Wild Rose Trainers

Young trainers and Mustangs learn from each other in a unique program.

- PAT RAIA

Denali, a Mustang yearling gelding, was greeted by a pair of youthful trainers when he arrived at the Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group facility in Wellington, Colo. They would prepare him for his new life off the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

By August of 2024, Denali and his youth trainers, Dagny Brault, 14, and Ellie Bruckert, 15, were taking part in an event to showcase the horse's newly acquired skills. While they were preparing the Mustang for his new life, the girls were learning something about themselves, too.

"Working with horses has taught me patience and perseverance-I've learned to trust my instincts and adapt my training methods to each horse and situation," Ellie says. "And I've learned to never give up, no matter how hard it gets."

The Program

Established in 2018 by experienced Mustang trainer Cayla Stone and veterinary oncologist Ruth Rose, DVM, the Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group fosters, trains and rehomes American Mustangs acquired from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, according to spokesperson Stephanie Swanson.

The Youth Trainer Program began in 2020 to provide educational opportunities for the next generation of horse trainers. Kids from 10 to 15 years old are eligible to apply. Mustangs trained through the program are generally yearlings or 2-year-olds.

In 2024, seven horses were paired with 12 youth trainers, including Dagny and Ellie.

"The horses in the 2024 program were all yearlings," Stephanie says. "And this has been the biggest program yet."