TIP Trained Mustangs & Burros
Want to adopt your own wild mustang or burro?
The Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) is a training and adoption program that engages horse trainers nationwide. Approved TIP trainers gentle and halter train a Bureau of Land Management-branded wild horse or burro. Once gentled all animals will know how to catch, halter, lead, pick up all four feet, grooming, and trailer loading. Adoption fee is $125 for all TIP program animals. Approved BLM application required.
CHALLENGE MUSTANGS & BURROS
What is a Challenge?
Interested in competing in a training challenge? Challenges are competitions that allow competitors to showcase the talents of their wild horses or burros.
Challenge competitors adopt or purchase their competition animal at the scheduled Challenge pick up time frame, and gentle it in-hand or under saddle in preparation for the Challenge event. Competitors will compete for prizes and more. You do not have to be a TIP trainer to compete in a Challenge – all are welcome!
Are there any Challenges in Michigan?
YES! 2025 will be the fourth year that Michigan has had a Challenge. The 2025 Michigan Mustang Series Challenge applications will open early 2025. Pick up is anywhere from October 1st 2024-June 30th 2025. The competition will likely be late September 2025 at the Ionia Fairgrounds. You will have at least 100 days or more to train your wild mustang. Interested in staying up to date on the Michigan Mustang Challenge? Check out the Facebook page below to apply.
Curious to see what it takes to do a Challenge?
Take a look at my Facebook and Instagram page to see all of Nugget, Murphy, and Lyla's updates from pick all the way up to the competition. Time is everyone's biggest concern when it comes to these challenges. Remember not every session needs to be an hour long. Horses learn faster with smaller training session throughout the day.
Extreme Mustang Makeover
What is an Extreme Mustang Makeover?
"Created and presented by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the purpose of the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition is to showcase the beauty, versatility, and trainability of American mustangs.
Mustangs competing in these events are wild mares and geldings, typically four to seven years old, that have been living in BLM corrals. Approved trainers are paired with a mustang and spend approximately 100 days preparing for classes that will showcase the mustang’s new skills. At the conclusion of the event, all mustangs are available for adoption or purchase via public competitive bid.re available for adoption or purchase via public competitive bid."
(Mustang Heritage Foundation)
Click below for more information regarding this years challenge.
Are there any next year?
YES! At the moment the only extreme mustang makeover is the 2025 KY Mustang Spectacular. Pick up will be in Cross Plains, TN between 12/12/24-12/14/24. The Competition will be 6/12/25-6/14/25 in Lexington, KY at the Kentucky Horse Park in the Alltech arena. I plan on competing in this challenge. Please see the "Available Mustangs" tab for more information on my mustang for this competition.
Already Have Fencing? NEed to raise it from 5ft tall to 6ft?
Add wood to the top of your panels
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Add wood to the bottom of the panel
Measure the space between the top two metal bars. Cut a 2x4x4 to fit in the space. This prevents the wood from being able to rotate. Use two 2x4x4 vertically then place another 2x4x4 between the two vertical pieces of wood at the very top. Place screws where needed.
Add wood to the bottom of the panel
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Add wood to the bottom of the panel
Use your wooden posts to raise your 5ft panel 1 foot or more off the ground. To prevent your horse from sticking their head underneath add a 2x4 under the panel.
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Stretch the wire horse fencing and secure it to each of the posts. Use twine or fasteners to keep the panel tight to the post.
Adding landscape fabric
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
Add wire horse fencing to the top of the panel
Using landscaping fabric helps the panel look more solid to the horse. This prevents the horse from sticking its head through the panel.
Adding orange safety fencing
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
This acts very similar to the landscape fabric. Do NOT use this to add height to your panels as they can get tangled in it trying to jump over. Only use this to prevent them from sticking their heads through the panel.
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
Adding metal piping to the top of the panels
Attach a metal pipe to each of the wood posts