The Touch of a Mustang | Wild Horses and Healing With Nature

In this episode, we dig into the realities of horse rescue with Erin and Casey of Rescue Ranchito. What does it truly mean to rescue a horse? What happens behind the scenes after the excitement of a save from slaughter has passed? What does it entail to rescue an animal for life? We talk about the true costs of horse rescue, from the finances to the mental load. And of course, we visit about the p...

What if the "unreasonable" dream is actually the right one? Discover how one mom of eight built a life around wild Mustangs, entrepreneurship, and the courage to "just go for it." In this episode of The Touch of a Mustang , Shalyce talks with Nicci Lynn , horse-loving entrepreneur, mom of eight, and Mustang enthusiast with a heart for America's wild horses. Nicci runs The B...

Luke Reinbold has spent the last twenty-five years learning about and becoming a better man because of horses. Beginning as a self-described impatient young man with an anger problem, horses have helped him learn a better approach to life. Luke has competed in Obstacle competitions, Ranch Horse, Versatility, Mustang makeovers, as well as making a living training horses and starting colts. Now Luke...

Jimmy Wiseman, trainer and owner of 3Y Ranch & Rehab, shares the story of a Mustang who changed more than just his training approach. This horse reshaped his perspective on life, patience, and connection. In this episode, Jimmy discusses the lessons he learned from the wild horse, how it influenced the way he works with all horses, and the personal growth that came from embracing challenge and...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Ashley Avis, director of Disney’s Black Beauty , filmmaker of Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West , and tireless animal advocate. We cover her inspiration behind these films and her current work with The Lost Horses Campaign to raise awareness about the horse slaughter pipeline in America. In this episode, Ashley shares: Her experience filming Black Be...

She did what most people only dream of! After six months on the trail, Patricia is back with us, full of stories from her epic adventure. Many of us lived vicariously through her, as she took on a daring journey from Mexico to Canada, with only a dog, a Quarter horse, and three Mustangs by her side. While we watched from our safe and comfortable homes, Patricia battled the cold, struggled to find...

In this episode, Shalyce shares her personal journey of fear, healing, and regaining confidence after an intense accident. Whether it followed a fall, a close call, or simply the weight of “what if,” fear around riding can creep in quietly—and take away the joy we once felt in the saddle. Through real experience and practical insight, Shalyce opens up about the moments she worked to over come fear...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Cook — lifelong horseman, trainer, and founder of Dream Horse AZ — to explore how wild Mustangs are transforming lives in ways that are unreal. Raised in Colorado, Jeff’s connection to horses runs deep. What began as a natural gift for training and working with these animals evolved into a lifelong mission: to help people find healing and growth through the w...

My Mustang journey has been one of the best experiences of my life. However, when I adopted my first Mustang, I had a lot of learning to do. In this episode I unpack some of the most significant things I've learned along the way--things that if I'd known when I started would have made things a lot easier. Whether you already have a Mustang or are just thinking of adopting one, this episode...

This episode is the first in a series of moving meditation —designed to be listened to while you're walking, driving, doing chores, or spending quiet time with your horse. You don’t need to sit still with your eyes closed to gain the benefits of meditation. In fact, movement can help the body process emotions, regulate the nervous system, and make it easier to stay present. This practice focus...

In this inspiring episode, Shalyce sits down with Addie Gonzalez—a ranch manager, soil scientist, and first-time Mustang owner whose wild horse changed everything. After years of chasing big dreams across breeding barns, NASA internships, and the ranchlands of Montana, Addie finally bought her first personal horse—a wild Mustang mare named Echo. What she didn’t expect was a whirlwind of fear, setb...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Shalyce Cluff sits down with the founders of Samson’s Strength Sustainable Veterans Project , Kathleen and David Flounders. Together, they share their extraordinary journey of turning pain into purpose—offering hope, healing, and purpose to veterans through animal-assisted and equine-based interventions. Kathleen, a seasoned mental health professional with o...

