AML 298
Keno from Little Owyhee, adopted by the Tipton Family of Utah 
Salem & Amanda
Cindy Lawrence and "Little One" aka "Dream Catcher" from Little Owyhee, and adopted through the Carson City Prison Training Program
Arrow from the Little Owyhee NV200 he is saddle trained from Hutchinson
- Diane Fisher of MO
| Darlene Stevenson's Lakota
 Darlene writes, "I went with a friend to an auction - she was looking for a trailer. This man pulls in with a cattle trailer, so my daughter asked what he had his reply was "just a mustang". What do I do -----Nextel Sandra who happened to be at an adoption, run his brand (which happened to be extremely easy to read), the BLM said "not titled," you can submit an application for reassignment. So I told the guy we would take him. Well to make a long story short I now have his title. He was originally adopted as a yearling and is from the Little Owyhee HMA. Lakota was 13 at the time I got him from the auction. So he was "lost" in the system for 11 years. And not to brag or anything but he is AWESOME of course! I have to share him with my daughter, Ashley. But here are some photos of him on the web site." http://www.sfmustangs.com/junior-jump.htm- Darlene
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AML 140
Sunfire from Snowstorm Mountains | A few years back, a local rancher in the Snowstorm Mountains area imported a top Thoroughbred stallion from Europe. The stress of the trip took its toll, and the stallion's first breeding season resulted in no foals. The rancher had no use for a sterile stud horse, so he released him into the wild. Surprise! The stallion recuperated fully, his fertility was restored, and he has left a very strong mark on the wild horses of the Snowstorm Mountains area.
At left, Rocky, a Snowstorm Mountains mustang re-adopt, being trained by Mark & Skip Lang |
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NV202 Osgood (zeroed) | NV205 Slumbering Hills (zeroed) |
NV206 Krum Hills (zeroed) | NV203 Hot Springs (zeroed) |
NV204 Bloody Runs (zeroed) | NV207 Eugene Mtns (zeroed) |
Bunny Lincoln of Napa, CA, got her Jackson Mountain mustang, Harlee, DNA-tested by Dr. Gus Cothran. Here is what Dr. Cothran told her:"Harley has a type that is not very easy to interpret. Closest resemblance is to Turkoman type horses, which probably indicates Iberian ancestry as those horses show similarities to Iberian. Second closest is the Peruvian Paso which reinforces the Spanish heritage evidence. Third is the Quarter Horse. This could be due to the Spanish influence in that breed or just the general variability of the QH, which makes it show high similarity to many types. Overall I would say the evidence points to Spanish ancestry for Harley. I do not really think the Turkoman results points to Arabian influence but it could be that Harley is of mixed heritage." Gus E. Gus Cothran, Ph.D.
Animal Genetics Lab.
VIBS, CVM
Texas A&M University
TAMU 4458
College Station, TX 77843-4458 | 
Internet Adoption horses from Jackson Mountains
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Jackson Mtns Internet Adoption mares from 2006 |
"Nevada" from Jackson Mtns | 
"Nevada" from Jackson Mtns |
#2686 from BLM Internet Adoption, before he became Koda | 
#2686 Now Koda, Today! |
Hi. My name is Rachel Derby. I was looking on your web site and I believe that I now own one of the horses that you have pictured. He is in the Jackson Mnt #208 section. His brand number is 582686, “Koda”. I was just wondering if you could confirm this and if you have anymore pictures and information about him. I am just curious. I bought him about a month and a half ago in Indiana. He is adorable and I am crazy about him and I have found myself wanting to know every possible detail I can about him. If you have any info I would greatly appreciate knowing it. Thank you, Rachel |
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February, 2006, Internet Adoption horses |
Cache from Jackson Mtns, adopted by Misty Carney |  |
Harlee from Jackson Mtns, adopted by Bunny Lincoln |  |
Trigger from Jackson Mtns, adopted by Desiree Morrison | 
Trigger having fun with a friend |
Hi. My name is Tammy Melvin of Decatur, IL. I just had the most wonderful experience! I adopted two mustang fillies from the Ewing, IL holding facility a few months ago. They were both captured in Jackson Mountain, NV. Both coming two year olds. And I am in love with both of them. They gentled super easy and within a few days, they were catching and leading too. (I removed their halters so they would have a fair deal the day we got them home). Within a few weeks they were allowed out of their corrals and into my pastures. They both have had successful hoof trims, with NO trouble whatsoever, have gotten their bridle paths clipped with no resistance and have gotten alot of their groundwork complete. Including saddling, and long lining with halters as well as playing the seven games of Parelli. They never even offered to buck or bolt with the saddle. Acted as if they were born with it on! Im super impressed with how much they give to you once you earn their trust and am planning on adopting my next two mustangs very soon! Mustang is definitely the breed for my family and I! PS. I LOVE your site, and have it bookmarked. I reference it often. Thanks Tammy |  
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AML 50 The Black Rock East herd includes a number of Curlies. Some will be available for adoption on the July 2010 Internet Adoption
 
Levi from Black Rock East
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Black Rock East HMA
Adopted by Katherine BrownThe Black Rock horses are large and sturdy. The US Cavalry Remount program has left a strong mark on them.
