The Equine Alliance Team at Shaking Wind Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Your Donation Will Help Us Help More Wild Equines!

2010-10-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

Shaking Wind Ranch is an educational project of the New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association (NMMBA).

NMMBA is the New Mexico chapter of the American Mustang and Burro Association, a 501 c - 3 non profit organization.
Your donation helps us continue our important initiatives that help to improve wild equine management and save wild horses.

Please send your fully tax deductible contribution to:

New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association
7 Avenida Vista Grande, 7 B - 259
Santa Fe, NM 87508

New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association Tax ID # 31-04023
American Mustang & Burro Association Federal EIN 74-2382575

Wild Horse Sanctuary in New Mexico

2010-10-15T12:51:00.001-07:00

In January of 2010, NMMBA's proposal to the State of New Mexico, offered innovative community based services to engage wild equines in our community. Based on our experience and success with the Transition Training(R) process, we concluded that mustangs can partner with us to enhance education, eco-system management and provide therapeutic support for special needs adults and children. Our proposal went to NM Governor Richardson in January of 2010, received immediate interest, and we were asked to search for a location.

In mid September 2010, I was honored to be one of the guests at the Governor's Press conference, unveiling the 12,000 acre Cerrillos Hills State Park Expansion and Wild Horse Sanctuary that would have provided 6,000 acres for free roaming horses and a visitors center will host adoption and pre-adoption training for horse that can meet, greet and engage with people who might find their perfect equine partner at the Park Sanctuary plus 6,000 acres for recreational hiking and riding trails.
Although the purchase price was modest political and public comments, in a highly charged political climate, were unsupportive, although hardly representative of the wide scale support and the plan was scrapped in late December.

We are grateful for all the people who support sanctuary and for all those who are individually and collectively committed to ensuring safe, sustainable, and compassionate solutions for management of 32,000 wild equine currently in BLM corrals. We also honor those groups that work tirelessly to support those horses remaining on public lands, in hopes that they can live peacefully in nature without harassment or harm.

NMMBA is seeking an alternative site in NM for a sanctuary and also for a training center where girls and women can work with the horses. If you have or know of someone who would be willing to sponsor our program by providing a site for our operation, please contact Alicia Natiion at 505 629 2130 or email us at nnmustsangs@gmail.com

Here's an overview of our work so far on behalf of wild horses . . . Please consider a donation to help support our programs.

April 2009
Initial visit to BLM corrals and commitment to three wild horses: two adopted and one purchased

May 2009
Three wild horses made their home in Santa Fe and became the core of the Transition T raining program Development and Shaking Wind Ranch was named for “Breeze” a former herd sire that now resides at SWR.

June – October 2009
Alicia Nation developed the facility design and training model that is effective for helping wild equines adjust to domestication.

June- November 2009
Photographer Anne Martinez completes a photo portfolio for promoting mustangs as partners for women and children

Jay Fishback photo documents the training process for the horses at Shaking wind Ranch. Calypso becomes the organization’s poster horse and is a naturally talented photographic model.

July 2009
www.shakingwindranch.com and www.nmmba.org websites are launched

July 2009
Mustang Calypso works under saddle.

August 2009
NMMBA is officially established as a chapter of the American Mustang & Burro Association

September 2009
Executive Director Alicia Nation’s article, Horses as Teachers and Spiritual Healers was featured in Santa Fe Sun Monthly Magazine

October 2009
NMMBA attends the Northern Rio Grande Heritage Foundation meeting and begins networking with local and government agencies for development of a wild horse sanctuary in New Mexico.

October 2009
NMMBA and Shaking Wind Ranch host the first Hug – A- Mustang Day
Kahuna and Calypso welcome youth from Northern Stars 4-H group and prove themselves to be ready and prepared for their roles as Mustang Ambassadors.

November 2009
NMMBA’s president was featured in the Santa Fe Reporter’s article on Issues facing Horses in New Mexico.

November 2009
Photographer Jay Fishback and Alicia Nation visit the Colorado BLM Facility on a photo journalistic visit to complete Jay’s documentary of NMMBA’s Transition Training program.

December 2009
Alicia Nation, in collaboration with NMMBA’s board of directors and advisors began development of a Wild Horse Sanctuary Proposal for New Mexico

2010

January 2010

NMMBA’s Wild Horse Sanctuary Proposal was received by Governor Richardson
NMMBA presents at the Northern New Mexico Horseman’s Association

January 2010- July 2010

NMBMA worked extensively with state and local governments on development of further programs for the Sanctuary and wild horse initiatives.

