08/18/2026
Unfortunately, while the horses were evacuated from the fire they encountered both.
I've been spending the last month caring for the wounds that occurred when a mountain lion attacked Amara leading to a mad dash by the horses across 11 pasture fences.
I've always had a fear of mountain lions in the mountains. Our neighbor has caught them on video. While we were evacuated, the thought didn't even cross my mind.
Life seems to be like that--surprises us with the fears we weren't even considering which then become our reality.
If you would have asked me if I was more worried about a mountain lion or barbed wire hurting my horses before this incident, it would have been hands down the mountain lion.
The reality is, the mountain lion didn't do nearly the damage that occurred from them running through the barbed wire.
I actually considered barbed wire for our property until I talked to a vet and he said absolutely not.
I understand that sometimes that's the option we have. But I found it so interesting that we fear so many things for our horses and inadvertently create dangerous or harmful situations for them as humans because it's what's acceptable. We do this in our human world as well.
The lesson for me wasn't about barbed wire or not, but rather how many of our choices are influenced by what is acceptable to others or the norm in a culture.
There are so many practices that are harmful, but we participate in them anyway because that's what we think we are supposed to do.
We are all susceptible to this. It's a challenge in life to take the knowledge we've been given and then refine it so we can live better. Sometimes that is seeking out ancient knowledge we've forgotten which horses often guide us to.
It really is a journey of exploration. None of us have all the answers, but those of us who are observers and seekers are likely to make discoveries that help ourselves and others.
Horses have very much been this guide for me--to take a closer look at things, to try something different from what I was told was the only acceptable way.
This post isn't about whether you should use barbed wire or live in the mountains with predators, but about how you choose to approach the world and seek wisdom.
If you're building a life with horses, particularly Mustangs, there's a good chance you are a seeker.
You are one who is willing to go outside the norm and challenge the status quo. That is not without difficulty though.
I'm opening up a unique opportunity for individuals who are on this path to join me and .w.dunn from American Mustang school on the podcast for a free one-hour coaching session.
If you'd like to apply, send me a dm and I'll give you the link.
Five spots are available!
We will select individuals through a lottery system considering challenges that will allow us to help others as well as we explore the world of Mustangs and all they have to teach us.
If you'd like to bypass the lottery system, we have a paid option as well, just reach out.
