Fawcett Mustangs

This used to be Boo's page, but we've since added to our "herd".  We now have a couple of Kiger Mustangs, Myschief and Monday. 

Boo is still my best man.  He is getting better with age, he's about 16 now.  Hard to believe I've had him for 10 years.  He is constantly inquired about and we've had to put a "not for sale" sign on his stall.  That way, people already know.  I have to admit, if I saw him I'd ask if he was for sale.  I can't blame anyone, he is handsome.  (Coming from a completely biased owner)

Boo has become part of the high school equestrian team.  Last year KT used him for showmanship and in hand trail courses.  This coming year she will get to ride him in events.  She wants to do team penning and some gaming.  He got to visit Oregon State and get 30 days training from Eleesa, a student of OSU's equestrian program.  He benefited a lot from that.  She took him on several trail rides, over bridges, through water, arena work.  He's doing great.  He is still our babysitter horse, allowing anyone to take lessons on him.  Nephews and nieces, friends, sisters and even a dog.  He is just so gentle, he's great with any kids.  But he has sass and is pretty hard headed, as KT is finding out.   Hard to believe he was a wild mustang.  I couldn't ask for a better horse.

 
 

Nightfall is our newest addition to our family.  He has quite a story.  Click on his picture to be taken to his page.

 

We got Myschief, a Kiger Mustang, from Darla (from Strawberry Mountain Mustangs) who had sent out a letter about two mares and how they needed a home....and pronto.  Darla was maxed out with horses at her place so Mike and I talked about it and emailed her back.  We drove down within a week and picked up both mares.  They loaded into the trailer without hesitation, trailered like angels and unloaded without problems.  They have been great.  We found a home for Mystery with a gal named Jesse in Redmond.  She is doing wonderfully and Jesse loves her.

RIDDLE MNT MYSCHIEF: Myschief, is a bay, but a milk chocolate in color (we aren't sure what to call her color exactly, but she's beautiful) with two white socks and a snip or white on her nose.  She is 4yrs old.  Sire: Wild RIDDLE HMA, Dam: MK KIGER MYSTERY. Foaled 2004.

 

RIDDLE ON MONDAY:  Born 07-17-06 sometime early morning.  No one witnessed his birth, he was at his mother's side for breakfast.  We will update often.  We even have video clips - coming soon.    Sire: KIGER CIMARRON RAY, Dam: MK KIGER MYSTERY Foaled 2006

He's our 2 yo old in every definition of the word.  We have been spending so much time at the barn that I've been working with him a lot more.  Even though he's only 2 (and a half) he's bored just walking over things and frankly, we've run out of things for him to walk over.  He has been saddled a few times.  The first time he wasn't so sure and bucked like a bronco from a rodeo.  It was really fun to watch.  The second time he was tied to the hitching rail, I groomed him, saddled him and he just plain stood there.  I led him to the round pen and he exercised like it was nothing.  I'll be trying a bit on him soon, and eventually driving him.

Monday is for sale and we have many more pictures of him.  Please check out his video on his own page: http://www.leakyfawcett.com/home/monday.htm  

 

These are pictures of when he was just hours old.

 

More about Kiger Mustangs:

Kiger Mustangs are amazing.  This is from the Kiger Mesteno Association website:

In 1971 the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act was passed by congress to protect all wild horses and burros on public lands.  The Bureau of Land Management was given the responsibility to protect,  manage and control these wild populations.  In order to keep the herds at manageable levels, roundups or gatherings are held periodically.   At this time they are counted, branded and examined.   Excess animals are offered for adoption to the public, and the rest are returned to the range.

In 1977, during one of these gatherings in the remote area of Beatty's Butte, Oregon, a particular kind of horse was discovered. BLM Wild Horse Specialist, E. Ron Harding, while inspecting the herd,  noticed that a number of these horses were strikingly similar in  color and conformation.  Upon closer observation, he ascertained that they carried the primitive markings of the Spanish mustangs. Mr. Harding arranged for these horses to be separated from the rest and held at the Burns district facility in Oregon.

When the BLM had completed all the gatherings for that year, a suitable area was chosen to release these animals.  To prevent losing all the horses to a natural catastrophe,  two Herd Management Areas (HMA) were selected in southeastern Oregon.  Twenty of the primitively marked horses were released in the Kiger HMA, and seven in the Riddle Mountain HMA.

Kiger Mustangs are an established breed. Spanish markers were found in their blood during genetic testing by the University of Kentucky. They carry the dominant genes which code for the primitive dun factor coloration and markings. Dun factor horses are most commonly identified as duns and grullas. Dun factor markings include: dorsal stripe, jack stripe, zebra stripes on legs, arm bars, bicolored mane and tail, ears with dark outline and fawn colored interior, facial mask and cobwebbing.

The Kiger Mustang is slightly smaller than most breeds.  The ears are finely pointed and slightly hooked at the tip.  The head displays a broad, flat forehead, wide, prominent eyes and fine muzzle.  The body conformation of the Kiger is distinctive, with chest of good depth and width,  and the back short, broad and well muscled. Dense bone,  compact hooves and a well-crested neck round out this unique horse.