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I'm blessed to work with, grow, gentle and train these amazing horses called wild horses and burros. Whether its handling, haltering, starting under saddle or tuning them up here's just a handful plus some that I've been blessed to meet throughout the years. These mustangs have come from all over the west; Black Mountain HMA, ID, Onaqui Mountain HMA, UT, Antelope Valley HMA, NV, Antelope HMA, NV, Diamond HMA, NV, Green Mountain HMA, WY, Wilson Creek HMA, NV, Centennial HMA, CA, North Stillwater HMA, NV, just to name a few.
"I come from the lost and the unwanted, runaways and throwaways. My parents are rebels, my brothers are strays. We are the ones with bone as strong as steel, hoof as thick as rock, hide tough as armor with hearts of mighty warriors. we have been called thieves and broomtails, but we have grown to be many and we have grown to be smart. We know how to jump and cut and gallop all day. We have no pedigree or registration papers. we have been called worthless, but someday they will know that we are priceless." - Unknown I have been blessed to work and ride many mustangs and this isn't even all of them. I am blessed to advocate and train these beautiful animals, these wild horses. When many fear their full potential, I pray that I do my best to confidently and safely grow them and learn from them. May they keep me safe and I keep them wild. Meet QuesoWhile there are wild horses, there are also wild burros (spanish word for donkey) run across the western lands. Wild burros were first introduced to the Desert Southwest by the Spanish in the 1500s, donkeys are not native to North America. “Wild” burros have been here since the late 1600s in the several states like Arizona and California. The burros that are roaming wild are the decedents of burros that were used for mining and later released. Or in some circumstances, outliving their humans and making their own way. Wild donkeys, once gentled and trained are extremely personable, loving, and honest. Queso is a wild burro that was rounded up from Centennial HMA in California. I picked him up at an adoption event to gentle and train. Queso is the true definition of a sweet, long eared donkey. Enjoy some pictures of Queso ''the burro-ito'' through his gentling and training process. Along with his ''domestic'' life here at the farm with his donkey buddy, Chipotle, his favorite goat, Ace, and some others. Meet ValorValor is a sweet, sassy, courageous mare that I picked up in Georgia at an adoption event. Valor was a long yearly at the time of pick up. She was rounded up from Antelope Valley HMA, Nevada. This HMA is located approximately 52 miles south of Wells. The highest point is High Peak Mountain at 9,258 feet in elevation and the lowest points are found in the valley bottoms and ranges around 5,000 feet. The area consists of 496,356 acres of BLM land and 6,553 acres of a mix of private and other public lands for a total of 502,909 acres. The wild horses in the Antelope Valley HMA are descendants from horses used by homesteaders, ranchers and miners. There is some evidence the Army Remount Service was active in at least part of the area during the early 1900‘s to the early 1940‘s. The dominant colors are bay, sorrel, black, brown, buckskin, gray and dun. An incentive was in place to adopt some of these wild horses and show at a later date in a Trainer Incentive Program Mustang Challenge. I had four months to gentle, train, and get this filly moving nicely in hand, no riding as she was under two years old. We placed ninth overall out of over 100+ participants, not too shabby for our first show. After the show, we made our way back home for rest and continued training. When Valor was three, that's when she was mature enough to undergo saddle training. While training is a never-ending process, she's a great horse with whoever handles her and wonderful addition to our herd. 