Wild Ones Tack

26/09/2022

Big news! I received Aponi’s title paperwork last week and today my vet came out to sign it! I ran that letter right over to the nearest mailbox and sent it off to the BLM. Now, I just wait for her title to come!

I can’t express how much I love this little (not so little) mustang filly. I always did an internal eye roll when people would talk about their “heart horse,” but I totally get it now. She’s the smartest horse I have ever worked with and gaining her trust throughout this process has been transformative for me as both a horsewoman and a person. I adopted her without much confidence in myself or my abilities to train a wild horse, but we have figured it all out together. I’m so proud of her and I can’t wait to get her title in the mail!

09/08/2022

Let's continue the introductions of the horses here at Wild Ones! So far, you have met the mustang that inspired us to start, but she has other friends here too.

Next up is Flynn- he is a 2-year-old Gypsy Vanner gelding. Flynn is the sweetest, most laid back guy. He would rather fall asleep in the shade than get into any trouble. He is happy to be the lowest in the equine pecking order since he has all these bossy fillies to deal with. Flynn and my mustang, Aponi, are best friends (in the second pic, they were caught lurking outside the tack room looking for treats). Flynn is also very protective of me, often putting himself in between me and the other horses if we are all sharing a space. Eventually, my plan is to teach Flynn to drive and ride when he is old enough, and potentially take him to Gypsy shows with my other Gypsy, Oona (introduction to come next)!

No matter the breed you are buying tack for, we will donate a portion of each purchase to mustang welfare, education, and advocacy organizations. I think it looks great on everyone!

02/08/2022

I would like to introduce you to the inspiration for Wild Ones: my 2 year old, wildborn filly, Aponi!

Aponi was born in the Diamond HMA in Nevada, in the summer of 2020. In September, 2020, she and 1,200 of her herdmates were gathered from the land.

For someone concerned about animal welfare, the environment, and wildlife, the care of wild mustangs creates a lot of heartbreak and fascination for me. During a time of significant change in my life, I started to wonder if I might be able to do something. Could I be a tiny part of the solution, even for just one horse?

There are many ways to adopt a mustang- you can go directly to a holding facility, you can adopt from a prison program or a TIP trainer, or follow the BLM’s Internet Auctions (IA). In May, 2021, I was looking at the IA and there she was… it was love at first sight. I felt a connection with her that I couldn't explain or stop thinking about.

I was not planning to bid. We were in the process of moving across the country at the time and, besides I was no horse trainer! Who was I to think I could take on a wild horse!? When the auction started, she got bids and I was happy that she would have a home. Then, the June IA horses were posted and there she was again! The winner from May must have passed on her!

This was it, it was meant to be. By that time, we had moved and were getting settled into our new farm. I applied to adopt and was prepared to do anything that I needed to get her. Needless to say, I won!

“Aponi” means “butterfly” in the Blackfeet language. In Blackfeet culture, butterflies bring dreams and sleep. Mothers sew butterflies into their children’s clothes and blankets as a wish for sweet dreams. She is a sweet dream come true for me and I hope that I am for her too.

Aponi is doing great and we continue on this journey everyday. I have started Wild Ones as a way to advocate and raise money for mustangs. It is one more way I want to be part of the solution.

30/07/2022

Big news, Friends! We are live! The website and are published and ready for orders.

I'm so excited to make this real. As we get going, I will add more products (I have so many ideas!) and options for customization. For now, I am ready to offer the basics- halters, leads, reins, and products for your livestock and pets in a variety of rope colors!

Wild Ones is inspired by my lifelong love of horses and a desire to advocate for the American mustang. A percentage of each purchase will be donated to a mustang-related cause AND this gives me more opportunities to brag about my incredible mustang filly, Aponi (my other horses make many appearances too).

26/07/2022

Hello from Wild Ones Tack! We are a brand new tiny business that makes handmade, custom tack in support of mustangs! As I hurry to put the finishing touches on our website and , I decided to jump the gun and introduce ourselves.

I’m Katie and I make all the custom tack around here. I share my farm with 4 equines- 2 Gypsy Vanners, a grade mare, and the inspiration for this venture- Aponi, my 2 year old wild born mustang filly. In her honor, a percentage of every purchase will be donated to mustang-related causes.

Thank you for your patience as I get Wild Ones Tack up and running. It won’t be long until I announce our official launch!

26/07/2022

26/07/2022