April 2010

Governor Bill Richardson announces development plans for a wild equine preserve in New Mexico.

May 2010

NMMBA meeting with Governor Richardson
NMMBA president Alicia Nation, secretary Sharon Zagers, and advisors Dr. Mike Callahan and Lindsay Robinson meet with Governor Richardson in h is office to discuss wild horse sanctuary development, NMMBA presents Governor Richardson with a gift photograph from Jay Fishback’s documentary series.

May 2010

Jay Fishback’s photo documentary opens at the CSF gallery
Jay’s exhibit, The Unforgotten Love, is a featured exhibit at the CSF
fine arts gallery from May to August 2010.

May 2010

NMMBA featured in Santa Fe Reporter Article
Santa Fe Reporter covers the initiatives of NMMBA and other equine advocacy groups on behalf of wild equine program development.

MAY 2010

Wild Equine Enhanced Education
NMMBA meets with area schools to explore Wild Equine Enhanced Curriculum an in school equine assisted life skills learning
June 2010

NMMBA’s Mustang Ambassadors Attend Horse Expo
Kahuna and Calypso spend the weekend in Edgewood, greeting
families and children at the Hammers and Hooves Horse Expo. they are perfect
Mustang Ambassadors.

June – August 2010
NMMBA meets with local schools
NMMBA meets with local teachers and schools to develop equine enhanced curriculum and learning for special needs and elementary students.

June/July 2010

Kahuna goes to the School of Higher Learning
Kahuna attends a Linda Tellington Jones T TEAM weeklong seminar and held his own, staying calm and settling an 18-hand warmbood when he became fearful and began to spook at group training. Kahuna made lots of friends in the group and Linda had positive comments for the Transition Training® process. “I was impressed with the work (*transition training) Kahuna in preparation for saddling.”

August 2010
NMMBA feature article appears in Hoofprints Magazine
NMMBA’s feature article in the Journal of the American Mustang & Burro Association

August 2010
NMMBA holds its first official fund raiser,
With the help of coordinator Shelley Greene, and support of the Northern New Mexico Horseman’s Association, NMMBA presents an ACTHA trail ride at the Caja Del Rio

September 2010

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES WILD HORSE SANCTUARY!

Our year and a half of work paid off when Governor Richardson unveiled the first state park wild horse sanctuary in the United States, the Cerrillos Hills State Park Expansion and Wild Horse Sanctuary. At a mid September press conference, the Governor discussed features of the sanctuary and acknowleged NMMBA’s Executive Director, Alicia Nation, and two other New Mexico wild horse advocates for their efforts on behalf of mustangs.

October 2010

NMMBA welcomes Dr. Michael Callahan, DVM and wild equine specialist to our board of directors as veterinary advisor in sanctuary planning and development. As a service provider to NMMBA, Dr. Callahan will be a non voting member of the Board of Directors.

NMMBA welcomes Richard Beal, of Lamy, NM, to the Board of Directors. Richard has extensive experience in the non profit sector, is an avid horseman and along with is wife, Kathy, is a philanthropist supporting causes that make the world a better place. We are delighted to have Richard join us as we enter this exciting time.

NMMBA welcomes Kirsten Henry to the Board of Advisors. Kirsten is a Level 3 Tellington Touch practitioner, who has worked closely in the T Touch organization since 1989. Kirsten is an expert horsewoman, trainer and educator. We are delighted to have her offer her specialized expertise as we go forward to make the world a safer place for wild equines.

NMMBA met with Sarah Wood, manager of the Cerrillos Hills State Park in an informal discussion about park development and sanctuary planning. The Parks Department will be holding forums in the future to draw input from the public on the future plans for the Park. NMMBA will work collaboratively with the park and the local community to get public feedback and assist the parks department.

The Power of the Compassionate Heart: Horses as Spiritual Teachers and Healers

2009-12-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

September 2009's issue of the Santa Fe Sun Monthly was dedicated, cover to cover, to horses. Several articles on wild horses and a feature article on Horses & Healing by Shaking Wind Ranch and New Mexico Mustang & Burro founder, Alicia Nation, helped to bring issues and opportunities with horses to the forefront. We're gratified that the publishers of Santa Fe's periodicals give the isses facing horses excellent coverage.

read The Power of the Compassionate Heart: Horses as Spiritual Teachers & Healers
by Alicia Nation

click here to view the entire Sun Monthly issue: Horses!