Black Rock East youngster 
Stephanie Padgett's "Bella" from Black Rock East |
Tally-Ho, adopted and trained by Julia King
Tally has been winning ribbons and championships all over the place lately. She is also a calm and reliable trail horse. At well over 16 hands tall, she definitely has "presence!" | 
Jean Turner & Julia King on their large Black Rock horses at the Western States Wild Horse & Burro Expo. Jean takes her horse all over the US on the Fox-Hunting circuit. |
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Angie Gaines' "Black Rock Sparky", a Curly from Black Rock East (at adoption, August 2010 - above, and after adoption, below)
| Hi Nancy,
I love your website; it is so informative and a great place to learn more about Mustangs. My name is Angie Gaines and I was introduced to you from a good friend, Dr. Mitch Wilkinson. He and I very active in helping BLM Curly Mustangs. I have four Curly Mustangs and five American Curly Horses at my ranch just southeast of Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Wilkinson and our organization has been working with Dr. Gus Cothran DVM at Texas A&M University on genetic mapping of these horses. We were able to send him approximately 35 blood and hair samples last year.
Here is our website with photos and a little history on our Curlies www.goldencurlsranch.com
Dr. Cothran has found that there is no Arabian blood in the testing of the last Curly Mustangs so we are leaning towards the theory that they did come to the states from the Bering Strait. It really makes sense when we see the similarities to the Mongolian ponies.
I am attaching a few photos of our Sparky, Black Rock's Golden Firefly, he is an approximately two year old Bay stallion. We brought him home from Palomino Valley on August 6, 2010. He has the greatest personality and floats when he runs..so I would call it a gentle gait as many Curly Mustangs are known to have. He is gentled and we will continue working on his saddling as I ask all my horses be trained for their safety.
Here is his BLM information
FreezeMark 09610982
Signalment Key HM1AAAAAB
Adoption Location ESO 930 Eastern States - NV
I also have two mares that we adopted in 2009, they have the same
DNA as Damele's Copper D stallion. Dr. Mitch Wilkinson has a BLM Curly Mustang and a good friend Connie Rivas has a gelding gathered from the same area as Mitch's stud and our girls. Please let me know if we can add them as well.
Thank for all the hard work you have done to share information about these wonderful Mustangs. We are honored to share our horses with you and your readers.
Angie Gaines
Secretary of Curly Mustang AssociationAngie Gaines' Curly Mustangs page Another story about Curly mustangs
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This horse went on to be the first Extreme Mustang makeover Champion, with trainer Guy Woods |
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This one performed dressage at the first Extreme Mustang makeover. |
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AML 41 burros
(burros only) This burros-only HMA adjoins the Sheldon USFWS Preserve, and the area is noted for its exceptiohnally good -looking, sturdy and large burros. Burros in this area often have "eye makeup" with "teardrop" or "mascara" effects. | 
Paco, adopted by Erica Williamson |
(zeroed)
Kota and Greg
Kota was captured from the Antelope Range on 2/12/98 near Lovelock, NV in Pershing County.
