1/17/2026: Progress Update
Progress Worth Celebrating!
Nevada has made remarkable strides in her rehabilitation and training with Payton Bushur. She is now halter broke and working well on the line—achievements that seemed uncertain when she first arrived. She's learning to calm herself when asked to reverse directions, and is beginning to understand the feel of coming into the center.
Her feet are becoming less of a mystery to her; she's learning to pick them up when asked, though she's still building confidence about holding them up for long periods. While she remains wary of ropes touching her body (especially her legs) or being pitched near her, she now accepts brushing and mane combing readily. And perhaps most tellingly: she's loving face rubs.
An Honest Look Forward
Nevada still has areas where she's building trust. Ropes and certain types of handling require patience and time. But what we're seeing is a mare who has the capacity and willingness to learn—she just needs it presented in a way that makes sense to her Mustang mind.We're continuing to take things at her pace, celebrating each small victory, and watching her blossom into the horse we believed she could become.
Nevada's journey is a testament to the power of patient, consistent work with horses who come to us carrying fear.
Meet Nevada: A 6-8-year-old Mustang mare whose story is just beginning—and whose ending we cannot yet predict.
Nevada came to Skagit Animals in Need in better physical condition than some arrivals (body condition score of 6/9), but covered in bot eggs and burrs that told the story of neglect. What we've discovered since her arrival is a horse carrying deep fear that may prove more challenging than any physical ailment.
The Reality of Fear
Nevada is profoundly afraid of people. While she has made small progress—cautiously sniffing hands and accepting treats—her fear response is intense. She will try to plow through fencing to escape even slight pressure. She's afraid of ropes, training equipment, and handling of any kind. These are not small hurdles—they represent significant behavioral challenges that may or may not be resolvable.
An Honest Assessment
There is a real possibility that Nevada's fear and behavioral responses may not improve despite our best efforts. While we believe that if we can reach her mind, she could be an amazing horse, we also must acknowledge that we may not be able to get there. We are committed to giving Nevada every reasonable chance, but we also must be realistic.
Where We Go From Here
Nevada is in the earliest stages of evaluation. She has demonstrated knowledge of groundwork in the roundpen, at liberty, so we believe she has had some training in her past. We're taking things slowly, watching for small signs of progress, and working to understand whether she can overcome her fear enough to be handled safely. This process will take time, and there are no guarantees.