Imperiled Icons: Santa Fe Reporter

2009-12-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

The Santa Fe Reporter's article on issues facing wild horses in New Mexico and the US is worth reading. You'll learn more about Shaking Wind Ranch and New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association's founder, Alicia Nation, and her introduction to wild horses.
Click here to read "Imperiled Icons"

Workshop Schedule

2009-08-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Shaking Wind Ranch
Classes & Workshops
This fall - winter season, while we are focussing on sanctuary and eco-educational initiatives, we will not have a selection of offerings until spring, 2011
Check back for our 2011 Schedule
for more information go to: www.shakingwindranch.com

to register call: 505-466-3240 or e-mail: equineashram at gmail.com

Transitioning Wild Horses To Domestication

Dramatic photographs of wild horses running and fighting discourage adoptions and lead people to incorrectly presume that mustangs are inherently violent or dangerous. Come and meet some newly adopted wild horses. Hear their stories and learn about their progress. Learn how facility design, care, and handling help the horses become acclimated to a domestic environment. Thousands of beautiful, cooperative, and willing American Mustangs live in holding pens at BLM facilities, awaiting adoption. Many are gentle enough to halter and lead away. The BLM and other mustang support organizations now offer incentives for New Mexico residents. Your mustang may be eligible for 90 days of professional training at no cost to you. Other incentive programs include a BLM issued $500.00 rebate at the end the your first year. Discover the true nature and spirit of the wild horse! Shaking Wind Ranch, Santa Fe

Equine Alliance Team Training Level I : Enhancing the Equine Alliance Through Animal Communication

Two Day Workshop 9:00am - 4:30pm

Horses are prey animals. They are natural collaborators for whom cooperation and clearly defined leadership within the herd insures safety and survival. The Equine Alliance Team Method is a system for building highly effective horse- human relationships that improve performance and enjoyment for both horse and human. The Equine Alliance Team Method explores human leadership without dominance and develops trusting collaboration without force. This allows the horse to fully engage in a willing alliance with a human in the role of a cooperative, intelligent partner. You will:
• Learn to redirect inappropriate or undesirable behaviors
• Learn to focus and quiet your mind so your horse can relax and receive clear direction
• Enjoy exercises and visualizations, learn to soften your gaze, and learn to open your heart for increased receptivity to horses
• Encourage awareness, understanding and trust in your horse
• Utilize your own natural intuitive abilities to listen to and speak with your horse
• Develop a deeper appreciation of your horse’s character, personality, abilities and gifts
• Learn skills to help your horse improve his/her attitude, cooperation and performance ability
This two-day course is designed to enhance non-violent communication skills and improve the effectiveness of the training methods that you currently use. You will practice hearing and speaking to your horse(s) and learn from demonstrations on how you can utilize intuited information to help improve your horses’ attitude, performance, athletic ability, behavior and willingness. Handling techniques that support clear communication and safe interaction will be demonstrated and you will leave the workshop prepared to hone your new skills towards developing a better and more pleasurable horse-human partnership. Bring paper and a clipboard w/pen, a closed container of water (refills available), bag lunch, photos of your horse or animal family. Please come fragrance free.

Natural Feeding & Holistic Horse Care

Confused about selecting the best hay and supplements for your horse? Explore hay samples and learn about small acreage-natural horse keeping with instructors Alicia Nation and Luis Romero. Ag instructor and hay expert, Luis Romero will discuss quality, types of grasses/forage, climate and regional influences, and discuss laboratory analyses relative to food value in different hay and forage. Find out how natural supplements and natural horse-keeping build a strong immune system and maintain digestive health. The course will address colic prevention, causes and issues regarding medical intervention including surgery, and natural vs. medical treatments to promote digestive health and longevity. Learn how natural feed protocols to maintain optimum health, correct weight and conditioning and add years to your horse’s life. This class provides practical information to support a natural feeding and care program to keep your horse active, healthy, fit and in optimum condition. Shaking Wind Ranch, Santa Fe

Care and Feeding of the Older Horse

Weight loss and poor body condition are often attributed to the process of aging. In reality, this loss of condition is usually a function of slow starvation when nutritional protocols fall short of meeting the changing needs of older horses. While older some horses respond well to senior feeds, these highly concentrated feeds can challenge internal organs such as pancreas, kidney and liver and many horses on these formulas continue to decline. Dental care can be a factor, however more often, the quality of nutrients available in formula feeds does not allow for adequate absorption of nutrients. Switching to a natural feeding protocol can prevent age related disease and help restore health. This course presents information on supplement and feeding options for older horses to help them be healthy, fit, and active through the winter months and in their later years.

Inter-species Communication: A Model for Creating Peace
Equine Facilitated Counseling and Expressive Arts Workshop

In this transformational one day workshop, you will experience the power and insights that horses bring to our journey of growth and self healing. Through facilitated group interaction, art and equine experiential group counseling, you will find harmony and balance to resonate peace in your world and create peace in your relationships and world.

