as a working horse has placed additional restrictions on his willingness to interact - no kisses on the nose, please; cowboys don't give kisses. However, once he bonds with a human, he works hard to reconnect and interact. He seems to have a fun personality when he trusts you enough to show it.
Buckwheat - The Instigator
Buckwheat arrived with his entire family at Healing Pines the day before a blizzard as an emergency placement. His human was gravely ill and unable to care for his herd. Buckwheat's mom and aunt were sent to a farm closer to the hospital, and we agreed to keep the Three Amigos here together. Buckwheat is half Mustang - his dad, George, is his constant companion.
Buckwheat, as a young gelding, needed time to learn to be a horse and function as a valued member of a herd (something he is still working on). His interactions with humans included a complete disregard for personal space - and his inquisitive mind makes focusing very difficult. Buckwheat has started groundwork to improve his manners, make him safe, and help him focus. He will be started under saddle.
Young, inquisitive, and full of energy - Buckwheat can always be found instigating fun and games - carrying large sticks in his mouth and sparring with his dad or brother, playing tug of war with the Jolly Ball or rubber feed buckets, and playing kick-the-can with plastic feed buckets.
George - The Handsome One
George, the father of both Clovis and Buckwheat, is the shiest of the Three-Amigo clan. Born to a mustang mother in holding, he is wild at heart. He works to gain humans' trust but remains wary. He knows deep down that no one is going to hurt him and that he is safe. But he is blocked by the fear of someone from his past. He is becoming friendlier by the day. But mostly, he stands vigilant in his tiny frame, as handsome as he is.
Clovis - The Understudy
Clovis, the third horse in the Three Amigos, is half-brother to Buckwheat and is usually found hanging out with his brother and George, his dad. Tall and gangly, Clovis has started ground work and recently has shown an interest in working in our equine-assisted learning class.
Falcon - The Spitfire
Falcon is a wild one among the group. He remains one of the most curious. Always looking around in search of treats. Smiling when someone comes near, in hopes that they will appreciate his tricks and give him an extra snack. Always keeping everyone on their toes, he hangs around. Never wanting to miss out on a good time.
Hailing from somewhere in the west, he used to be a ranch horse. You can tell by the brand he holds on his hip. He has a wild heart, much like his mustang counterparts. We believe he was born to a mustang mother and then used for ranch work. Now being in upstate New York, he still holds on to some of that western US attitude, in that he is scared of snakes... or anything that looks like one.
Falcon has shown great interest in having his own person, but seems to be lost in finding one. He looks for someone who resembles himself, shy in the first encounter, but a spitfire once you really get to know him.
Mouse - Lead Mare
One of two mares here, Mouse is an American Quarter Horse who has lived with Mustangs most of her life. Due to the loss of one of our band leaders, Mouse has assumed the role of lead mare and is trying to keep her band together. She has learned the ways of the lead mare from strong examples, but is still developing the maturity needed to fully rule the herd. She is accepted and protected as lead mare by Jack's band - but finds herself at odds with Buckwheat - who loves to chase her through the woods.
Mouse is strongly bonded to her human - they've been together since they were both four years old. She is saddle trained and has shown a penchant for working cattle. This talent translates itself into chasing dogs and coyotes out of the pens.
America - The Beautiful
America is the oldest on the farm. She is a Palomino mare somewhere in her mid 30's. Though she is getting up in age, she keeps her bold personality. She is beautiful, and she knows it. She doesn't let anyone, human, horse, or dog, tell her otherwise, and she is not against showing someone a piece of her mind.
She loves to be loved on and given all of the scratches. But be wary of the blue-eyed side. It's not as nice as the brown-eyed.
River - The Calm
River was brought as a companion horse after learning that he could not be ridden. He is a twin to Reno, the herd leader. He is a constant, calm presence, never participating in too much trouble.
Bo - The King
Bo was bought to be used as a camp horse for children, but after receiving him, we learned that he was going blind in one eye. This sudden vision loss was hard on him, and so we took him in so that he could learn his way around it. He has slowly begun to figure things out and learn his new way of life.
In the process of learning about him, we reached out to an animal communicator who said that he wasn't happy with his current name at the time, which was Quotev, and he wanted to be known as a King. He originally wanted to be called "Ivan the Great," But we were able to convince him to take the name Bocephus, Bo for short.