I visited the Wild Mustang Ranch in southern GA. The Wild Mustang Ranch (WMR) team includes; Sandra Williamson, one of the best wild Mustang trainers in the world, Simone Banghard, Master Equus Facilitator, Wolfgang Skrobanek, Master Equus Facilitator, Mike Williamson, overseer of the day to day ranch projects, and Alan Fowler, Director of Golf Programs on the Ranch.
You are from Germany, how did you decide to come help Wild Mustangs in the USA?
Sandra: I have been in the USA since 2008 and involved with horses all my life. I took my first Mustang, Max, that as not wild but was mistreated, and had no trust of people at all. He showed me that I knew nothing about Mustangs! I started working with him and other Mustangs and it changed my perspective completely. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) started bringing me Mustangs to train. I had a partner in Germany who found people in Europe who wanted Mustangs. I shipped 400 Mustangs to homes in Europe.
Simone: In 2014 I got my Equine Coaching Certificate. Horses changed my life and gave me insights I never got from any person. After that I got my Masters Equine Coaching certification and got further certifications in Europe. In 2016 I met Sandra and bought 3 Mustangs from her. Our friendship developed and we are family and business partners now. In May 2021 we bought this property and the Wild Mustang Ranch was born.
Wolfgang: I did not grow up with horses but when I discovered Mustangs it was like a missing link for me. I am driven to help as many Mustangs as I can.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mission of WMR?
Our ranch provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to Wild Mustangs. We are passionate about preserving the spirit of the American Wild Mustang and we provide education, training and proper adoption services.
There are about 83 000 in the wild still and about 60 000 in shelters. If we can save and change the life of some of these then we must try.
Tell us why Wild Mustangs are special.
Sandra: They are wild. They act differently to domestic horses. When you work with a Mustang, what you see and feel is the authentic horse. Their instincts kick in and they are the best teachers to teach you patience and help you control your own energy. When you first touch a Mustang it is an emotional moment. You work hard to earn their trust and you learn so much about yourself in doing so.
Mike: Walking up to a Mustang and getting to touch him is a job. He is not going to just let you walk up and pet him. You have to work your energy levels to meet his. Taking the tag (the identifying tag that is placed on the Mustang while in holding) is truly one of the most special experiences of your life.
How many Mustangs have you rescued?
Sandra: We have rescued almost 600 Mustangs to date.
Where do you get your wild Mustangs from?
Wild Mustangs get rounded up and sent to facilities (shelters). There are a lot of these facilities out west. The closest is in Illinois. The BLM has adoption events in every state and we get them from there. We also try to rescue from kill pens.
When you bring your Mustangs to the Ranch, what do you do with them?
When Mustangs come here we recognize that they have been through so much trauma. They have been rounded up, separated from their families and travel very long distances to get here. So when they arrive at WMR we release them into the pastures and let them settle. We focus on their health and feed them very good food. After about 3 months we start the gentle process of training.
What is something that is important to know about rehabilitating wild Mustangs?
You have to have 6 foot high fencing which is very sturdy. These horses are wild. You can’t touch them. It takes a lot of time. They will protect themselves. You have to have horse experience. Horses have been around for 55 million years and they pick up everything. If you are nervous they will feel it.
Tell us about some of your favorite horses that you have rescued.
Sandra: They are all very special, and all different. Every horse brings a story. Not long after Max, Shyboy came along. He was originally from Utah. He was very traumatized and it took me a very long time to get close to him, in fact I was very close to giving up. Thank goodness I did not. The bond I have with that horses is so strong now. If I were to call his name he will always come to me and leave the herd. He will follow me around.
Mike: Katie as abused before she arrived here. She is very challenging but she and I have a strong bond. These horses all bring something very unique to a relationship.
Wolfie: One evening I was walking Frosty though a narrow path. He leaned his head on why shoulder. I leaned into him. This was so very special for me as it had been a difficult day. He wouldn’t let me touch his head, butt he chose to put his head on my shoulder. We found a good home for Frosty in Europe and I just cried and cried saying goodbye to him at the airport.
Sandra: Then there was Sunshine. When the Mustangs are out in the wild in their herds they have people that photograph them as part of their personal passions. One of the photographers favorite mares was rounded up and she didn’t know which shelter she was taken to. She did some research and a trainer found that she had been to Colorado with her baby. The trainer sent pictures to me (Sandra) and I called the facility and asked them to send Sunshine to me. Unfortunately they had already taken Sunshine’s baby away from her which resulted in Sunshine turning very aggressive. Sunshine was so heartbroken and had so much hate towards people at this point. When she arrived at WMR I looked into her eyes and just let her be. For a long time I would just sit with her and she started to relax. She now lives a very happy life in Germany but people failed that horse. They get so traumatized hen rounded up and when their babies are separated from them. And when they get sent off to the wrong humans they invariably land in the kill pen.
Can you tell us something about Mustangs that people may not know?
Mustangs came to the USA from Spain in 1400-1500’s. The Mustangs that run wild out West are descendants of those.
How do you go about adopting a Mustang?
You can adopt them through BLM for $125, but you must have been approved by the government, have the right fencing etc. These are wild animals, you have to understand that. They must stay a year at your place before you get their papers. You can also adopt through the Mustang Heritage Program. These Mustangs will be trained to a certain point. The BLM still keeps the papers for a year and will check on their living arrangements.
What can people expect to do if they visit WMR?
We have a lot of different opportunities for visitors to WMR to interact with the Mustangs. One a month we hold “Saturday on the Ranch” which is an opportunity to spend the day with us connecting with the Mustangs. We also have Clinics and Workshops where you will learn to connect with a wild Mustang, learn how to build trust and read a wild Mustang, as well as how to reflect and lead. We also have golf on the ranch and hold numerous golf coaching opportunities through the year. We do Corporate team building and leadership training as well as educational sessions for schools.
How can the average person help Mustangs?
Spread awareness of how Mustangs are rounded up and sent to shelters. Follow WMR on social media and sign up for newsletters. All donations go directly to helping Mustangs.
What do you want the community to know about WMR?
There is a very serious problem in the USA. In other countries there is so much respect for the American Mustang. These animals can teach people so much. The trust from a Mustang is incredible and when you truly connect with it it is indescribable. BLM is trying to do a good job. WMR is trying to educate people about wild Mustangs. Donations are always needed. Please share the mission, advocate for Mustangs, and be aware of what is going on.