Hope I’m not too late to the party 
I got my mustang a little less than three years ago. He was two years old and I saw him on Craigslist. He was being sold by a licensed BLM holding facility on the east coast (they send the ones who don’t get bought in the online auctions out here to be sold) He could be haltered but did not know how to lead. When I went to look at him the woman had tied him to a post, even though he was not halter broken he was gentle enough to know not to fight.
He immediately stole my heart and I took him home with me. I paid 100$.
He was 14 hands even at the time and I assumed I would put some training on him and then he would go be a kids pony.
Now, I have a lot of experience with young horses but I had never broken one. I was probably vastly underprepared for this task but I did it anyways, and I am so glad i did. I taught him everything, from how to tie and lead to how to pick up his feet, etc. After just a week of being there he was happy to be caught and about two weeks later could be brushed all over and hooves picked. I took it slow with him since he was young but he was so, so easy. He never threatened to do anything rude. He loved human attention and would go over to people to get petted. A month of being with me and he could be saddled, blanketed, walked over tarps, reliably led around, lunged, etc. He could be trusted with children, dogs, etc. He likes to open doors and invade the hay room. He never pushes fences and has never destroyed a blanket. He is the easiest baby I have ever worked with, and very calm. He does everything I ask him to do like he has done it a million times.
Breaking him was the easiest thing ever. I just got on. He stood there and then we walked off.
He hasn’t had as much training as I would like because he shot up from 14 hands to 15 hands, and changed shape drastically. Plus he has a lot of Spanish blood in him so I wanted him to grow up a little before I pushed him. But now I am working him more and I am amazed by how wonderful he is.
Last week I rode him for the first time after his two month ‘winter break’. I just got on, no lunging required, and rode him in a busy indoor arena, in 30 degree weather, without him batting an eye. No shenannegans, no little bucks, no trying to gallop off with me. He behaves better than my 17 year old. Someone asked be how old he was and when I said five they couldn’t believe it.
I found a gem. I would not hesitate to buy another mustang, and if you or anyone else want some pointers on some of the ‘weird things’ mustangs come with at first let me know.
I’ve got one. He is 13 this year, wow! I got him when he was 5.
People are probably sick of my story, but I’ll share anyway.
I got Mac from the guy who got him from the BLM. The guy I bought him from used him as a back-woods hunting pack horse.
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When I got him you could sit on him and ride him straight and go down the trail, but I was really stealing rides on him and he knew almost nothing. So we started back at the beginning.
He is the most excellent trail horse. Not really scared of anything…hikers, bikers, dogs, llamas (like 20 of them wearing packs!), deer, coyote, bear, elk, ducks flying up from the water, cows, whatever.
I’ve done a bit of dressage and a teeny bit of jumping with him (though we do jump creeks if we have to go I guess that counts), though our favorite thing to do together is trails.
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He was a tough nut and still can be. Tough-minded. Doesn’t give in easily. Most everything starts with a battle of wills (I say that sort of tongue-in-cheek, but he does start every day with a “who’s the boss” type of attitude, though he gives in). He doesn’t like everyone. I’ve had some people say he’s sweet but that’s only because he likes them.
He was a very challenging horse for me and having him improved my horsemanship tremendously. I haven’t ridden either of my horses too much in the past year because of hip issues for me, but now I’m starting to get more saddle time and am feeling better so I’m hoping for a good summer.
Glad to read that you’re able to get back into the saddle more pocket pony. I rode both of mine today which always brightens my day. I took my mustang out on the trail alone. We found a new one that we hadn’t done before and saw a lot of wildlife. Like your’s he’s rock solid. We flushed out a herd of mule deer who were laying down and he just plowed through them. We trotted and cantered for much of the trail - so much fun. I rode the coming 4 year old in my new arena. We walked, trotted and cantered both directions. He picked up the correct lead every time too. He’s smart like his sire and your gal. My mustang certainly can be stubborn and while he usually gives me a “you want me to do what? Um I don’t think I know that language…” sort of thing whenever it’s something other than trail riding, he’s not a real fighter. The minute I impress upon him that the boss mare said so, he just puts down his head and gets to work. He’s been a lot of fun. He too doesn’t like everybody but he sure likes us. I did have two different people (trail) ride him last weekend (a different person each day) while I rode my pony (not stinker but Junior) and he took care of each like they were fragile pieces of china which was good 'cause I learned afterwards that one of them is pregnant. He’s ticked everything off my wish list for a ‘second horse’ so it’s all good. Hope we’re still together when he hits 13. He’s coming 7 now.
I am enjoy all of these stories and experiences so much.
Tentatively it looks like I’ll be getting my boy on the 24.
Just an update that my mustang is here. What a sweetie! He is smart, and although everyone says he is a sweetie … and he totally is … I can see that it is going to take some time for us to bond. He is 12 and was rescued out of a kill pen in August, so other than knowing that he was captured as a yearling in Nevada (Buck and Bald area) he has no history.
