In the Summer of 2022, the BLM gathered 2,111 horses* from the Twin Peaks HMA in Northern California.

(*Source: Eagle Lake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, August 16th, 2022)

In that massive round up, on June 22, 2022, along with 233 other wild horses, a small black four-month-old foal was chased, captured, and trucked away. Taken from him was his mother, his family and everything he'd ever known.

Once captured, they were sent to one of many BLM off-range facilities across the west. Our 6818 went to Litchfield, near Susanville, CA, where he grew up. There are over 60,000 formerly wild horses like him in short and long term BLM holding facilities across the country.

On June 22 2024, 2 years after his capture, he was sent with 20 other horses to one of the many small satellite auctions hosted by BLM. This was in Napa, CA. At the auctions , the public can bid on any horse and must then take them home at the end of the sale, usually a couple days long. But no one bid on him. And his sale price went to $125.

We could tell 6818 was a born leader, showing calm and self possession at just 2. And his curious charming personality won us over; we couldn’t help but want to spring him! We knew with proper training, kindness and support we could help him become an unforgettable partner.

Despite coming unprepared to adopt, we were able to complete an application on site, pay the $125 adoption fee, and oftentimes transport is available at the auctions, and we saw someone we knew! The biggest hurdle is having mustang friendly 6-foot fences for untouched horses, but where there's a will there's a way. And it all fell into place.

That was a big day for 6818. He had to be haltered for the first time, and loaded into a trailer by himself. All of which he bravely accepted.

6818 is now known as Rex, and is AMP's first Ambassador mustang! For the first several months, he'll be at a special ranch in California for gentling, groundwork, and lessons in human-horse trust. And in another year, introduced slowly to a saddle and rider.

For now, he just gets to be a young colt, getting used to people and life on a ranch with 5 other mustangs and 5 formerly wild burros. And while we wish they could all still be running free, he's discovering the joys of being loved in a domestic life.