PHANTOM JR. coming to CPMM

For all you folks who knew and loved the Phantom Stallion that lived and roamed in the Dayton, Stagecoach and Mark Twain areas of NV, we have some really wonderful news.  Two days ago, we picked up his son Phantom Junior, also known as Rain Cloud and Boogie, to take home to Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang in CA.

I received a phone call about an emergency situation.  (Phantom Jr.) whom I cannot help calling the Phantom because he looks so much like his beloved Daddy, was in a dire situation.  He needed to be re-homed immediately or he would have to go to auction.  Now folks, if you are gonna have an emergency situation where someone can no longer keep or take care of a horse, this is the way to do it.  Phantom's owner knew she could no longer care for him in the way he deserved, so INSTEAD of waiting until he was in bad shape or starving, made the best decision AT THE PERFECT TIME.   She told me he needed to go that very day, and he is in FABULOUS physical shape.  He needs some extensive training and a lot of time, but will be an amazing horse for someone who not only has the experience, but the dedication and time it will take to make a happy partnership.

Phantom's daddy, the original Phantom Stallion, roamed the Virginia Range hills for about 15 years.  He got his name due to his Phantom like qualities, showing up in and out of the blue.  Unfortunately, there are so many folks that move to NV, which is a FENCE OUT STATE, which means if you do not want wild horses pooping on your lawn or eating your plants, YOU are required to put up a fence to keep them out.  So Phantom, like so many others, stepped into the wrong yards a few times and people called and complained.  Mike Holmes (whom we love dearly and has been such a life saver for so many of our wild horses) relocated him several times, but eventually the Phantom would return to his lifelong home.  So Mike was forced to pick him up.  However folks worked very well together and they brought him to the Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown where I was volunteering.  I have always felt guilty about helping to set that up, because for Phantom it was the end of the line.  Through absolutely NO ONE at the sanctuary's  fault, this would be a situation that was too stressful for our beloved Phantom.

Phantom was a stallion who kept his mares away from other bands.  They were very independent and would roam mysteriously and majestically throughout many miles, showing up randomly, thrilling the folks who loved him and watched for him.  He was very happy when he first went to the sanctuary, as he was in a large area and was actually given mares so that he had five when he was released.  We were all there for the release, and it was an exciting and joyful time, but watching him after that was heartbreaking.  For an 18 +/- year old stallion who had roamed for miles, pretty much in solitude except for his own little family, it was too much shock.  When we fed the horses at the sanctuary, although the feed was spread out, there were usually a few hundred horses eating in close proximity.  Poor Phantom simply couldn't deal with so many others around his family and I was constantly observing new scars and owies from him trying to keep everyone far away from his mares.  In time, his mares were stolen, and no one really saw him much.  Matt has what we believe is the last picture of him.  While the sanctuary is successful for so many "imported horses", it simply was the exact opposite of the way the Phantom lived.  His beautiful wild heart was broken and he could not keep his mares.  Again, there was nothing that could have been done any differently at the sanctuary, it just was not a fit for a stallion who lived the way he did.

This is what happens when folks move to an area FAMOUS for wild horses and start whining and complaining when the horses who have been their for hundreds of years do what they have always done.  These folks are the ones who cost the Phantom his freedom and happiness.

So although we did the best we could to make him happy at the sanctuary, I will always feel the sadness when I remember watching him.  But now we have the chance to help one of his only known offspring get a new start and have a chance at a wonderful life.  We immediately reacted to the emergency because he is "Phantom Junior", and I feel like I owe it to his daddy to help his son.

So right now we are waiting for the paperwork so we can take him across the state lines.  He will be up for adoption and we are looking and hoping for sponsors to step up and help out with his care.  Unfortunately, due to health & financial issues, his former owner was unable to continue working with him and he needs some serious training at this point.  He is gorgeous and will be up for adoption after he is settled and gotten back his manners and confidence.  He just needs the right answers and that is what we will give him at Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang.  I see no meanness whatsoever, he just has some bad answers right now if he is not getting his own way.

As always, we love having visitors.  We also want to send out a big thank you to our crew who are at the rescue taking care of everyone while we are here.  It means everything to know that if you have to go on an extended horse call that everyone at home is safe and sound and watched over.  Please call us at 530 474 5197 or 530 339 1458 if you would like to come and visit Phantom (Jr.) and the rest of the critters this holiday season.  We love sharing "your successes" with you and as always are so very thankful that God has blessed us with such an amazing family of horsey angels.

If you are interested in helping us with the Phantom or sponsoring him for a month until we find his perfect forever home, please go to our website at www.chillypepper.weebly.com.
God bless and have a safe and happy New Year!
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THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US!
Matt, Palomino & The Gang

Chilly Pepper - Miracle MustangEquine Rescue & More -Rescue/Rehab Project LRTC www.chillypepper.weebly.comwww.whmentors.org