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NV212 Selenite
(zeroed out as an HMA in August 1998 but obviously the burros did not agree...)
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NV213 Truckee Range
(zeroed) | |
| NV 214 Kamma Mtns 
Kamma Mtns Internet Adoption horse
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AML 119 horses
13 burros
Lava Beds Blackie and foal |  
Lava Beds 3-year-old for adoption at Palomino Valley in spring of 2006
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Before: blue roan gelding at Palomino Valley | 
After: Trained by Rick & Kittty Lauman, andnow owned by Pat Tuck |
| This wonderful mustang is Mellow. He is from the Lava Beds HMA in Nevada. Our other mustangs had all been bought privately prior to him, he is the first one we adopted ourselves. He was rounded up in December of 2005 and we adopted him June 9, 2006. We were petting and leading him the first night home and he has been like a puppy ever since. The most calm and curious horse we ever could have asked for! This picture was taken after only 8 days here. He is awesome! ~Michelle Rasmussen |  |
| NV 216 Seven Troughs AML 124 horses
37 burros | 
Seven Troughs Burros for adoption at Palomino Valley Spring 2006 |
Manny from Seven Troughs - adopted by Diane Fisher of MO
Special Photo Pages for: Blue Wing - 7 Troughs | Calico Mtns Complex
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AML 29 horses
23 burros
Sheer Perfection AKA Mango from Blue Wing Mountains - Owned by Elaine Andrews
Blue Wing stud at Palomino Valley | 
Cookie from Blue Wings and Jed Turner
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Blue Wings HMA, showing 2003 capture site | 
The Blue Wings horses show strong Spanish characteristics. Their colors include primarily the basic red, black and bay, with lots of roan and sabino. |
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The Blue WIngs horses from the 2003 gather were thin, stressed, and primarily older horses - or older horses and their new foals. Above, a Maximum WHite Sabino foal. |
Thin foals | 
Landscape n the Blue Wings - not much to eat! |
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I often regretted not having adopted this nice strawberry roan yearling |
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Blue Wings Burros |
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 |  Blue Wings burros at capture site (left) and at Palomino Valley (above) |
Blue Wings Guinness, adopted by Amy Dumasas a newly-adopted youngster (above) and at maturity (right) |  |
Sonar (now deceased), adopted by Bea Wade | 
This white burro was adopted by Brad Pribyl and named "Honky Tonk" |
Michael Kerson and his two Blue Wings burros, Dawn and Bert
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Babies Bert and Dawn |
HMA 52
Ruffian from Shawave - adopted by Diane Fisher of Missouri 
Amaretta from Shawave
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 Koda from Shawave, captured on 1/18/95 purchased from a prior adopter in 2005 by Bernice Lawson |  |
| OUR SHAWAVE LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN: My daughter saved money to buy a horse. We were at a livestock sale in WV when she found a horse she had to have , a little dark bay mare which had been abused. There were bad cuts on her legs and face and a lot of scars. She was very nervous but seemed to like Sara. I tried to talk her into buying something else but she bought Sally for $325. When we got her home I found the mustang brand under her mane. I decoded it and called the BLM. She is from the Shawave Mtn. herd in the Winnemucca district. She was captured in 1998 and went to Palomino Valley. From there she went to Jackson, MS. She was then adopted by a man in Virginia. He got her title in 2000. I don't know where all she was since but she was treated very badly. All of her cuts are healed now and she is getting more trusting but she is still afraid of men. We can pick up her feet and do her hooves and she saddles real easy but it will be a while before we can ride her. We have found one very unique thing about her: she has decided that it's her job to guard our livestock. She rounds up all the sheep and goats every evening and circles them. We have not lost anything to coyotes. Our neighbors lost 75 goats. As far as we're concerned, Sally is worth her weight in gold even if she never makes a riding horse! Her guard instinct is priceless. -Aggie Ross New Milton West Virginia | |
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Nightingale Chipmunk, adopted by Georgia Moss |