In this inspiring episode, we're joined by Ashley Dudas—also known as The Savvy Equestrian—a passionate Professional Horsemanship Instructor, Clinician, and Horse Development Specialist. With a strong foundation in Natural Horsemanship and years of experience developing young horses, Ashley has dedicated her life to helping equestrians build deeper, more meaningful connections with their horses. T...

In this episode, I’m joined by someone whose life has been shaped by horses from the very beginning. At just 13, she started working at a local horse rescue, gaining hands-on experience and witnessing both the heartbreak and hope that come with giving horses a second chance. She adopted her first horse at 14 and later bred her to a BLM Mustang stallion—bringing Whisper, her heart horse, into the w...

In this episode of The Touch of a Mustang Podcast, I’m joined by horseman and teacher Justin Dunn of the American Mustang School. Together, we explore how ancient Hermetic Principles—like Polarity, Correspondence, and Rhythm—can serve as profound guides for higher living when paired with the grounded presence of the horse. Justin shares insights from his journey of blending horsemanship with unive...

In this episode of The Touch of a Mustang Podcast , I sit down with Henry Merrill, a third-generation horseman with a deep-rooted history in ranching, colt starting, and military service. From growing up under the guidance of his father—who started horses for esteemed clients like Harriet Peckham and Fred Hervey—to serving as a combat infantryman post-9/11, Henry's journey has been one of resilien...

In this episode of The Touch of a Mustang Podcast , I sit down with Tim West, a passionate photographer whose journey into capturing the spirit of wild horses began during one of the most uncertain times—when both he and his wife lost their jobs during COVID. What started as a way to find solace in nature quickly became a mission to share the untamed beauty of wild horses with the world. Tim share...

In this special panel discussion, host Shalyce Cluff of The Touch of a Mustang turns the reins over to Hollie Tenberge as they delve into the world of wild horses. As Hollie trains for Wyoming’s Run With the Horses marathon, she shares how this journey sparked a mission to raise awareness, support Mustang rescues, and build a network to facilitate lasting adoptions. Joining the discussion is Saman...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rebecca Forcier, the inspiring founder of Wild Hearts Thoroughbred Adoption Society , a registered charity based in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. As a wife, mother of two teens, and nutritionist by trade, Rebecca's passion for animal welfare and dedication to creating a lasting impact in the racing industry led her to establish Wild Hearts just three shor...

Step into the world of Mustang Champions with Executive Director Matt Manroe in this captivating episode. Discover how this trailblazing organization is reshaping the future of America’s wild horses, transforming them from free-roaming icons into prized partners. Matt shares the innovative events, thrilling competitions, and heartfelt stories driving Mustang Champions' mission to highlight the ada...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Veteran Cope Wilson to explore his journey from the harrowing front lines of war to life-changing moments of despair and hope. Cope shares his unfiltered experiences of the intense mental and emotional toll the struggles life brings. His raw honesty about the emotional battles he faced and how he found redemption on the back of a Mustang offers a poignant...

In this episode we sit down with Patricia Petrina (better known as Penny Pett on Instagram), an avid horsewoman and back-country enthusiast, who is about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Patricia, alongside her three 5-year-old Mustangs and Quarter Horse mare, is preparing for a 7-month, 3,000-mile solo horseback journey across the United States. Patricia shares her incredible story of...

In this episode, we sit down with the team behind The Mustang Recovery Challenge, a transformative nonprofit that blends substance use prevention and mental health support through the powerful connection between people and wild horses. The Mustang Recovery Challenge offers participants a unique path to recovery, using heart-rate synchronization and trust-building techniques to train mustangs. This...

In this episode, we sit down with Lynda Sanford, the founder of the Mustangs of America Foundation (MAF), to talk about her incredible journey from city life to becoming a passionate advocate for wild mustangs. MAF is a dedicated, all-volunteer nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 charitable status, focused on the welfare of mustangs and burros. Operating as a nonpolitical entity, MAF collaborates...

Crystal Field had just opened a new hair salon in Portland, OR, but was soon guided to follow a call in another direction. During the pandemic of 2020 and the struggles associated with that time, she realized she had a higher purpose in life--to build a sanctuary for as many wild mustangs as she could. She moved into an airstream, rented her house on Airbnb, became a minimalist and saved as much m...