A local 9-year old boy is training a wild mustang. I marvel at the sight of this 9-year boy next to a brawny power horse.

Innocence and dedication pierce through the barriers of fear and bulk.

The training began mid-March as part of the Youth Mustang Challenge.

The challenge was open to youths age 8-18. To participate, the kids needed to fill out an application and write an essay. If approved, the youth would be allowed to pick up a yearling Mustang and train it for 90 days. Once the 90-day period was done, horse and trainer would be tested on handling.

At this time the youths also can chose if they’d like to adopt the mustang.

The mustang horses are descendants of wild horses. In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act was passed to place these 4-leggd critters under federal jurisdiction as living symbols of the historic and pioneering spirit of Americans. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) are in charge of preserving and protecting the wild horses, however they are also required to maintain animal levels that achieve a balance on the ecology.

When populations exceed the capacity of their habitat, the BLM kicks into action and remove animals from the range and place them in suitable homes. The challenge prepares the mustang for adoption through training.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
⁸ He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
⁹ He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
¹⁰ His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
¹¹ but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Ps 147