The Extreme Mustang Makeover Why
A lot of stories have been floating around about the remarkable performances that signal the end of the Extreme Mustang Makeover. These stories don't do justice to those mustangs that take part in the program and meltdown because of the huge pressures they're subject to in addition to the quantum of change they are forced to face up to inside a small time period. I do ponder whether this program needs a rethink, a revamp and a new name. Something like The Highly Dodgy Mustang Makeover.
It is disheartening to think of the level to which man will go simply to win some cash or a trophy. The Extreme Mustang Makeover, though a well-meaning affair, is starting to look like an affidavit to the rapacity of man.
You can't ignore the plain fact that when man, cash and animals enter the same room, cash dominates, man manipulates and the animal loses out. Where is the humane aspect of getting an animal to leap into a ring of fire or ride a cycle when he isn't given an opportunity to go out and get some freedom and some unpolluted air? It seems wild animals have to be treated wildly. 'Domestic' horses are given 2 weeks to evolve seamlessly to a new owner and a new home. I remember one of the horses I rescued that took a complete year to 'feel at home' it was only after this he could get going on some type of bonding process.
Mind you, he was a show horse of 7 years old.
I know plenty of first generation mustang owners, and I hear constantly from them about how much time it needs for their erstwhile 'wild' babies to adapt to life in captivity. We are talking about infant animals that have not yet finished a year of life in the wild. They're comparatively speaking extremely flexible. So just how much more time would breaking in an adult mustang take? Those mustangs that wandered the wilderness as part of a herd, that have breathed the sweet air of freedom for such a long time and now have their inherent rights to freedom trampled on?
Having mentioned that. I express my appreciation of the people that set up the programme to adapt animals from a life of hardship to a domesticated one within 90 days. At least they are more humane: they work within the true purposes of this program and stay far from the circus coaching rackets. The program helps mustangs adapt for relocation to new homes, where their new owners can bask in the deep pleasure of owing a living, gorgeous and smart extract from American legend.
The next time you see a mob relishing a good animal show, give thought to the source of the entertainment. The animal did not ask his gods to take him away from his natural habitat of happiness and liberty just so he could jump thru burning rings and thrill men. The amount of abuse these animals take from their trainers leaves you with a sense of irritated shock; you would probably feel far better if you were able to see what those animals that are saved do for their next owners. It might be educative to study the way in which the trainers have prepared these animals for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, the mustangs will not be made to perform tricks that don't come naturally to them just so folks can get kicks out of it all. Hopefully, they'll find owners who give them a permanent and a good home.
I have had to handle lots of mustangs that were reduced to quivering jelly by neglect and abuse. Mustangs are awfully impressionable animals. When they come at a tender age into man's world, they come as unprocessed raw material. Their early years lead the way for the rest of their lives. If they're nurtured well, they become lifelong and true companions. If they are abused, they lose their spirit, their confidence and their joy in life and spend their whole lives getting shunted from one home to another, earning a name for being uncontrollable and threatening and finally, being left to live out their remaining days in a stall somewhere.
Extreme Makeover says it all.
It is disheartening to think of the level to which man will go simply to win some cash or a trophy. The Extreme Mustang Makeover, though a well-meaning affair, is starting to look like an affidavit to the rapacity of man.
You can't ignore the plain fact that when man, cash and animals enter the same room, cash dominates, man manipulates and the animal loses out. Where is the humane aspect of getting an animal to leap into a ring of fire or ride a cycle when he isn't given an opportunity to go out and get some freedom and some unpolluted air? It seems wild animals have to be treated wildly. 'Domestic' horses are given 2 weeks to evolve seamlessly to a new owner and a new home. I remember one of the horses I rescued that took a complete year to 'feel at home' it was only after this he could get going on some type of bonding process.
Mind you, he was a show horse of 7 years old.
I know plenty of first generation mustang owners, and I hear constantly from them about how much time it needs for their erstwhile 'wild' babies to adapt to life in captivity. We are talking about infant animals that have not yet finished a year of life in the wild. They're comparatively speaking extremely flexible. So just how much more time would breaking in an adult mustang take? Those mustangs that wandered the wilderness as part of a herd, that have breathed the sweet air of freedom for such a long time and now have their inherent rights to freedom trampled on?
Having mentioned that. I express my appreciation of the people that set up the programme to adapt animals from a life of hardship to a domesticated one within 90 days. At least they are more humane: they work within the true purposes of this program and stay far from the circus coaching rackets. The program helps mustangs adapt for relocation to new homes, where their new owners can bask in the deep pleasure of owing a living, gorgeous and smart extract from American legend.
The next time you see a mob relishing a good animal show, give thought to the source of the entertainment. The animal did not ask his gods to take him away from his natural habitat of happiness and liberty just so he could jump thru burning rings and thrill men. The amount of abuse these animals take from their trainers leaves you with a sense of irritated shock; you would probably feel far better if you were able to see what those animals that are saved do for their next owners. It might be educative to study the way in which the trainers have prepared these animals for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, the mustangs will not be made to perform tricks that don't come naturally to them just so folks can get kicks out of it all. Hopefully, they'll find owners who give them a permanent and a good home.
I have had to handle lots of mustangs that were reduced to quivering jelly by neglect and abuse. Mustangs are awfully impressionable animals. When they come at a tender age into man's world, they come as unprocessed raw material. Their early years lead the way for the rest of their lives. If they're nurtured well, they become lifelong and true companions. If they are abused, they lose their spirit, their confidence and their joy in life and spend their whole lives getting shunted from one home to another, earning a name for being uncontrollable and threatening and finally, being left to live out their remaining days in a stall somewhere.
Extreme Makeover says it all.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her
extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about tack room
extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about tack room
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