BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program Adoption Experiences: Life After Adoption

Meet Emily and Sarah Harris: Sisters, Trainers, and Mustang Advocates

Emily and Sarah's purpose is to spread the joy of the horse experience while broadening perspectives within the equestrian community. From training and riding to showing and traveling, they’re always on the lookout for the next great horse adventure! Finding a Home and Unique Bond with Mustangs 

Emily, tell us a little about what led you to adopt your first mustang. What was it about mustangs that called to you? 

Emily: Mustangs gave me something that I had been searching for a long time. I’ve always loved trying new things in the horse world, exploring different disciplines, and pushing myself to learn. But no matter where I went or what I did, I never felt like I found that place that felt like home. Until I found mustangs. There was something about them—their spirit, their independence—that resonated with me in a way I hadn’t experienced before. It felt like I had finally found a place where I could be truly happy and content, doing something I loved. 

It sounds like mustangs really speak to you on a deeper level. Can you share what you love most about them? 

Emily: Absolutely! Once you gain their trust, it’s like they really see you as family. They don’t just tolerate your company—they enjoy it. There’s a unique bond that forms when you connect with them. I love everything about mustangs: their intelligence, their personalities, their quirks, and even their individual physical traits. They’re so different from domesticated horses in the way they view the world. Mustangs are straight to the point—they don’t try to hide anything. You can’t help but respect their honesty. I always say that domesticated horses are book-smart, but mustangs are street-smart. They’ve got this raw, untamed wisdom that’s just fascinating. 

Lessons from Seven Mustangs and Counting 

It sounds like each mustang you’ve worked with has its own personality. How many mustangs have you adopted, and what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from them? 

Emily: Since adopting our first mustang, we’ve had seven others from the BLM. Each one has had its own personality and level of workability, ranging from easy to quite challenging. And I’ve learned so much from all of them! The biggest lesson is patience—mustangs don’t come with the same expectations or behaviors that domesticated horses do. They force you to slow down, listen, and understand their needs and boundaries. Every breakthrough with them is incredibly rewarding. There have been difficult times, but the feeling of seeing a mustang begin to trust and understand you is like nothing else. 

So, with all the challenges and rewards, how would you sum up life after adopting your first mustang? 

Emily: Life after adopting mustangs is great! I know for sure that I will always have at least one, and probably more, in my herd. I’ve found my home with them—training, connecting, and growing alongside them has become such a fulfilling part of my life. 

A Training Partnership Built on Complementary Strengths 

Sarah, you, and Emily both train mustangs, but it sounds like your approaches are a bit different. Can you share a little about how your training styles complement each other? 

Sarah: Yes! While we both train mustangs, our niches are different. Emily thrives on the saddle breaking and colt starting process, while I focus more on the finishing and discipline side of training. We’ve found that by working in these complementary areas, we can support each other and make the training process more efficient. We’ve learned to really enjoy collaborating, and it’s fun seeing how our different approaches come together to help the mustangs grow. 

That sounds like a great partnership. Emily, do you see your training journey continuing to evolve in the future? 

Emily: Absolutely! There’s always more to learn, and I’m excited to continue evolving. Each mustang brings a new challenge, and every one of them teaches me something different. I’m not done yet—there’s always room to grow, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with them. 

Advice for First-Time Adopters 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about adopting a mustang for the first time? 

Emily: My advice would be to go in with an open heart and an open mind. Be patient, take things one step at a time, and understand that they’re not going to be like any horse you’ve worked with before. They have their own unique personalities, and it’s important to respect their individual needs. Most importantly, enjoy the process. The bond you’ll form with a mustang is so special,  

A Journey of Trust and Transformation 

Emily and Sarah’s journey with mustangs is a testament to the power of patience, trust, and lifelong learning. From their first mustang to the seven they have since adopted, the sisters’ dedication to these wild horses is nothing short of inspiring.  

Whether you’re considering adoption or already have mustangs of your own, Emily and Sarah’s story reminds us that the process is just as rewarding as the outcome. 

Interested in adopting your own mustang? Learn more at BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program!