According to Glenna Eckel, WHB Specialist, One of the first large scale horse-raising operations in Northwest Nevada was in the Smoke Creek Desert, which lies at the foot of the Buffalo Hills Range, with Gerlach, Nevada at its northernmost tip. In the early 1860's, 500 Spanish Barbs were purchased in San Diego for 50 cents per head and driven to the Smoke Creek Desert, where they were released. Recent genetic assessment indicates that the gaited North American breeds (Morgan, Saddlebred, Rocky Mountain Horse, Tennessee Walker, Saddlebred and Standardbred Trotter) are the group that is most closely related to today's herds in this area. | 
As of February 3, 2006, this Buffalo Hills mare is available for adoption over the Internet. Call Mike Meyers at Palomino Valley for information: 775-223-9046 |
The Granite Range is characterized by stark desert dotted with lush oases created by springs on the mountain sides.Dr. Gus Cothran peformed genetic testing on this herd in 2005 and the results indicate a genetically healthy herd. The domestic breeds most similar to the Granite Range horses are the gaited North American saddle breeds, including Tennessee Walker, Rocky Mountain Horse, and the American Saddlebred Horse. |  |
This Granite Range horse is a show champion owned by Katrina Henigan
9-month-old Granite Range filly
 
Granite Range horses at Palomino Valley BLM Center
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Appaloosas from the Granite Range are believed to be the descendants of circus horses who escaped a train break-down. I asked Dr. Cothran about the Appaloosa ancestry and he replied that testing for this would be very hard to do. "All the Appaloosas in the US today are essentially Quarter Horse. Circus horses might not have been from the US but without more specific information it looks like this myth can live on." 
Granite Range Majestic - adopted by Laura Bell
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Ginny Freeman's Lark from Granite Range at Palomino Valley (above) and at home (below)
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"Harley"
"My trainer friend had Harley in for some training and the girl who adopted him wanted to sell him so we got "hooked up"! Harley had laryngeal hemiplegia ( a paralyzed larynx) and had to go to UC Davis for surgery where he proceeded to win the hearts of all the vets and students at the facility. He has turned out to be an absolute wonderful horse that I will never part with. Anyway, I just wanted to share with you what happened to that horse that was so friendly at the Reno adoption. By the way, Bob was trimming his feet the first day he was home from Reno." - Cindy McMurry
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Harley at Pt. Reyes
Harley in the mountains
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Here is Harley with friends at Palomino Valley in 2001, awaiting adoption
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| According to Glenna Eckel, WHB Specialist at the BLM Winnemucca Field Office, ranch horses were raised and periodically gathered in this area by the Jackson family until 1971. The Jacksons introduced Thoroughbred studs and Pinto mares to "upgrade" the local wild horses. This HMA consists of 157,000 acres of steep volcanic mountainous terrain. Elevations range from 4000 feet, at the foot of the Black Rock Desert, to 8491 feet at Division Peak. Calico Mountains horses are highly desired by adopters for ranch work and performance riding. It is a very colorful herd with lots of creme (cremello, palomino, buckskin, perlino, and smokey black), Duns (including grullos), Medicine Hat Toveros, and Frame, Sabino, Splashed White Overo, and Tobiano pintos. The basic colors of Bay, Black and Red are also common. Some exceptional bay horses from Calico Mountains participated in the first Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2007. Special Photo Pages for: Blue Wing - 7 Troughs | Calico Mtns Complex Dr. Gus Cothran peformed genetic testing in 2005 on 25 horses captured from this herd. The results indicate a genetically uniform herd with critically low variability, although there is no indication of inbreeding. The domestic breeds most similar to the Calico Mountains horses are the gaited North American saddle breeds, including Tennessee Walker, Rocky Mountain Horse, and the American Saddlebred Horse. |
| This is the part of Calico Mountain range that gave it its name - so named because of the colorful rock layers, reminiscent of a calico quilt. The rest of the range is more typical high desert mountains, with snow-capped peaks in the higher elevations. |  |
At Right: "I bought a Calico mtn. mare about 5 years ago (she was about 13). She was adopted at age 4 and looks like maybe Morgan blood is in her somewhere !
