“There were times where I, in the moment, I thought I was going to lose my life,” Dedera says.

She wasn’t sure if she and the gelding could successfully move forward, but she didn’t want to give up. Rojo needed her to help him find a home.

Rojo Rogue as a new arrival settling into his gentling pen before starting training with Dedera. Photo by Lydia Dedera’s Horse Training

Challenging Choice

Dedera never owned a horse as a child, but she grew up going to horse camp. At 15, she accepted a job as a stable hand. There, she discovered she enjoyed working with horses. If she found a one with a problem, she searched for an answer. She started helping friends and acquaintances with their horses, but she didn’t consider herself a trainer.

Dedera didn’t realize Mustangs existed until she stumbled across a video about them on social media. Intrigued by the video and encouraged by friends and family, she entered a local Mustang adoption challenge when she was 19. That’s where she met Rojo.

When her turn to choose a horse for the competition came, she remembers feeling called to select Rojo, so she did. But despite her initial confidence in the selection process, her first encounters with Rojo discouraged her.

After multiple close calls, Dedera desperately searched for a way to establish trust with him. This led her to a revelation: She realized she viewed herself as a stable hand who wanted to be a horse trainer but didn’t feel qualified. She felt out of her element and even awkward, and she wondered if Rojo felt the same about his current situation.

“I chose him when nobody else did; he wasn’t chosen for another competition, and he was one of four horses left,” Dedera recalls. “I truly felt like I was his last chance.”

She returned to Rojo with a renewed commitment, proceeding only as his comfort level allowed. As she gained his trust, his aggression stopped. Dedera continued his training by using positive reinforcement and approach-and-retreat methods. Eventually, Rojo’s fears faded away, and the two formed a relationship built on trust and respect.

The Four Wins

As of March 2024, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) report estimates that there were around 5,154 wild horses and burros in Oregon, but the number of wild horses and burros the state can sustainably support is closer to 2,700.

BLM’s website explains, “Because wild horses and burros are federally protected and lack natural predators, the BLM must manage population growth to ensure healthy wild horses and burros thrive on healthy public rangelands.” Placing wild horses and burros in qualified homes through adoption is one of several management methods.

Erica FitzGerald is the president and founder of Teens and Oregon Mustangs, an organization that matches trainers with wild Mustangs to promote their adoption. It’s through this program that Dedera found Rojo.

For every competition Teens and Oregon Mustangs puts on, FitzGerald aims to accomplish what she calls “four wins.” Those are:

◆ Find the Mustangs entered in the competition good “forever homes.”

◆ Help the trainers develop better horsemanship.

◆ Reduce the number of Mustangs in BLM holding pens.

◆ Provide buyers with solid horses that have fantastic foundations.

FitzGerald says Dedera (who competed in the adult division) checks all of those boxes.

“All those wins are met with Lydia for sure, and that’s our mission,” she says.

By the competition date, Dedera and Rojo had formed a partnership that made it possible for them to compete in what became Dedera’s first horse show. They entered the ridden division of the challenge, where they placed 2nd in the Novice Trail class and 12th overall. But more importantly, Rojo sold for $9,000 to a home where Dedera continues to work with him.

Dedera and Rojo competing together at the Teens and Oregon Mustangs competition. Photo by Jenn Koenig Photography

When Rojo left the competition with his new owner, a flood of feelings rushed over Dedera.

“I remember loading him up in his new family’s horse trailer and fighting tears,” she says. “I handed his owner a bag of his favorite treats, and when I turned around, the whole stable was empty. I had a hard time knowing what to do with myself for the remainder of that day, but I also felt a strong sense of completion.”

Transforming Lives

Rojo’s adoption marked the beginning of what has become a yearly project for Dedera. Her second year competing with Teens and Oregon Mustangs introduced her to a South Steens Herd Management Area (HMA) Mustang, Firefly, that she kept after the competition.

Lydia Dedera and her personal Mustang, Firefly. Photo by Jenn Koenig Photography

In 2024, Dedera helped her entry, a Palomino Buttes HMA gelding named Simba, not only find a home, but also become one of the highest-selling horses in the program’s history, with a sale price of $34,000.

FitzGerald explains that Dedera’s work with the Mustangs she trains makes them into family horses, which helps them find forever homes.

“She puts a solid foundation on her horses and makes them really adoptable,” she says.

At home, Dedera works with all breeds of horses, but Mustangs are her favorite. She’s trained eight from the wild, and estimates that she has worked with more than 100 Mustangs in total. Her experience with Rojo taught her the value of instilling trust and respect in all of the horses she trains.

“If I can get a horse, a Mustang, to trust me as its friend, as its leader, and to want to be with me and to want to please me, then I can do anything with that horse,” Dedera says.

