USA Adventures - Part 1

I left Australia 21st May headed for the USA in search of a Spanish Mustang stallion to bring home to Australia. After a very rough flight (mental note- never sit in the tail end of the plane!) I arrived in LA and stayed there the night before catching a flight out to Albuqurque the following day. In Albuqurque, I picked up the hire car and set out cautiously trying to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road. My lovely mother had joined me for the trip and was kindly giving me lots of encouragement as I gingerly started driving out of the airport. Her tight grip of the door handle relayed how I was feeling at the time.

At the last minute before leaving Australia, I had organised to stop by and stay one night at the Little Cayuse Ranch in New Mexico. I absolutely loved New Mexico and it stark desert scenery. Looking around I thought to myself what perfect country this was to raise horses on. The condition of the horses at the Little Cayuse Ranch confirmed this for me. On arrival we went out to the back paddocks to see some of the mares. I was awestruck at the presence and beauty of these horses. The Spanish Mustang just seem to command attention and these mares were no different.

Desi and Silver Wind rushing in to greet us

















The mares were friendly and eager for attention. They were in wonderful condition and clearly thriving in this desert environment. Tundra, the beautiful yellow dun with the bald face, held back and assessed us from a distance. She soon decided we were ok and came in for a closer inspection. She comes from Seqouyah lines and has that beautiful conformation he stamped on all his offspring. She has an ethereal energy and a reserved way about her. She commands respect without even trying and I felt humbled in her presence.

Yellow Tundra - Seqouyah x Misprint












I then noticed a beautiful roan mare named Shawnee Moon. This mare is a pure sweetheart.  She has a kind eye and the temperament to match. I stepped back and looked at her conformation. Stunning!!! She is a solid mare with a perfectly rounded hip and arched neck that allows easy self carriage. She followed us as we walked to the water trough, soft breath on my back, staying close behind me. She seemed to relish in the attention she was receiving and I was happy to oblige her!

Shawnee Moon - Azor x Lonesome Prarie



Then it was time to head back to the house and see the other horses. We pulled into the driveway and walked over to a yard beside the big barn. There were four horses in there, a dun overo mare, a bay roan mare, a chesnut sabino filly and a grulla filly.


I stared transfixed at the grulla filly and I think my jaw may also have dropped. She was absolutely stunning and her energy was light and magical. She was cautious and very sensitive but with a fire inside her that spoke of an incredible strength of character. It was immediate and without question that this filly was to come home with me. I did not even know if she was for sale at that minute but I did know that she was the one and never once faultered on that thought throughout my entire trip. She was not the stallion I had intended to bring home but life has showed me time and time again even my best laid plans will take a turn when instinct kicks in and the flow of my destined life's path steps in to take me on the journey that is meant for me this time around.

The filly's name is Grey Feather. She is cautious of people at first and likes to be approached quietly. She allowed me to stroke her face and I slowly moved down to her neck and gave her a good scratch which she seemed to enjoy. I watched her for a long time with the other horses. She was challenging Red, a lovely mare who was firm about her lead position amongst the herd. Grey Feather didn't back down and there were a few good scuffles happening amongst the pair.


Grey Feather - I'kkitsi Peta x Prarie Feather


I reluctantly left the yard and headed inside to get better aquainted with Donna, Jim and Sierra. We had a lovely evening starting with a wonderful home cooked Mexican meal. We spent alot of time talking horses and showing photos of Spanish Mustangs.

That night I didn't sleep to well as I was thinking alot about Grey Feather. I spoke to Donna the following morning about purchasing her and I then reluctantly left the ranch to start the long journey North.