Wild Horses and Rewriting Stories
Over the last decade I have essentially, voluntarily (and only figuratively, fortunately) been dragged away by wild horses.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without their influence in my life. And I was not just influenced by any wild horses… but by American mustangs. They have taken on such a lead role in my life that lately I’ve come to reflect on my own story and wonder, what if mustangs are actually the main character?
What if my purpose on this planet is to support them in their hero’s journey?
At least, those are the kinds of things you start to wonder when you spend so much time with horses, and so much time contemplating what it means to be wild in a world that has become increasingly domestic.
And so in episode #11 Wild Horses and Rewriting Stories I talk all about what I’ve come to find about the American mustang’s heroes journey - and how they could use not just my support, but yours too, as we explore solutions to managing them on the range and better tending to them in the domestic realm.
Now, all that said - I have some big announcements!
First off, I’m self publishing a book, called What We Tame. It is a collection of stories on gentling wild horses (which was the catalyst for my being “dragged away by wild horses”). Who knew that I would ever self publish a book?! Let alone that it could be so much less daunting than you’d think (thanks to print on demand and e-books).
Stay tuned as I’ll be offering a pre-sale of the book on the horizon with some very special bonuses. Herd Members will also get first access and discounts, so keep an eye on your inboxes.
Second, I’m extra excited to announce the launch of a project that’s been in the works for years. As my business began gentling mustangs, and my research during my Master’s program was focused on wild horses, I knew I had to “make something” from the lessons I learned interacting with them, and “do something” with this passion that I couldn’t shake.
So I created The Wild Side, part Archive of resources all about American mustangs, and part Community providing a space for people who love them to come together. The Wild Side was born because I didn’t just want to have conversations about wild horses or host an online community for people who work with them; I want to bring us closer. And I don’t just want to research wild horses; I want to educate people about why they matter.
The controversy kicked up by wild horses is just as stirring as the romantic imagery of horses galloping freely that comes to mind when we think of them. And just like the so-called “problem horse” who is sent off for training - wild horses caught up in the controversy are not the problem themselves, but rather they are caught up in our drama. While I don’t have the answers, or solutions to the wild horse controversy, I do have a relentless resolve to search for truths. And what I’ve found is that means being open to truly listening to every perspective - no matter how different it is from my own.
All that said, I invite you to join me at The Wild Side Community, where we can really nerd out about all things American mustangs - because it’s just me on my soapbox here. And I want to hear from you, truly. I hope to take a walk with you on The Wild Side. And at the end of the day, I hope that by coming together we can get even one step closer to making the world a better place for horses, whether wild, tame, or anywhere in between.
