| RU Shy Anne and RU Skylark |
Sky and Shy turned out together on Sky's birthday!
(The first time since weaning!)
April 12, 2012
RU Shy Anne and RU Skylark at the 2011 Rutgers Mustang Auction
May 1, 2011
(Photo by Brianna Stafford) | RU Shy Anne
BLM Mustang
Captured from Muskrat Basin, WY on July 14, 2009
Born Summer 2008
RU Skylark
Born April 12, 2011
Intended use: Part of the equestian program at SunnySide Recreation Area (Monmouth County Park System in Middetown)
May 2012:
Sky
is weaned. We weaned her at about six months and she has several
buddies in her little herd now. Her favorite is our gelding, Te,
who really took her under his wing, so to speak. They share hay
and do lots of things together. He has been a great "uncle."
Shy is doing very well and goes out with three other mares and a gelding pony. She and her girls have a good time.
On
Sky's first birthday we had an official mother-daughter reunion.
Although they do get to visit with each other frequently over the
fence, this was the first time we turned them out together since
weaning. Sky tested out nursing and Shy finally picked up her
hind leg and let out a little squeal to say, "No more of that."
Sky got the message. They just wandered around together.
It was pretty uneventful but cute.
She
is coming along nicely in her training and as you'll see in the video,
she should make a very nice and tolerant therapy horse!
Click here to see a video of Shy!
August 3, 2011:
Hope you enjoy the following clips. Shy is doing really well and Sky is just too cute.
Sky meets the big green ball
Sky has some time with Mom
Baby Sky helps with Mom's first ride
More of Shy's first ride
Sky carries the tack
Dismounting Shy
My point of view on Shy
Sky and her ball
Shy cools off in the heat
June 13, 2011:
Shy and Sky are doing great! They have taken everything in stride and act like they have been at Sunnyside for a long time.
They
enjoy our daily training sessions and Shy is impressing us very much.
She is very trusting and willing to learn. We took them out for a walk
on our sensory trail in the woods. Both went over our wooden bridge
multiple times and had no worries about it. Their first time in the
indoor arena was uneventful even with the manure dumpster truck making
lots of noise outside. Shy may actually turn out to be a wonderful therapy horse!
We'll see :) I am so impressed with Shy's hooves and am happy to be
keeping her feet natural. Her hoof walls are so strong and thick. Just
lovely!
|
| RU Levi |
Professor Levi and some of his students.
February 3, 2012
(Photo by S. Ralston)
Enjoying a visit from Dr. Ralston
Febrary 3, 2012
(Photo by S. Ralston)
 
July 2011
(Photos by Jackie Teson)
RU Levi exercising in the roundpen before Ag Field Day.
April 30, 2011
(Photo by Jackie Teson)
|
BLM Mustang
Captured from Bald Mountain HMA near Battle Mountain, NV on January 7, 2009
Born Summer 2008
Donated as a teaching horse to New Bolton Center thanks to the generous support of Liz Durkin!
April 13, 2012:
Levi's
neurological issues have improved to such an extent that New Bolton can
no longer use him as an effective teaching horse, as the defect is now
so slight. However, Levi will remain at New Bolton Center,
courtesy of Liz Durkin. We are amazed and ecstatic to hear of
Levi's improved condition!
February 3, 2012:
Dr.
Nolen-Walston is ecstatic with Levi! They had a bit of a problem
catching him earlier in January when he had been happily running
free over the winter break, but he is now back into the swing of
things and is apparently taking his teaching duties
quite seriously. She also said his "disability" is
dramatically improved! His gait deficits, etc are barely
noticeable, so he presents a good diagnostic challenge to the vet
students.
Levi
has decided he needs to "wash" his feet in the automatic waterers
almost on a daily basis, much to the dismay of the staff. We need
someone to donate a wading pool for him! Dr. Sue McDonnnell, the
behavior expert at New Bolton Center, explained that this is normal
behavior for mustangs- it is how they keep their hooves clean and in
good health! He has also decided the mare they use to tease the
stallions ("Jump mare" )
is HIS harem member -no other horses allowed to be near her when they are out
together. Thank goodness that does not extend to people, so they can still
get her out without a problem. But they did have to stop putting other horses
out with them!
Levi
remains friendly and people-oriented. After hearing Dr.
Ralston's voice, he was waiting eagerly at the stall door to greet her,
and he sniffed and nuzzled her when she entered the stall.
