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 ARRIVED December 2008, fostered, returned July 2011
ADOPTABILITY AVAILABLE!
SPONSORED BY needs a sponsor
BREED/AGE 13-yo (1998 approximate model) BLM branded solid bay mare, approx 14.2hh
(Want to see training videos? Only that one so far. Keep checking here and in Crosswinds facebook space linked as 'photos' above for future additions!

Overview: Skye is a strikingly beautiful mare. She is a BLM mustang, branded, out of Nevada. We cannot locate her history, so we do not know when or from what herd.

Skye was adopted thru BLM by a horsewoman who had never handled a wild horse. After a year, she asked us to train Skye, as she still was unable to touch her except briefly during feedings. As you can see in the photos linked above, after an hour we were able to stroke Skye's shoulder, and at the end of the first afternoon, Skye was allowing us to work toward haltering her.

Skye went back home with her owner, but each was leery of the other, and the relationship wasn't a good combination. Her owner donated her to CWER. We almost immediately had her go on foster with a wonderful horse owner, in December 2008, where Skye stayed until her owner's tragic terminal illness in spring 2011. She returned to CWER in July 2011.

We are now looking for a new home for Skye. She has gotten over being timid, and is ready to trust a new human. She would really benefit from having a single partner with an intermediate level rider that wanted to take the time to build that fierce loyalty bond for which Mustangs are so well known.
REPORT CARD:
Overall Health: A+ Skye has never had any known health issues.
Ground Manners: A- Skye leads with ease, ties well, and handles her front feet well. She remains mildly unsure about some types of attention and grooming, but LOVES her 'smile' trick shown in the photos, which is her icebreaker.
We have never tried to bathe or clip her.
Riding Skills: B


 Skye had 90 days professional riding training here in 2009. At that time, Skye would:
  • stands reasonably for saddling and mounting; remains mildly nervous when rider removes foot from stirrup to dismount.
  • walks off on a relaxed rein or with consistent contact
  • smoothly figure 8s at the walk and trot (our indoor dooes not allow enough space to figure-8 at the canter);
  • pivots on the forehand under saddle;
  • beginning learning to leg yield and bend to inside leg;
  • confident trot, both directions, only along the rail;
  • very nice balance at walk, trot; limited work at canter
  • halts on riders weight and voice at both gaits, even with no rein contact, unless scared
  • stands calmly on a relaxed rein
  • some canter work was done under saddle, but not extensive.
  • backs reasonably, straight, the length of the arena.
  • Has ridden in an indoor arena and outdoor arena, and works well in both arenas. She did basic outside-the-arena riding in our pasture and around the farm, but never hauled to another location.
During her time at foster, she had occasional rides in their indoor arena as time allowed, but it might be weeks or months between rides. She reverted to a more timid, unsure demeanor under saddle.
As time allows now that she is home, we will give her a riding refresher.

As of 9/2/11, Skye has completed her basic skills refresher at CWER. She will now...
  • stands calmly to mount, with and without handler at her head. No reaction whatsoever to stirrup motion during mounting/dismounting or ride whatsoever.
  • walks and trots easily both directions on loose rein or on soft contact.
  • smoothly figures 8s and serpentines in a fairly small space at walk/trot (inadequate space to figure-8 at canter)
  • pivots on the forehand reasonably well but is still working on balance here;
  • leg yields comfortably to both sides at walk, learning the structure at a trot;
  • confident walk/trot both directions on and off rail, wherever her ride places her, including in and around obstacles;
  • beginning canter work, both directions (see facebook video of first outdoor canter!). Still learning balance and needs some encouragement to continue forward. Transitions are exceptionally smooth.
  • Backs, including easy pivots and mild line corrections via leg input.
  • Ridden outdoors in large open fields without any fencing, without argument or concern at the wide open spaces. At her prior home she did some trail riding in heavy woods, but we do not have details.
  • SHE IS NOW 'TAKING CARE OF' her rider -- with an early intermediate rider, she is more cautious, requires extra input to be asked to trot and to hold a trot. Will easily handle soft contact, solid contact, or completely loose rein.
  • Easily handles no rein stops from all 3 gaits.
Ideal Career Skye is a very sweet mare who needs someone to trust and to ease her out of her shell the rest of the way.  Once she built a partnership, Skye would do well in a broad range of careers, from a simple at home riding partner and companion to thinking sports like competitive trail and similar. She would likely enjoy fun showing and particularly some of the gaming such as barrels or poles. She is unlikely to become a beginner's horse nor a 'husband horse' that would do fine even if left unridden for weeks at a time. As with most mustangs, if left unhandled for weeks at a time, she will retract and become more distant to people. She doesn't require daily handling by any means, but consistent work will encourage her to continue and expand her human bond.
Medical Care: C Wormer: B
Shots: B
Farrier: C. She remains nervous but managable for the farrier.
Dental: We've not yet had dental work done in 2011.
Stall manners: B Skye is VERY rarely still mildly timid in entering her stall. She stands calmly, waits to be fed, doesn't care if other horses come or go. She can be mildly timid to come to her door to exit to return to pasture for new people or during excitement. She is easily groomed and otherwise handled in her stall.
Trailering: B+ Skye was mildly nervous to load in July 2011, but travelled like a seasoned expert, and unloaded without any difficulty whatsoever. She has since loaded with ease.
Adoption terms: Skye is available to adopt as of 9/1/11, to an intermediate or above rider -- ideally an intermediate would be working with an instructor or trainer as hors and rider learn each other. As of 9/1/11, her adoption fee is $1,000. If desired, the adopter can choose to have CWER do another 45 days of riding training with her for a discounted rate of $500. (Note that Skye has already received more than 90 days professional training, valued at $1,500.)

For more information on our adoption terms, policies, payment terms, contract, and how the transfer of ownership works, please visit our adoption-QnA page.

HISTORY: 

  
July 11 Skye had to return from her long term foster, as her foster mom sadly passed away. Skye had done very well with her family there, mostly as a companion and friend due to Linda's health. Skye came home mildly nervous about the change and fairly distant.
Aug 11 Skye has made a very real human friend. A young volunteer who is in the area with family for a few weeks has done exceptionally well at communicating with Skye and making a connection. Skye and her friend figured out that Skye loves to 'smile' for a cookie, and that has helped become Skye's ice breaker.
Skye has started riding again and is doing exceptionally well!
Sep 11 skye is doing GREAT under saddle! We couldn't be more pleased. She is now 'taking care of' her riders other than her trainer, and is having successful indoor rides with very early intermediate riders. She is looking to please her trainer Mike and her new riders, and is slower and more cautious, more careful, with the others who ride with her.
Skye is also now riding outdoors! See facebook for photos and even a brief video at a canter outdoors with no fences!!!

Sponsorship:  Skye needs sponsorship! A sponsor will assist with her feed costs, or with vet bills if desired.

Bloodlines:  We do not know Skye's bloodlines or HMA data (herd area from BLM).