My time with Zephyr before the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge is almost up. Looking back now, it is hard to think that less than 100 days ago, this horse was wild— untouched by a human hand. And here I am, the first person ever to have gained his trust.
I remember our first round penning session. He was so flighty I wondered if I was going to have a difficult time drawing him off the rail to face me. But the first time I asked, he turned right into me and stood square. I think it startled both of us. His eyes were so expressive it was impossible to not know exactly what he was thinking. And with the passing of the weeks, the worry slowly left and a softer, content look eased in. With every request I made of him, Zephyr’s response was always, ‘Is this right? Is this what you wanted?’ His reactions to everything have been sincere and his questions legitimate. He has challenged me to answer his questions with kindness and resolve. Teaching this horse everything it has learned in the past few months has given me a joy unparalleled by anything I have experienced prior.
As I think about the potential of having to go home with an empty trailer after the competition, I have to keep in mind that this is what I signed up for. I knew that at the end of 100 days, I would demonstrate his trainability and talent in the training competition held by the Mustang Heritage Foundation before an auction. But with all of our combined experiences, how could I possibly let him go? Will I be able to say goodbye to my teacher? If all goes as I hope, then I won’t have to. But if we part ways at the auction, I can only hope that his new partner learns as much from him as I have. I will always have our shared memories to cherish.
~Anna Jacob, NLHTM Intern, 2011-2012