We are thrilled with Levi's success as a teaching horse and the
improvement in his gaits. Thanks again to Liz Durkin for
providing him with this chance!
July 25, 2011:
I just got back from visiting Levi at New Bolton!!! I'm happy to report
that he looks very good and seems to be very content. He is living with
Fat Betty, a 14 year old mare and Zelda, a miniature donkey. Apparently
he is getting along QUITE well with Fat Betty ; ) They have a paddock
about the size of maybe two thirds of the Rutgers paddocks, but plenty
of grass to go around. They also have a very large indoor space-- it is
basically two of the quarantine stalls put together. It sounds like
Levi has quieted down a bit since arriving at New Bolton. I asked if he
played a lot and they said that he will usually play in the morning but
will quiet down for most of the rest the day (it is hot, after all!).
The entire time I was there, he and Fat Betty were just lounging around
inside while Zelda grazed outside. I got to go in and scratch him for a
little while, and he definitely still has the same itchy spots around
his face and ears (I feel a little bad for Mark Lewis, because at this
point I got a bit emotional, woops). All in all, Levi seemed very well
taken care of, very happy and relaxed with life at New Bolton. It was
definitely sad to leave, but Mark said I could come back so I am
thinking I will try to visit again before school starts. He let me take a
few pictures, which I attached. Levi was sweating very slightly, which
I think was causing some of the splotchy spots on his coat. The yellow
band is an ID band.
- Jackie
June 16, 2011:
Levi
is doing fine, turned out with Fat Betty, a mare who was donated a
few years ago. He's being very sweet and enjoying his life of
leisure!
|
| RU Santana | 
Tanner enjoying his new digs! (Clearly after a good roll!)
April, 2012
(Photo by Carly Painter)
Excelling at his new career in dressage!
April 2012
(Photo by Carly Painter)
RU Santana showing off his skills at the 2011 Rutgers Mustang Auction
May 1, 2011
(Photo by Brianna Stafford) | BLM Mustang
Captured from Callaghan HMA, NV on January 5, 2009
Born Summer 2008
Intended use: Dressage
July 7, 2011:
I just wanted to bring you up-to-speed on "RU Santana's" progress. He
has been backed several times recently, by a young lady who is both, a
soft & quiet rider. We lunged him and long-lined him for many weeks
in preparation, and I think we both knew that backing him would be a
"non-event."
Anyway, I continue to board him at a friend's local barn, where I take
care of his needs, twice a day. Thus far, he has learned to be
fly-sprayed regularly, groomed and hosed. Your team has really done an
EXCELLENT job of domesticating these Mustangs - Love him!!!!
I will continue to keep you apprised of Santana's progress and thank you again for this amazing opportunity. | | RU Sassafras | 
RU Sassafras at the 2011 Rutgers Mustang Auction
May 1, 2011
(Photo by Brianna Stafford) | BLM Mustang
Captured from Beattys Butte HMA, OR on September 18, 2009
Born Summer 2009
June 20, 2011:
Sassy is wonderful!! I really enjoy working with her. She is so curious
but very sensible. Art really likes her. He is working on trimming her
feet. She is getting better but has a way to go before my farrier should trim her. | | RU Koda | 
He's a big boy now!
June 2011
Koda with his new herdmate Meg
June 2011
RU Koda at the 2011 Rutgers Mustang Auction
May 1, 2011
(Photo by Brianna Stafford) | BLM Mustang
Captured from Callaghan HMA, NV on January 6, 2009
Born Summer 2008
July 25, 2011:
I am very happy to let you know Koda is back home in Howell, after being
the little star at Jose's barn for the past two months. Jose has
ridden Koda almost ten times already, and was flabbergasted (literally)
at how fast Koda picked up on how to come down into the bit and give a
slight inside bend when asked. I have gotten on him once and he is so
much fun to ride! Jose has made it very clear to me that he would love
to "ride Koda everyday for the rest of [his] life." Koda is attached at
the hip to Meg, my Belgian draft cross, who adores him as well. Now
that we are home, Jose will be coming down occasionally to work with us
and keep us on the right track. He is also going to have his French
trainer give me a lesson with Meg and Koda every three months while he
is in the US. I am also looking at Jaime Topinka Nunn (Melissa Reese's
trainer) for giving us dressage lessons, since it is very apparent Koda
is made for it. |
Equine Science Center
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For questions about the program or website, please contact Dr. Sarah Ralson at ralston@aesop.rutgers.edu
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