'Livin' in the Bullseye' AKA BullseyeMeet Bullseye Bullseye is a wild mustang gelding that was born in Black Mountain HMA, Idaho. This handsome gelding was born on the range in June 2023. Throughout the years, his herd has been heavily documented by some amazing photographers (and still are). These fine folks were able to document that Betty birthed Bullseye June 3, 2023. This has given me much insight on Bullseye's sire and dam, along with other members of his herd. Bullseye was dubbed the range name 'Dolphin' due to a dolphin shaped white mark above his left shoulder. Bullseye's mom, Betty, and his dad, Excalibur, were also catalogued often on the range. Enjoy a little trip through moments of him as a foal, driving cross country from eastern NC to Idaho to pick up Bullseye, visiting the HMA, walking down Lava Rock Road where Bullseye was born, to now creeping up on his 3rd birthday! The trip was worth every single mile and a walk down memory lane. Jessica was born in Mountain Home, Idaho. When her dad used to take her fishing as a little girl, she would see the Challis wild horses roam along the Salmon River, dreaming one day to own a painted wild horse that lived along the route. While this little gelding isn't a Challis, Black Mountain was the better, best end of the deal, especially after meeting him. He will have your heart at the first nicker. Dreams Can Come True (an adoption story) – Wild Horse Education Let's take a minute and shine the spotlight on a few of our 'wild' horses here at Trail of Faith Farms!! Did you know that wild horses are equines that once roamed government lands out west? Wild horses can be found in 10 western states: Nevada California Utah Oregon Arizona Wyoming Colorado Idaho Montana New Mexico Nevada hosts the largest portion of the mustang population. These animals are protected on over 175 herd management areas (HMAs) covering 25.6 million acres. Nevada has close to 83 HMA's allowing a total number of 12,811 animals. New Mexico has 2 HMA's with a total number of 83 animals. Montana/Dakota's having 1 HMA and a maximum number of 120 animals. Idaho has 6 HMA's, allowing a total number of 617 animals. Most were born on these public lands, and some were born in government holding. Roundups are necessary to monitor the number of horses in each herd management area, so they don't grow to excess numbers leading to desolate lands and overgrazing. Herd Management | Bureau of Land Management Several of our mustangs were actually documented in the wild! Meet Genesis Genesis is a wild mustang mare that was born in Onaqui Mountain HMA, Utah. This beautiful black mare was born on the range in April of 2020. Throughout the years, her herd has been heavily documented by the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation (and still is). This has given me much insight on her sire and dam. Genesis was dubbed the range name 'Mud' as shortly after her birth a photographer captured some breathtaking photos of her taking a mud bath. Enjoy a little trip through time from foal pictures to know creeping up on her 6th birthday. About the Herd Catalogue – Onaqui Catalogue Foundation Hanky Panky, Hankster, steady eddy, ropin' buddy, cow biter, kid packer, the best teacher...... and many more favorable nicknames come to mind. May 16, 2002- November 20, 2025 Hank was donated to our lesson program years ago by a wonderful family who didn't want to see potential go to waste sitting in the pasture. Hank was an unconfident mount, seldom was present, shut down, and spooky making him challenging to handle. Hank had some other quirks as he was started young, 'rode hard and put up wet'. Trail of Faith Farms took the necessary time for a 90 day tune up just in time to be tested in our youth horse summer camp. This was the first time Hank's eyes lit up to perform, have fun, and take care of each of his riders. Hank has been such a blessing throughout the years in our lesson programs; whether it's a therapeutic session, working cattle, or taking care of his rider at a show. Hank was not only deeply loved by us but all those who met him. Hank taught many children and adults the love of horses. I'm blessed to have had this beautiful horse apart of our herd. He will be greatly missed, but I know the Lord has a special place for Him in his army. For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 1 Corinthians 9:17 'Glory' ❤️❤️❤️ Rest in peace, my beautiful red dragon November 2003- May 2025 Freeze brand: #****2573 Born in holding: Teterville West, Granola Prep Facility, Kansas, HMA unknown Glory was a rescue, taken in by Pasture Pals ER in 2012. She was roughly 750 pounds when Alex and her team seized her. She was extremely beaten up and had many battle scars to date. She was burnt with cigarettes and beaten with a chain, and tied to a tree like a dog. A halter