NEW WILD MUSTANG ADOPTION PROGRAM IN MISTFALL!

For years and years, almost since the opening of Mistfall National Park, the Jorvik Rangers have used wild Mustangs (after they trained them of course) as ranger horses. In fact, only Jorvik Rangers are legally allowed to capture wild Mustangs. So, up until recently, acquiring a Mustang (wild or not) as an ordinary Jorvik citizen has been a costly, time consuming process with tons of paper work. Thus, the wild Mustang population in Mistfall has only grown bigger and bigger. Now it is so big that Mistfall can simply no longer sustain all theses horses without becoming a wasteland!

That's when a clever, ambitious young woman by the name of Kirsty Griswald (owner of the beloved homestead in Mistfall, Birk's Grange) had an idea - partner with the Jorvik Rangers to create an adoption program for the excess Mustangs! This would protect both Mistfall National Park from being ruined and the Mustangs themselves from starving, as well as give Jorvik citizens the opportunity to own one of these amazing horses for themselves!

Of course, Reporter Aspen S. had to hear all about this new program, so she hopped on her trusty steed Legend and ran straight away to Birk's Grange - which just so happens to be pretty close to her home at Starshine Ranch! Keep reading as Aspen interviews the woman behind it all, Kirsty Griswald!

Aspen S: So Kirsty, first off, tell me some about yourself and how you acquired Birk's Grange!

Kirsty G: What a story! I've always lived my whole life in Jorvik City, where the only riding I did was riding the bus out to Birk's Grange once a week for a riding lesson on one of my Grandpa's trusty Quarter Horses. Though I loved to ride, I never expected to move out of the city until my dear Grandfather retired and, surprisingly, left me the homestead! I was terrified, but everyone was so kind! They all really helped me get on my feet, especially Steve and Andy. And as for about myself, after moving to the country I've really grown passionate about living the simple life, training through natural horsemanship, and spreading the word about the Mistfall Mustangs!

Aspen S: Whoa, a city mouse inherits a homestead, that is quite a story! So tell me, you mentioned your grandfather had quarter horses - so how did you get into Mustangs?

Kristy G: I guess everyone around Mistfall is passionate about Mustangs, as they run wild through the National Park - but it really started for me when I met Ranger Violet. We became fast friends, and after knowing each other a couple of years, I once mentioned being interested in getting some horses for the homestead as all my grandfather's quarter horses had passed on by now. I asked her if she knew anyone who sold good horses, and to my surprise she offered to let me permanently lease her retired ranger horse, a bay Mustang named Nutkins! (Rangers are only allowed to bring one horse to live with them at the Ranger Station.) Since she had recently retired Nutkins from Ranger work, she was looking for a place to keep him and decided he'd be happy and safe with me! I fell in love with Nutkins at first sight, and he still lives here, though I now only ride him occasionally due to his age.

Aspen S: That is really cool! I met him earlier and he is a real sweetheart. You have four other Mustangs, including two foals, how did you acquire them?

Kristy G: Good question! A few years after getting Nutkins, I actually adopted a Mustang from the Jorvik Rangers, a red roan mare whom I named Rusting Rose. I adopted her halter trained only, so I had to start her under saddle myself, which is also what got me into training Mustangs. Only a year after that, the Jorvik Rangers discovered two orphaned fillies and brought them to me after seeing my success with Rusting Rose. The last Mustang, the brindle bay, is still mostly wild - I adopted him a few weeks ago to kick off my new program and I am in the process of halter training him. I am considering the name Ranger for him!

Aspen S: How exactly did you convince the Jorvik Rangers, who are very specific about who gets to adopt Wild Mustangs, to let you adopt multiple horses and start this program?

Kristy G: For adopting Rusting Rose and the others, I had to go through a TON of paper work, horsemanship tests, and more! I also had to have at least one vouch letter from a Jorvik Ranger or someone associated with them, so Ranger Violet wrote that for me. As for the program, since I have already adopted four Mustangs from them and have worked closely with them to take care of the remaining Mustangs for some time now, they actually invited me to join as an honorary Jorvik Ranger first. I accepted, and so when I proposed the idea of allowing citizens to adopt Mustangs in adoption events, they were much more receptive because they knew I cared for the Mustangs as much as they did.

Aspen S: So much information, thank you! Now, as I'm sure everyone reading is dying to hear, how will this new program work?

Kristy G: Of course! The new program, which will take affect sometime in August, will work like this: the board of Wild Mustangs of Mistfall, run by a few Jorvik Rangers Violet, Marisol, and Alonso will capture a set amount of Mustangs per month - which at this point will most likely only be 2-3. These Mustangs will then be transported to either the Ranger Station or Birk's Grange, depending on who has more space and time at the time, and halter trained. Those Mustangs will then be put up for an adoption in a monthly event where registered adopters can come and adopt them.

Aspen S: How do you become a registered adopter?

Kristy G: There are many steps involved, but not as many as there were before the program! First, you need to fill out a simple application describing where you would keep your Mustang, what you would feed it, your training plan, ect. Then, if your application is approved, a Jorvik Ranger from the Wild Mustangs of Mistfall board or myself will come to your property and review the area where the Mustang would be kept. Finally, you would go through a background check to insure that you have no records of abusing, mistreating, or neglecting animals in any way. After that, if you pass everything, you will be fully approved as a registered adopter! In order to adopt you have to have been registered or had your registration renewed (same steps above) within the past 1-2 years.

Aspen S: Wow that's a lot, but anything to keep Mistfall's beloved Mustangs from falling into the wrong hands! So, what happens after you adopt?

Kristy G: The Jorvik Rangers will arrange for the halter trained Mustang to be transported to its new home, where you will be required to give it at least 4 days to settle in. Then for the next year or so, a Jorvik Ranger from the WMOM board (or myself) will check in on you every 2-3 months on random dates to ensure that the horse is being well cared for.

Aspen S: I know the program doesn't officially start until August, but could citizens start applying now? And one last question: does this apply to the wild Mustangs living in the Wildwoods?

Kristy G: To your first question - yep! In fact, since registration can take up to two weeks, it is recommended you register/apply early. As for your second question, nope, as the Wildwoods has more space, fewer Mustangs, and more natural predators such as bears that help keep the Mustang population under control. Since the Wildwoods are so wild, the ecosystem remains almost completely untouched, so we have to do everything we can not to upset that delicate balance.

Aspen S: It has been such a pleasure to interview you, I have learned so so much! Any last thoughts?

Kristy G: Not really, except that I hope whoever is reading this looks into adopting a Mistfall Mustang someday in the near future. And of course, thank you for interviewing me and allowing me to spread the word about my new program!