Sand Wash horses meet Steve Mantle for mustang clinics

RBC I The Sand Wash Basin wild horses are a little like the Beatles–they have a huge following of fans. A number of these beautiful wild horses were gathered as a result of the lack of feed from years of drought. The Meeker Mustang Makeover will pair 20 of these beautiful wild horses with trainers who pick them up on April 30.

These trainers and the public will have the opportunity to observe Steve Mantle, a BLM wild horse trainer, start two of these horses as he helps the trainers see firsthand how natural horsemanship can help the process of gaining trust and gentling these horses.

Touching a wild horse for the first time can be one of the most heart-thumping and rewarding sensations imaginable. One of the best mustang and wild horse trainers in our region, Mantle (Meeker native and owner of Mantle Ranch, Wheatland, Wyoming) will hold a two clinics for the fourth annual Meeker Mustang Makeover trainers April 30, and the horse-loving public is invited to bring family and friends to be a part of the journey these horses and trainers are starting.

Mustang professional Mantle will present two clinics at the Rio Blanco Fairgrounds in Meeker. At 9:30 a.m. Mantle will hold his Starting a Yearling Clinic which uses a yearling mustang. This clinic will include the first steps for the 10 youth trainers who will pick up their yearling mustangs that morning.

Then, at 1:30 p.m., Steve will hold his Starting a Three Year Old Clinic, also approximately two hours, where he will start with a 3-year-old mustang, and work through the early first steps to get the horse ready for handling.

Attendance cost is $10 which includes both clinics. Kids 12 and under are free. It is also a great day to visit the White River Museum in Meeker which has a lot of Indian and Old West artifacts, soldier uniforms, and arrowheads for a fascinating walk back in time. After spending a great day with Steve Mantle, Meeker Mustang Makeover, and the White River Museum, have lunch at one of the many incredible restaurant choices that Meeker has to offer.

Yearling In-Hand 2022 Trainers:

Bear Emlyn (10) Snowmass

Kaleb Karschner (11) Craig

*Kamyah Morissette (12) Fort Collins

Chance Allred (12) Rangely

*Ellie Bruckert (13) Greeley

Brynn Emlyn (13) Snowmass

*Lynn Townsend (14) Fort Collins

Jason Heid (15) Clark

Morgan Yeiser (15) Oak Creek

Nina Bradley (16) Steamboat Springs

Kristina Mitchell (16) Steamboat Springs