had grown into her face. She had overgrown hooves, lacked all basic care, food, water, and was so emaciated the mare's pregnancy was a surprise the following spring. Fast forward several years, an opportunity to adopt this mare was presented to Trail of Faith Farms. We of course jumped all in to see if she was a good fit for our program. Glory was perfect! So we signed the papers bringing her to here new home at TOFF. Glory was then retrained and integrated into our veteran program, 'Operation No Longer a Number.' Glory was a vital asset in healing many veterans and their family members. Her testimony spoke volumes as many could relate to her past. She broke down walls in therapeutic sessions with just a flick of an ear and a sash of her tail. Glory was once disregarded, thrown away like trash, and left tethered to a tree in the wilderness. But God! He provided the right people to rehab her and give her purpose. She beat all odds and I'm blessed to have been a part of her journey. Glory taught many people, to include my husband and myself, to love big, be soft in correction, be assertive with kindness, let HIS light shine before men, and stay humble while maintaining a student frame of mind. I will be forever grateful for the privilege and honor to have steward this fiery, sassy mare until her final breath. ---Jessica Shively ❤️👑🐴 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 If you wish to donate towards Glory's end of life vet care; ie with our regular vet and NC State, click the link below. We also hope to raise funding for her cremation. https://www.venmo.com/u/TrailofFaithFarmsCo 📣📣Horse Spotlight! 📣📣 Meet Sugarfoot, the 'no eyed' pony Sugarfoot beat all odds of a deathly diagnosis of EPM. After birth he got an infection in both eyes leading to total blindness. TOFF diligently worked with the vet to get Sugarfoot healthy and ready for a double enucleation, that finally happened fall 2024. Now he is healthy, happy, and thriving! Oftentimes 'Shugy' is referred to as the TOFF boss and Manager. He may not have eyes, but he can see beyond the unseen and is definitely a top favorite here on the farm. 💕 We are seeking SPONSORS for each of our program equines. Why Sponsor? By sponsoring a horse, pony or donkey you’re helping us continue to provide the love and care to all 20 of our remarkable residents. Trail of Faith Farms relies on the selfless giving of our donors to provide for horses in our care. Your generosity allows TOFF to continue successful rescue, rehabilitation, and quality care for our permanent residents. On top of the high recurring costs of hay, feed, hoof & dental care, vaccines, and deworming, rescued horses often need expensive diagnostics, treatments, surgeries, and emergency care. TOFF's need for your support is as great as ever. The cost of care for each horse varies widely, depending on hay costs, fuel costs, diet, special needs and similar considerations. On average, it costs anywhere from approximately $300 to $650 or more each month to provide basic care for each horse. We rely on donors to help cover these costs for our horses. When you sponsor a horse, you can commit to a monthly, quarterly, or annual donation you make in honor of a specific horse (“your” horse). You may sponsor any horse at any level or any amount you choose. If the actual costs of care for your horse are less than sponsor amounts, any excess will fund costs of care for other horses not sponsored. No donation is too small; every dollar counts! Sponsor a 🐴 ❤️ SOUL Sponsor, starting at $400+/mo.: As an exclusive sponsor of your “soulmate”, you fund all expenses for the basic care of your horse, including feed and routine care costs. In the event the horse needs emergency care, we will give you the first opportunity to help with the additional costs. The amount will vary depending on the horse. 🦸HERO Sponsor, $300/mo.: Be a virtuous champion for the horse. 👑 WARRIOR Sponsor, $250/mo.: Be a noble knight for the horse. 🪽 ANGEL Sponsor, $150/mo.: Be a heavenly saint for the horse. 💙 GUARDIAN Sponsor, $80/mo.: Be an honorable steward for your horse. 🚥 SIDEKICK Sponsor, any amount less than $50/mo.: Walk in stride with a horse; kick in any amount. 🦄💥 Give now! https://www.paypal.com/qrcodes/venmocs/8aeff6e2-2bb8-48dc-92cd-25ccdd3a2fc8?created=1748950107  It's All About Craven:
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