This workshop explores the role of communication, using the model of inter-species communication as a model for developing congruence, integrity, and heart centered relationships. We extend this to non-violence within ourselves, between members of families and community/global relationships. Our process involves interactive experiences within a group, individual and group exercises/experiences with horses, safety agreements, individual art /creative expressive arts activities as a means of improving self-awareness and communication. By validating ourselves, and our reality, specifically in developing and nurturing self-awareness and sensitivity to others, we model principles of congruence, right action, and personal/spiritual empowerment as tools for working in the world and promoting peace and goodwill. Therefore, we practice heart-centered communication throughout the day, and by inventorying our own feelings, awareness, thoughts and beliefs we own and affirm our authentic feelings and experiences in a supportive, affirming environment. Limit 6 participants.

Northern Stars 4-H Club
And
New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association
Hug - A - Mustang

Kids Ages 9-18 and Parents to
HUG-A-MUSTANG
Learn how friendly and kind wild horses are when we treat them kindly.
Wild horses are usually pictured running and fighting but here’s the real truth!
They are sweet, gentle, smart, Smarter, Smartest -- and kind. See for yourself how friendly and well behaved they are and how willing they are to partner with people. This is a good Q& A opportunity for our Adopt a Trained or Untrained Mustang and our Youth-Yearling Adoption programs.

About Mustang Incentive Programs
The following information includes programs that are offered by the New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association, by Shaking Wind Ranch, the BLM or other non-profit organizations. This information is an overview. Be aware that:

• They may have specific rules and fine print.
• Some restrict the color of your horses to solid colors such as bays, chestnut/sorrel, browns, blacks, which are most common.
• Others require that you pick up your horse from a particular facility
• All require an approved BLM Adoption Application

The New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association may be able to facilitate in making arrangements with the BLM for transportation or finding a nearby location for a facility for horse selection. The New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association, in cooperation with Shaking Wind Ranch, offers educational classes and workshops to help you have a successful experience with your own mustang.

Mustang & Domestic Equine Education Incentives
Shaking Wind Ranch and The New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association offer extensive courses and workshops to help you safely and successfully adopt, train and bring your mustang into full partnership with you. Browse the course offerings at www.shakingwindranch.com/education/workshops to see the full list of offerings.

Adoption Incentive Rates apply to all group classes and workshops. Inquire about arranging private training and consultations, or special presentations for your club or group.

Adoption Incentives

Adopt a Mustang Rebate for New Mexico
New Mexico Residents qualify for the BLM $500.00 adoption rebate. Adopt a BLM horse for the standard adoption fee of $125.00 and the BLM will rebate five hundred dollars when you take permanent ownership at the end of one year.
6 foot fencing, minimum 400 square feet – 20x20 enclosure and shelter are required.
http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html

Youth with Parental Permission and Adults
Adopt A Mustang of a solid color and you may receive 90 days free training for your horses. Adoption fee $125.00. All other BLM regulations apply, including 6 foot high fencing, 20x20 minimum enclosure, shelter, etc., required. A cooperative project of New Mexico Mustang & Burro Association and Northern Stars 4-H Club. Training provided with the sponsorship of the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Contact: info@nstars4H.com

Youth Adopt a Yearling
With parental permission, youth ages 9-18 adopt a yearling mustang. Assistance is provided in gentling and handling the young horse during a 90--day trial period. After 90 days, the youth and family can be formalized the adoption or decline the adoption. A $200 care/feed stipend is provided during the 90 days. If the adoption is completed, the youth and yearling participate in a show-and-tell event with other young people and may qualify to receive awards, gifts, scholarships or other incentives towards continued work with his/her yearling. Suitable facility for the young horse is required, including shelter and 5 foot high safe fencing and a minimum space of 20x20 feet.
Adoption fee: $25.00

Adopt a Halter or Saddle Trained Mustang
This is not actually an incentive program, but is just as good, in my opinion. The Colorado Correctional Institute and the BLM Wild Horse facility, outside Boulder holds 2,000 mustangs. Their wild horse inmate program trains mustangs to halter for nominal additional fees. Saddle trained horses cost more, but are still very competitively priced for well-trained horses. To view adoptable horses with training, visit: http://www.coloradoci.com/

Contact us to arrange a guest presentation about mustangs, a special workshop, or tour of Shaking Wind Ranch for your club or organization. Donations to the New Mexico Mustang and Burro Association www.nmmba.org are tax deductible and appreciated.