Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mustangs are new, effective method for Border Patrol to use in tough terrain

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Border Patrol is saving money while gaining horses particularly skilled at patrolling in rugged mountainous terrain. Six wild mustangs were delivered to the Tucson Sector’s Border Patrol Horse Patrol Training Center in Kansas Settlement, 15 miles south of Willcox, last week. BLM uses inmate rehabilitation programs within state prison systems to train the horses. They receive anywhere from 90 to 120 days training before they can be adopted out, Schad said. “We traveled up to the newest BLM facility at Carson City (Nevada) and tried out 12 horses. We were able to adopt six. We’re looking for horses between a minimum and maximum height, between the ages of 4 and 5, with stocky, big bones in their legs and big feet. They are sturdy and rugged and less likely to obtain leg injuries,” she said. “And we look at their temperament, whether it’s a docile horse for an inexperienced rider,” or more jittery, she said. “These horses trust each other, but not necessarily other people. You need to get that relationship where, if you’re on a ledge out there, you trust your horse and your horse trusts you.” “The instincts of wild mustangs are more hypersensitive, because nature tells them to be alert,” Schad said. “These horses are very good at spotting. They look intently and listen intently and if you listen to your horse, they help you. At night, they can distinguish between the different sounds and smell of cattle or a group of people moving.” Currently, 32 of the 192 serviceable horses in the Tucson Sector are wild mustangs adopted through BLM, Schad said, adding she expects to get five more next week...more

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