Here are some pics ... she's a great parade horse... I host foreign exchange students, give them 4-5 riding lessons and she takes 'em down the street in costume!
Keep up the good work with the website!"
Happy Trails!
Suzanna Takacs |
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(click for Calico Page)
Sparky from Calico Mtns
- adopted by Nancy Kerson | 
Sparky on The Fearful Crossing |
STAR
 
Roya Squire and her new Calico Mtns colt from the June 2005 Vallejo adoption |
Star as a 2-year-old |
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Banjo, adopted by Adam Selvin and Jessica Craine at the 2005 Vallejo adoption |
These are of my mare Kiowa. She will be 14 in May and is my pride and joy. I got her as a 10 year old and we are currently studying Parelli Natural Horsemanship together. She is one of the easiest horses I have ever worked with and the most fun. We have done the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Show the last 2 years as well as the Nevada State Fair. I always get compliments on her color and her temperament. I been asked everything from "Is she a warmblood/ thoroughbred/ quarter horse?" to "Can I breed my mare to your stud?"! The looks I get when people find out she is a mustang is priceless!! I wouldn't sell or trade her for anything. Kiowa has made me a believer in mustangs for life! Thanks so much for your site! Kathy Voorhis Reno, NV | 
The first picture is of Kiowa and myself in the summer of 2005 and the second is from 2005 as well. This is one of her favorite places to be! Once she got comfortable with the horse trailer and loading, she started randomly jumping up on to my stepdad's car trailer. She does this with no encouragement-even in the middle of the night! Now it's almost impossible to get her off of there without food!
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 Here is a picture of Alabaster with trainer, Scott Kandel. I adopted Alabaster from the Palomino Valley Center in July, 2005. He is a gentle, smart, magnificent animal. Debra Brus
Sparks, NV |
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Max, adopted by Annie Araki of Idaho |
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3-year-old "Sparky Twin" at 2003 Western States Wild Horse & Burro Expo 2003
 
Calico Mountains Mares from 2000 gather | 
Carlie and her adopter, Cathy Barcomb, trail riding in the Sierras |
Calico Rose - Mare | 
Jazzy from Calico Mtns - originally adopted by Lesley Neuman and now owned and trained by Julie Hahn |
 
Calico Mountains horses |
Gretchen from Calico Mountains - pure white mare adopted by Gwilda Byrd |
CALICO MTNS FLY
Adopted by Karen Floyd & Family | 
Adopter Karen Floyd's daughter, Alex, with Fly a short time after adoption |
ADOPTED!!!
(This might be the Floyd Family's "Fly" | 
...And a year later, Alex is riding Fly! |
Grullo yearling adopted by Efren R of Napa |  |
As of February 3, 2006, this Calico Mtns mare is available for adoption over the Internet. Call Mike Meyers at Palomino Valley for information: 775-223-9046 |  |
 
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Calico Mtns mare | 
Calico Rose |
As of February 3, 2006, this 3-yr-old brown/smokeyblack Calico Mtns mare was adopted by Janet Hickman through the new NIASN program at Palomino Valley by Janet Hickman! | 
"Dream" adopted by Janet Hickman |
Calico Mountains
Calico Mountains | 
Calico Mtns mare |
Calico Mountains | 
Sparky from Calico Mountains
(Nancy Kerson, adopter) |
| GUS from Calico Mtns Hi there! My name is Sharon and I see my mustang "Gus" is on your website. I bought him from Sherry Timms in 2002 and traveled 22 hrs out and 22 hrs back from New York to get him. I have five horses and he is by far the favorite. He has been invited to the BLM adoption being held at Ithaca, NY this year on July 22 and 23. I have since adopted a wonderful blood red bay who is currently 3 and I have started to lightly ride. What a thinker! He also hails from Nevada, but not the Calico Mtns. I have a registered paint in my barn that is by far the "show horse" however, Gus is my boy and the one I choose to ride. We trail, and show. He took my daughter who was 5 last Sept. to high point youth at the Mid-Atlantic Mustang Show. His first year of showing at that. He has a long way to go, and actually I just started showing also but we are having fun. I have had many trainers approach me about him since he is such a big boy and holds himself "in natural balance". It's fun to see their faces when they learn he is an adopted mustang. I get a lot of people suddenly interested in adoptions because of him and I do get a few of the "high and mighty" that have actually walked away after loving all over him when they found out he was not of "high breeding". I love it. He competes with the best of them and has a big heart for try. I dont know, but I have been told by several people he has great potential to make it to Grand Prix level dressage. Whatever he does, he will never leave my barn!!!!!! I sent some updated pictures of him. - Sharon, NY 06/22/2006 | 
