In 1998 I adopted two BLM mustangs, Kestrel and Mestena. They were yearlings and had not been touched except for shots and freeze branding. The were small but I assumed that was due to their age, it turned out it was their genetics.  Being wild horses in this dry mountainous area of Nevada, smaller horses had an advantage over larger so over time the herd standard size was around 12 hands, and hardy.  I soon realized that the mare was going to be a great kids horse not adult and for me my first pack horse.  Over the years she carried loads on multiple wildernesses pack trips and on trail maintenance project in the Boise, Payette and Sawtooth National forests. She was Moosely’s mom and they were siamese twins rarely being over fifty feet apart, always eating from the same feeder and if she went anywhere he had to go or would throw a total hissyfit.

She knew her job so well that leading her was optional, she knew her place was behind her lead horse.  This was very handy as I only had to lead one horse and could take the group to water or anywhere else I wanted to go.  When I took my granddaughter riding, even though she had no experience, I knew Mestena would just follow me and would take care of her load, be it pack bags or a kid.  Age and  laminitis lead to her retirement in  2024 and the fall grasses to founder in both front feet and time to say goodby.