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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2018)
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 21 2018 goal: Find new homes for mustangs rescued from Nevada By Alex Paul Albany Democrat-Herald ALBANY (AP) — Tami Fawcett calls the wild mus- tangs frolicking in a pasture near Scio “the kids” since they are only a few months old. Each has a name — Freckles, Brush, Sage, Paco, Hope and Ruby — and it’s easy to tell by their playful- ness that they are youngsters. Fawcett — an Oregon State University master’s degree candidate — would like nothing better than to start the New Year off right than by finding good homes for every one of them. As the founder of Mustangs MEND — M i n d f u l n e s s , E m p a t h y, Nurturing, Dignity — Fawcett recently rescued seven 3- to 8-month-old mus- tang colts from a Nevada kill pen. They came from tribal lands in Nevada. “We do not keep any adoptable horses long-term,” Fawcett said. “All horses are available, unless they require sanctuary. We screen potential homes and require references and no record of neglect or animal abuse.” Fawcett, 34, said the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Mustangs MEND also requires the adopting families to have solid fencing, shelter, and minimal care requirements such as access to a farrier, proper feed and veterinary services. Fawcett grew up in California and has loved ani- mals all her life. When she was young, her mother res- cued a “half-dead pony that ended up living another 10 years.” Her grandfather raised thoroughbreds. Fawcett’s life took her away from horses as she left home for college and then worked for several years before returning to college to earn a degree in global stud- ies from Cal State University- Monterey Bay. She came to Oregon to work on a master’s degree in gender studies. Fawcett believes that rescued horses can teach humans about leadership. “These horses are incred- ibly smart and hardy,” Fawcett said. “They make do for themselves on the range and cull through natu- ral selection. They get it right away.” Currently, Fawcett is working with Eve Good, who has 11 acres near Scio. They met after former renters left a horse at Good’s property. The small farm is now home to eight rescued mus- tangs, six wild orphans from a Nevada Paiute reservation, a curly mustang captured in Nevada and a 2-year-old filly rescued from the Warm Springs Reservation. Mustangs MEND can use donations of money, feed, used tack and equip- ment such as feed buckets and most of all, families that want to adopt one or more of the horses. They also need bedding pellets, wood stove pellets, funds to castrate colts — about $150 per colt — vitamin supplies and ulti- mately, an indoor facility that could be leased. Fawcett’s goal is to save the wild mustangs from slaughter. Thousands of mus- tangs are sold each year and transported into Mexico or Canada to be processed for both human consumption and dog food. Fawcett often attends area auctions and buys the horses. Contributing to the mus- tang problem is that there are thousands of mustangs on native American tribal lands spread across the United States. The tribes do not have funds to manage the horses and in turn, the horses suf- fer from lack of food and the tribal lands suffer from overgrazing. The horses are often sold for slaughter. Mustangs MEND has found homes for more than 30 horses in 2017. Two years ago, Fawcett fostered and tamed four young mustangs from the Warm Springs tribe through the Warm Springs Horse Network rescue. “I respect each horse indi- vidually,” Fawcett said. “If it learns something in a few minutes, that’s fine. If it takes a day, that’s fine, too. I want to make it easy on the horse and myself. The more mel- low I can be with each horse, the better.” Fawcett said the mustangs can be gentled into outstand- ing pleasure riding horses. “I think it’s important that adopting families find the horses to be both friendly and useful,” Fawcett said. Fawcett said society needs to also think long-term about managing the wild mustang population and that may include birth control. She said dart guns can be used to deliver birth control medications that last up to two years. “It’s about funding, politi- cal issues and getting people involved and trained on how to help wild horses and take care of them,” Fawcett said. It’s about funding, political issues and getting people involved and trained on how to help wild horses and take care of them. — Tami Fawcett “They really are not hard keepers. They have learned to take care of themselves and to adapt on the range. They rarely have illnesses because they are culled through natu- ral selection. The weaker ani- mals die.” Fawcett said that because horses are “herd animals,” they bond well with humans. One of her rescued horses was named the In-Hand Reserve Champion at the 2017 Oregon State Fair. ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS ATTENTIO Share Your Love… There are many ways to love Help the people of Sisters shop local and show their love by advertising your gifts & services in The Nugget Newspaper Valentine’s Day Special Section January 31 & February 7 $245 (50% off regular ad rates) Full-color ad (3"x 3.31") both weeks Mini story about your business (one week) PROFESSIONAL DESIGN IS FREE Call Karen at 541-549-9941…she’ll help you with your ad. (Space is limited, and it will sell out)
