About 4 years ago we adopted Sakari, Kirstin's first Mustang. Sakari is the horse that got Kirstin to come out of her caccoon. Kirstin was a very shy, temid little girl until she found confidence in herself and I strongly believe that it is because of Sakari. Sakari taught Kirstin that she could do anything if she believed in herself and worked hard enough. Sakari was only 1 1/2 years old when we adopted her and Kirstin worked day and night to gentle her. When she was old enough, we sent Sakari off to be trained only to pick her up a couple of months later and $1200 later to be told she was untrainable. Give me a break, a then 11 year old was leading her around, could put a saddle blanket on her and even a surcingle on her and you can 't train her. Sakari has been pasture art since then, we just didnt have the knowledge to train her ourselves & no longer had the money. But Kirstin is determined to ride her someday. Today when I got home, Kirstin met me at my car, blindfolded me and led me out to the horse pen. I figured that she had done something new with Tuff and wanted to show me. Boy was I surprised when she removed the blindfold and this is what I saw:

This is Sakari, saddled for the first time ever. Kirstin got a wild hair and decided it was time to move on with Sakari. She didnt get on her back, but she did see how Sakari would react if she attempted to put weight on the stirrups. Sakari didn't like that, but this was huge not just for Sakari but for Kirstin.

Becoming involved with the Extreme Mustang Makeover has given Kirstin a new purpose in her life. There's not much a 15 year old can do especially when you live out in the middle of no where, but the Mustang has become such a huge part of who Kirstin is, they are forever in her soul, a part of her and really define who she is becoming as she matures into a wonderful young adult. She is living her dream at such a young age and has gained so much from her experience with her Mustangs. Not to many teenagers these days will devote this much time and energy to something unless it's a video game, yet Kirstin & all of the people involved with the makeover do this day in & day out and look forward to it each & every day. And I'm sure that I speak for everyone, it really doesn't matter how you do when competition day comes, it matters that you cared enough and really tried to make a difference. I've blabbered enough, put I'm a very proud parent, my daugther wakes up after I leave for work and while I'm gone does all of the chores expected of her and trains her horses. What more could a parent want, I really am blessed!

Priscilla

www.kirstinsmustangmakeover.blogspot.com