While it’s clear the Mustangs Dedera works with undergo transformations, those horses have transformed Dedera’s life, too. She explains that her faith encourages her to pursue qualities like patience, diligence, integrity and purposeful living in her daily life. Dedera says God has used Mustangs to grow her in those very areas.

“When you’re studying an animal and you’re helping him become his best, you can’t help but look on the inside as well,” she says.

Dedera isn’t certain what the future holds, but she thinks it will be exciting. She can see herself continuing to teach lessons, train horses and compete, but she would also love to start traveling and performing with Mustangs.

Wherever she goes and whatever she does, the uncertainties of yesterday are gone, and the promise of tomorrow looks bright. And today, in the present, Dedera confidently calls herself a horse trainer.

This article about Lydia Dedera appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Lydia Dedera: Changed by Mustangs appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

This week’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse of the week, Atlas. Photo courtesy Humane Society of North Texas

Adoptable Horse: Atlas, a 20-year-old 14.2hh Mustang gelding
Organization: Humane Society of North Texas, Fort Worth, Texas

Get to Know Atlas

Don’t let his rough and tumble looks fool you—this BLM mustang has a heart of pure gold. Atlas came to HSNT in need of patience, love and lots of groceries. He also needed his left eye removed. Now healthy, he’s ready to find his perfect person who will treat him right for the rest of his days. Atlas is young at heart and loves to run, buck and play in the pasture. He needs a herd mate who can keep up!

Atlas requires an intermediate handler but is super willing once he trusts you and has bonded closely with several staff members at the ranch. HSNT can’t say enough good things about this ruggedly handsome guy!

This adoptable horse is up-to-date on shots, Coggins, dental care, and is microchipped. Age is an estimate. Adoption fee is subject to change as skills advance.

Please fill out an interest in adoption form on HSNT’s website to learn more and schedule an appointment. When you adopt, you are not just giving a second chance to an animal in need; you are becoming a part of HSNT’s critical rescue work. Adoption fees help HSNT continue to assist more animals – and the people – that need a helping hand.

Atlas is located in Joshua, Texas, near Fort Worth.

Adoptable horse Atlas. Photo courtesy Humane Society of North Texas

Could this be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Atlas, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Atlas appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy The Right Horse

Adoptable Horse: Monterey, a 14hh 16-year-old mustang mare
Organization: Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO

Get to Know Monterey

This week’s Adoptable Horse, Monterey, is truly something special. This gorgeous girl excels at liberty and loves to play with people on the ground. She is a born-in-captivity mustang and is currently a companion horse who has not been started under saddle. Monterey is becoming more friendly and engaging every day as she waits to find her new home. This very smart and willing mare will make someone a wonderful partner on the ground.

Photo courtesy The Right Horse

Could Monterey be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Monterey, the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Monterey appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Why Mustangs

MacDermaid has been the top trainer with the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) for the past three years and has devoted her life to finding homes for these symbols of freedom and icons of American history.

“There are close to 50,000 horses in holding that have been gathered from their lands. It’s rewarding to change the life of one of these animals, to give it a job and a purpose. I also love to see how it changes the life of the adopter.”

She likes that the horses are a blank slate. “They have huge hearts and once they bond with you, they will do anything for you,” says MacDermaid. “They are very forgiving and become willing partners that not only take care of themselves, but also their riders.”

MacDermaid also notes that the Mustangs are typically very healthy and more hardy than domesticated horses. They are easy keepers and tend to be low maintenance.

How to Adopt a Mustang

Adopting is a fairly simple and inexpensive process, if you’re willing to put the time and effort into gentling and developing one of these special horses. (Read more: Do You Have What it Takes?)

Trainer Annie MacDermaid observes adoptable Mustangs at the BLM facility in Delta, Utah.

Before adopting, you need to meet facility qualifications and fill out an application, which you can either send ahead of time or bring with you if you are adopting in person.

There are four ways on how you can adopt a Mustang:

1. TIP Trainer: The Mustang Heritage Foundation runs a Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) where trainers like Annie MacDermaid will take completely wild horses and gentle them so they can be safely handled on the ground. Visit www.mustangheritagefoundation.org.
2. BLM Off-Range Corral: The BLM offers a variety of locations where any approved applicant can adopt a horse directly. Visit www.blm.gov/whb.
3. Online Adoption: Horses can also be adopted through an online BLM auction web site. Visit wildhorsesonline.blm.gov.
4. Satellite Adoption: If you can’t get to a corral but still want to adopt in person, you can attend a satellite adoption event. These are held all over the U.S. throughout the year.

Look to the Experts

Every adoption center is staffed with experienced horsemen and women. They know more about the horses currently at the facility than anyone else and will be happy to give you background information and make recommendations.

