Crosswinds Equine Rescue

ARRIVED	January 2009 -- Extreme Mustang Makeover Competitor (BLM mustang, completely untouched)
ADOPTABILITY	AVAILABLE as a BLM title transfer (see below for details)
SPONSORSHIP: (Details below)	FEED: needs a sponsor! MEDICAL: needs a sponsor!
BREED/AGE	3-year old (2006 model) BLM Mustang Mare, 15hh (untitled; eligible for title transfer. contact for details) (read history below the report card)
Skills/Training "Report Card"
Overall Health: A	Wakanda is a stocky, bulky, "small draft" looking mustang with a broad chest and strong, clean legs. She is at an ideal weight, body score of 5 to 5.5, with nice muscling. She has a magnificient summer coat, and retained that light colored muzzle even in her summer colors. She has no known health problems or injuries at any time in her life. She has rock hard, healthy hooves. She has had no dental issues -- and easily lost a baby cap -- while riding -- without any upset. This is a strong, solid, stocky, capable young mare whose in excellent health and ready for a new life!
Ground Manners: B	Wakanda has GOOD ground manners, often leading with a piece of baling twine around her neck instead of her halter. She will lead most places with little argument and is aware and careful with her feet. She doesn't mind traffic or dogs. She still occasionally tosses her head when displeased. She is excellent about having her front hooves handled -- lifting them for the handler on command -- but less secure in having her back feet managed.
Basic Riding Skills: B	Wakanda has come to really enjoy riding in most conditions, and is a pleasure to ride. Wakanda enjoys trail riding and going exploring, and easily crosses water and other obstacles. She is comfortable around cars and farm equipment. She leg yields nicely, pivots on the forehand. She will sidepass in either direction but doesn't yet maintain her balance well enough to do so balanced with both ends moving at the same line at the same pace. We have had early intermediate riders on her several times, and with some additional training she could likely do well with riders at this skill level. She still needs additional instruction from an advanced rider or trainer, though, to help her understand that she isn't allowed to take advantage of a rider's inexperience. Wakanda has always had a habit of balking when she is unhappy while under saddle. This has improved with time, but sadly it showed itself at its worst at the contest in Wisconsin. Again, she needs additional training time to help her learn to move forward and to trust her rider's judgement at the job she is being saked to do. Her trot is very well balanced and easy to rate. Trots over ground rails with ease She has a comfortable canter, does simple lead changes easily, and has done a few flying changes.. She does not bolt and she steers easily, fluidly. See her ride videos hosted on YouTube.
Ideal Career	Wakanda is still VERY green. We would only adopt her to an experienced rider or someone planning to work very closely with a trainer. She is a joy to ride and has an exceptionally sweet and gentle personality, especially considering how bullyish she was upon arrival. She enjoys trail riding very much.
Stall Manners A	Stalls easily, remains relaxed with others or alone. Waits to be led out when the door is opened. Often handled without a halter, with simply a piece of twine tossed over her neck or even nothing at all. Eats easily, doesn't pace, crib or stall walk.. VERY easy keeper.
Trailering Skills: A	Loads easily, loads herself, even in stressful situations. Has trailered several times, rides very quietly, has never been trailered alone. Unloads well, waits to come down, backs or pivots and leads out of slant load with ease. Has loaded onto stock trailer also with ease.
Companionship / Pasture Manners B	Wakanda is a leader, but not overly aggressive, and is not the top alpha in our herd. Comes when called, easy to catch, truly loves people and attention. Loves to "smile" on command in hopes of earning a treat. Polite and patient at the gate.
Manageability for Routine and Medical Care B	Farrier: C. Lifts front hooves ok but nervous about being on the stand; lifts rears nicely but very tense about being on the stand. Shots: C. Was nervous with needles but not aggressive. Completed her shots without significant difficulty. Dental: A. VERY easily sedated. Worming: A. No fuss, doesn't pull away, doesn't spit it out or drop or wipe it on handlers. Grooming: B. Good for brushing, OK for hoof cleaning, gets mildly impatient. Ears -- B, remains mildly protective of her right ear, never tried clipping Clipping -- C. took some effort to complete clipping her brand, have not attempted to clip other body areas. Bathing -- NA, we've not tried. Tying: B. Wakanda ties to be saddled/bridled and does well. Gets mildly impatient, but does not yank or otherwise attempt to break the tie.
Adoption Terms	Wakanda is at CWER on her one year adoption contract from the BLM. For her to go to a new adopter would require their approval as a BLM adopter and a $25 transfer fee. In addition, CWER would require a donation to CWER of $775 as her adoption donation. This fee helps to cover the fee we paid the BLM to purchase her at the end of the EMM competition plus a small portion of the expenses incurred to care for Wakanda since January 2009. If an adopter wishes, they can adopt Wakanda and also purchase an additional 30 days riding training for a discounted rate of $250 -- half of our normal training fee. With an additional 30 days, Wakanda would likely be a very nice partner for an early intermediate rider who wishes to do basic arena work, lower level showing, or trail riding. She is a strong, stocky, adorable mare who is very affectionate with people and when she understands what is asked of her seems to like to ride and to please her rider.

Overview: Wakanda is a magnificient, stocky, well built wild mustang mare, just 3 years old, who did exceptionally well through her 100 days training for the Extreme Mustang Makeover. She is a joy to ride, and truly loves people. she has a soft, gentle personality now that she's settled in (she was very pushy early on), and looks for love and attention. With some additional training time, Wakanda would be a great trail horse, and also has potential in other areas such as hunter under saddle, western pleasure (not been trained to neck rein yet), etc. She has a balanced canter and is really a joy to ride.

Wakanda was one of our 3 competitors for the Extreme Mustang Makeover. She started out pushy and aggressive with people, apparently angry over the human handling when leaving her wild friends at the holding area. It took a good bit of time to help her see that no one was trying to hurt her, and for her to become interested in the things we were doing with the other 3 mustangs. She did well at Wisconsin, doing fantastic in the in hand test, but getting nervous and balking in one spot, arguing about moving, during the ridden test. We purchased her at the auction and returned her to CWER so that we could give her some much earned time off, then put some additional training on her and find her a new home.

Wish to read the detailed posts about Wakanda's progress prior to Wisconsin? Join our free email list (link on our home page), and do a search of the archives for Wakanda. There you'll find probably 30 posts regarding Wakanda's progress and you'll get to see lead trainer Mike Cross' passion for this big "muzzled' mare...

Sponsorship: Wakanda now needs a feed sponsor. The feed sponsor donates to cover the cost of her feed monthly -- $35 per month at this time.

She also needs a medical sponsor. Her only expenses since Wisconsin so far have been her spring shots, $18.

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