Gus' original adopter, Sherry Timm, riding Gus in 2002
Gus at a horse show in 2005
Gus performing Dressage |
NV 223
Sonoma Range(zeroed out in 1987) | |
NV224
Humboldt(Zeroed out in 1993) | |
NV 225 East Range(zeroed November 2001)
Included Dolly Hayden, Klondike, Pleasant Valley, Rawhide, Star Peak, White Peak | |
AML 175 horses
24 burros
I photographed this beautiful band in June, 2006, along the road that separates the Calico Mountains from the Warm Springs HMA. The horses are on the Warm Springs side of the road. |
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Sugar Dollar from the Warm Springs Canyon HMA - adopted by Celeste Foster of Georgia |  |
Warm Springs filly adopted in 2005 by "Californiadreamin"
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This Warm Springs Canyon mare was adopted over the Internet as part of the NIASN Pilot Program. | 
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This is a Cavalry Remount area, and the horses still have excellent size and substance, reflecting their Thoroughbred and draft ancestry. AML 186
 
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Karen R's awesome Black Rock mare, Hanna | 
Hanna flying a kite |
NV228 Fox-LakeAML 204
Fox & Lake HMA's include many small, elegant Welsh Pony descendants Part of the Fox & Lake range was zeroed out a few years back because it was impossible to protect the horses from folks in the area who were illegally capturing them and selling them at auction. The herd was gathered in July of 2009 |  
Fox & Lake with red dun (and possibly champagne?) coloring
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Fox & Lake colt at Palomino Valley (already tame!) | 
colts & fillies at Palomino Valley from the July 2009 gather |
2009 Fox & Lake filly adopted by Ray & Carol Belmore of Arizona |  
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NV230 South Slumbering Hills(zeroed December 1985) | |
AML 126
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This is a picture of my first mustang, Whisky. We found him at a horse auction in early 2005. He is from the North Stillwater HMA NV229. He was foaled in 2002. I have since bought several other mustangs and have started taking others in and finding them new homes to keep them out of auctions. Mustangs are wonderful horses and I'm glad to be able to help them out!
- Michelle Rasmussen |
This darling red dun filly from North Stillwater was adopted by Ray & Carol Belmore of Arizona | North Stillwater was gathered in July of 2009, along with Fox & Lake and Nellis. Here is a photo of horses from the three herd areas at Palomino Valley, in November or 2009:
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NV 231 Tobin RangeAML 17
Gathered in fall of 2009 - lots of color - including Appaloosas!
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(officially zeroed August 1982, last gathered 2005)
"The Trinities" was a known draft horse-influenced area. A local rancher had imported a draft stud (I don't know what breed - my source only said "draft" - which he allowed to run free and breed with the local wild herds.) The herd area is located South of Seven Troughs HMA, on "checkerboard" land that is a mix of private and public land. It was zeroed out of the BLM Wild Horse & Burro system, due to the fact that the land is so checkered with privately-held areas that it was too difficult to protect the horses. | 
The large, elegant Pinto on the right is Piper, from the Trinity Range. Piper is owned by Sandi Anderson and they perform in an all-Mustang drill team |
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NV233 Lower Paradise Valley (zeroed) | |
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Priscilla & her very dun Augusta Mtns horse
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Jack from Augusta Mountains, owned by Edona Miller and FOR SALE |
Spring Mountain Spirit, adopted by Rosemarie Cruze
"She thinks life is great. It is for her." | |
Augusta Mountain Onyx | |