“I will often choose horses based on the recommendation of the BLM staff—especially if they caution me against a specific horse,” says MacDermaid.

She says it’s also a good idea to bring another person with you who has horse expertise. “A second set of eyes is always nice when choosing from the pens. I recently had a friend see an injury on a horse I had looked at multiple times but missed.”

Observing Behavior

Once you’ve talked with the staff, it’s time to go out and look through the pens yourself. Horses in the pens may be skittish at first, but if you stay quiet and spend some time observing, you will learn a lot about each individual.

Mustangs, like any other horses, will look for a leader. Passive horses are typically easier to train and tend to bond more quickly with a human, making them ideal for first-time adopters.

“One easy way to tell where a horse falls in the pecking order of a herd is to look for bite marks,” says MacDermaid. “A horse with a lot of bite marks on his back and hindquarters can indicate a more passive horse, always being chased away.”

Look for horses who are curious and show an interest in you. Some may even approach the fence, which is a good sign that they are friendly and open to human interaction.

“A horse with a relaxed expression and soft eye with little or no sense of fear or urgency is going to be easier to interact with and train,” says MacDermaid.

There’s no prepurchase exam on wild Mustangs, so observe conformation and movement carefully for clues to a sound future or potential problems

Observe how quickly horses settle down from a situation where the herd spooks. If a horse can calm himself in a stressful environment, this may indicate a quieter disposition and a horse that will gain confidence more easily.

“Younger horses tend to be more impressionable and easier to train, but I wouldn’t discount the older ones,” says MacDermaid. “They’re more established and sometimes require more time in training, but some of the best horses that I’ve ever trained have been the older ones.” She generally looks for horses in the 4- to 8-year-old range because they are mostly done growing and are beginning to mature mentally.

Unless you’re an experienced trainer, it’s best to avoid overly dominant or aggressive horses. When observing horses in the pens, you will see occasional fighting, which is usually instigated by one or two horses. These horses tend to be very confident and a bigger challenge to train, but MacDermaid doesn’t rule them out completely.

“They can still make good horses in the hands of the right trainer,” she says. “Their confidence can become their greatest asset.”

Adopt a Mustang: Color and Conformation

As with any horse-buying experience, people tend to be drawn to the color of a horse and not take into consideration more important factors of conformation and suitability. MacDermaid agrees that it’s easy to be blinded by color and not see conformational issues that might make the horse unrideable. To avoid this distraction, she recommends starting at the ground and working your way up visually.

“Imagine the horse as a blank slate with no markings. Start with the feet, then move up to the legs, back, shoulder neck, and head.” She looks for horses that are balanced and proportional. Mustangs are not custom-bred like domesticated horses, so you will find some with crooked legs, deformities, a weak back or excessively poor topline. It’s best to avoid horses with significant conformational issues.

“Look for a Mustang with a solid build, big shoulders, straight legs, and substantial bone,” says MacDermaid. “You want a horse that is going to stay sound for a long time.”

As with any horse, you want to look for big, solid feet. Recently gathered horses will have especially nice feet as they “self-trim” in the wild and don’t necessarily require trimming when they come into the facility. Uneven wear and significant cracks could be a sign of conformational or other underlying issues. Take into consideration how long the horse has been in the facility, as hooves tend to grow differently with a change in nutrition and the inability to travel several miles per day as they would in the wild.

When viewing a Mustang’s legs, look for visible signs of injury such as a bump on the knee, calcification on the hock, or an uneven gait. You’re not able to have a prepurchase exam done when adopting a Mustang, so you want to steer clear of any horse with signs of previous or current injury.

Finally, Mustangs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be as small as 11 or 12 hands or as large as 16-plus hands, and you’ll see all body types. Make sure you choose one that is appropriate for you and your riding style.

Adopt a Mustang: Next Steps

Once you’ve chosen your Mustang, it’s time to finalize the adoption and bring your horse home. Stay tuned next month for Part 2 with Annie MacDermaid’s tips to think like a Mustang trainer.

Meet the Expert

Annie MacDermaid grew up riding and showing horses in Minnesota. In 2008, she began working with problem horses and started two successful non-profits, one of which was dedicated to the rehabilitation of retired racehorses, the other with placing rescue horses into new homes.

Annie McDermaid

After moving to Arizona in 2014, she turned her focus to Mustangs. Working as a contract trainer for the Mustang Heritage Foundation to bridge the gap between wild horses and adopters, she has held the title of Top Mustang TIP trainer in the country for the past three years.

A true Mustang ambassador, she has also hosted six training challenges, helping promote the versatility and trainability of the Mustang.

She shares her love and passion for these horses every chance she gets, earning her the nickname “Wild Mustang Annie.”

This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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