Adopt a Mustang

marvel

Marvel, a perlino male, was the first Mesa Verde National Park Horse to be gently gathered in 2021. Marvel was forced from his band by his sire Maestro, the lead stallion. When he was gathered, Marvel was a lone, young bachelor who was quite friendly and curious. He was habituated and gentled in Dr. Barlow-Irick’s Mustang Camp program. A local, experienced horse lover adopted Marvel and trained him under saddle. His kid-friendly and charming demeanor makes Marvel a wonderful ambassador who represents NMACO at local events.

merlin

Merlin, also a perlino male with an easygoing disposition was gathered in 2022 and adopted as a companion to Marvel.  Merlin’s sire is Maestro.

waylon

MV Waylon, an adorable young bay male, was gathered in Mesa Verde National Park in September 2023.  Being gathered alongside MV Wren (bay mare) and MV Wizard (dunskin stud), it is believed that MV Wren and MV Wizard are his parents. While in holding in the park, MV Waylon displayed an almost immediate curiosity about people and a willingness to interact. NMACO-approved trainer Leila Thompson gentled and trained MV Waylon in basic skills to prepare him for adoption.

wicca

Wicca, a gorgeous black mare with a single white sock was gathered in Mesa Verde National Park in September 2023 with foal Willow by her side. She has a lovely wavy mane and a refined build. She is very personable, curious, and playful, and loves to move her feet and trot everywhere. She is an extrovert. Michele Bell, an NMACO-approved trainer gentled and started Wicca in the basics. She was available for adoption after her foal was weaned. 

Willow

Willow is an adorable dun filly that was gathered in September 2023. Willow is the foal to Wicca. She has her dam’s soulful eyes and her sire’s wonderful dun markings, including leg stripes! Willow is living in Mancos, Colorado. 

Windy

Windy, a gorgeous solid black mare was gathered in Mesa Verde National Park in September 2023. She had a foal (Wonder, colt) by her side and was pregnant when gathered. Windy’s grounded presence transmitted an air of self-confidence. Windy was the last from the 2023 gathering efforts to be held for adoption. In June 2024, due to complications in late-term pregnancy, sadly, Windy and her expected foal passed.

Wonder

Wonder was gathered in Mesa Verde National Park in September 2023 alongside his dam Windy (solid black mare). He remained with Windy until being weaned in Spring 2024. He is a stunning horse and living his best life with his adopter in Mancos, CO, alongside Willow.

Bailey

Bailey, likely born in 2016, is a stunning buckskin mare, and one of the loveliest movers that has come out of the Mesa Verde National Park.  Bailey was started on some of her basic skills by Stefanie Skidmore, but needed more time and attention to connect with people. Bailey was fortunate to be taken under the wing of Ellery, a wonderful young trainer who is naturally gifted in connecting with animals. Bailey is thriving in SW Colorado.

arboles

Estimated to have been born in 2018, Arboles is a beautiful and sweet buckskin mare. She was gathered from Mesa Verde National Park in Fall 2022, and originally gentled and started by Dr. Patricia Barlow-Irick of Mustang Camp in New Mexico.  MV Arboles had a spunky perlino colt (Rune, born in capture) in April 2023.  She is also the dam of Rico, also having been adopted. Arboles now calls the green pastures of Kentucky her home.

Juniper

Juniper was born in 2018 and gathered in 2022. Despite her imperfect conformation due to the obvious dip in her back, which she has had since birth, Juniper is a favorite with everyone who meets her! She is an incredibly loving mare with a heart of gold to match her beautiful buckskin color. Juniper was originally gentled and started by Dr. Patricia Barlow-Irick at Mustang Camp. She had been cleared for light riding by NMACO’s chiropractor and DVM. Juniper enjoyed additional training under NMACO-approved trainer Michele Bell for driving and light riding. She had a cute filly in July 2023 named Elm who was also adopted.

Elm

Elm is the foal of MV Juniper, and she was born domestically in July 2023. Elm’s first few weeks of life were rough, as she had to be supplemented with bottle-feeding until her dam’s milk supply caught up. She was nursed to health and grew into a healthy, curious, and super-friendly mare.  Elm was adopted by one of NMACO’s local volunteers who helped care for her during the first weeks of her life.

brave

Born in 2021, Brave is a handsome buckskin gelding with streaks of white shooting through his mane. He was initially gentled by NMACO-approved trainer Monique Wylde Williams. NMACO suspected that Brave was orphaned as a youngster while living in the Mesa Verde National Park, and during his training, it became clear that Brave needed more time in a herd to learn to be a horse before being asked to connect with people. Brave took some time fostering with wild horse advocate George Brauneis.  Among George’s mustangs at Eagles & Wild Horses Ranch in Eckert, Colorado, Brave became more grounded and made several horse friends. He was reunited with a friend Blanca from days in the Mesa Verde National Park for a short time while at George’s. When Brave returned to Southern Colorado, he became irresistible to a local trainer and her husband who adopted him.

Blanca

Blanca was born in 2021 and gathered in 2023. Stefanie Skidmore gentled and started her. One of the famous perlino mustangs from Mesa Verde National Park, Blanca was seen running wild in the park with Buckle and Baybird, and then later with her friend, Brave. She was born with a distinctive fold in her left ear. She is a sweet, gentle, and loving mare. After completing her training, she joined Brave in his adjustment to domestic life at Eagles & Wild Horses Ranch. Blanca’s adopted home is now in Maine.

rune

Born in a domestic setting in 2023, Rune is a rare Mesa Verde National Park perlino. His dam is Arboles and his sire is the majestic Maestro who was rehomed at sanctuary. Rune is quite a character who moves with precision and grace.  Rune was adopted by NMACO-approved Trainer, Monique Wylde Williams.  His half-brothers are Merlin and Marvel, both who were adopted.

buckle

Buckle is a big, young, unique, sooty buckskin gelding gathered in August 2023. He was born in 2021. Buckle was gentled and started by NMACO-approved trainer Monique Wylde Williams. He is a calm, quiet, observant and studious horse. He catches on quickly and takes everything in stride. An NMACO adopter provided Buckle with a home. He lives in Mancos with a view of his former Mesa Verde home.

baybird

Baybird was born in 2020. He is an engaging, personable, and powerful young gelding. He was gentled and started by Monique Wylde Williams. MV Baybird excelled in his training and was often disappointed when the training sessions ended. He was lovingly adopted locally by Michelle & Dr. Steve Peters.

Ballad

Born in 2021, Ballad is a Mesa Verde perlino who is calm and peace-filled. This mare is so grounded that it is hard to imagine that she was ever wild. This special horse lives in Ohio and has been gentled, started, and adopted by NMACO-approved trainer, Amanda Held. Ballad will serve the H.O.O.V.E.S. program for Veterans.