Standing over 16 hands and 1300 pounds, he was one of the biggest mustangs I had ever seen.  He was definitely going to be a challenge to gentle, one he tried to live up to.  He was very curious, but very reluctant to let me get near him.  He never tried to kick at me but would lunge, teeth bearing, and try to bite me; succeeding a couple of times!  He never really tried to hurt me, just tell me that he wasn't ready to give up his status after being a stallion in the wild for over 7 years.  I was fine with that.  We could work on his time.  After a couple of weeks of allowing me to occasionally pet a shoulder or his face as long as I didn't move too quickly, it happened.  That special moment you look for to take the next step.  As I was cleaning stalls I heard Casper scratching his neck and chest along the stall front.  He'd been watching me going back and for with the equipment.  I stopped what I was doing to take advantage of a prime moment.  I entered his stall, stood quietly next to him looking out into the aisle together, then reached up slowly and began scratching his neck.  His head went up, his neck extended, lips were quivering.  We stood together for a few minutes, me scratching and him forgetting that it was me scratching.  After a few minutes I stopped, put my arm next to me and looked back out the stall front.  Bump!  He knocked me with his head to tell me I wasn't through.  We had finally learned to communicate.  I had finally gained his trust.  From that moment on there was no hesitation in our relationship; no lunging to bite at me or walk away.  Our time together became special.  Anything and everything I asked this big guy to do he did on the first request.  He immediately began to lead, turn, pivot, move from pressure, and stop on "whoa."  I was able to pick up his feet - yup, all four - like we had practiced forever.  With a soft nicker he greeted me every morning.  With 15 other horses to tend to, he would always wait his turn.  He never pushed into my space.  After our training times he would bury his head into my chest and I would stand and pet him for a while.  Then, we would finish with a peppermint candy - his favorite.

When I train/gentle for someone else I want them to participate in everything.  So, when Karol would come out to see her boys, Casper would show off all he could do.  He would be in the pasture, and with a wiggle of my hand telling him to come in, he would.  Karol would work with him and his soft personality would shine through.  They'd go for walks, he'd stand for her to groom him, he'd forgive her if she confused him.  He is a wonderful gentleman.

The vet came out to float his teeth and give him an exam before he headed out to his new home with mom Karol.  Only lightly sedated this big guy stood quietly.  Then, it was time for the hoof trimming.  You'd think he'd been doing it forever.  All new experiences, new situations, total trust.  After doing all our ground work for a couple months it was time to try the saddle.  Going through the pre-steps there was never hesitation.  So, when I finally put the saddle on and tightened the cinch, not tight but enough to let him know it was there, he just stood there.  I was ready for the moving.  Ready for the fight.  Nope.  Nothing.  Just a little curious look to see what I was doing.

Casper has been one of the most wonderful horses I have ever had the pleasure to know and honored to have worked with.  He has reminded me how truly gentle and trusting these guys are.

After we dropped him and his young mate, Princess (a palomino BLM filly), off at their new home we started to leave.  With the window down my husband and I both said in unison "good bye, Snort" (a name we affectionately called him because that was what he would do when concerned).  Like on cue he lifted his head, and, yes, snorted.  Karol continues with his training and bonding.  They should be hitting the trails before summer's end. He is living a life that we wish all adopted horses had the ability to experience.  Congratulations, Karol.