Wild mustang captured near Liberty Reservoir finds safety at horse rescue
MOUNT AIRY, Md. —
After 66 days on the run in Carroll County, a wild mustang has been safely captured and relocated to a horse rescue.
The 4-year-old mustang spent months roaming near busy roads, which made containment efforts difficult due to his wild and unhandled nature.
J.R. Raulerson, a livestock recovery specialist, led a cross-agency effort to recover the horse.
“It’s challenging, but you’ve got to read the animal and you’ve got to adjust to what’s going on,” Raulerson told WBAL-TV 11 News. “After about a week, I decided something’s got to give and I have to go to him instead of him coming to us.”
Over several nights, Raulerson used food to lure the horse into a pen. On Thursday, crews closed the pen and constructed a fenced alley through the brush, clearing trees and hauling dozens of fence panels.
As police stopped traffic, the horse was finally guided into a trailer, a point in time that was met with cheers from the crew.
The mustang, now fittingly named Outlaw, is settling into his new home at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, a 400-acre facility in Mount Airy that houses around 200 horses that were rescued from slaughter, abuse and neglect.
“We’re fortunate that we do have this facility that was built specifically for feral horses,” said Lorin Grey, the director of growth and development at Gentle Giants.
Outlaw will go through intake and training at the rescue, and professionals will work with him on handling. Eventually, he’ll be available for adoption to the right home.
“That’s the best outcome you can have, and he’s in good hands now.”
“He’s a very smart horse,” Grey told WBAL-TV 11 News. “I think he really is attuned to the people and the environment around him. So, I don’t think it’s going to take very long for him to come around to life as a domestic horse.”
Raulerson said Outlaw’s behavior has already shown signs of progress.
“With him coming up like this is a very good sign. He’s saying, ‘Thank you, people,'” Raulerson told WBAL-TV 11 News.
“I don’t think it’s going to take very long for him to come around to life as a domestic horse.”
Ownership of Outlaw has been surrendered to Gentle Giants. Raulerson expressed optimism about the horse’s future after the successful operation.
“That’s the best outcome you can have, and he’s in good hands now,” Raulerson told WBAL-TV 11 News. “I think he’s going to have a good life from here on out.”
Video below: Residents alarmed over roaming, untrained mustang (Aug. 24)