• Valor & Voice Program Application

    Veterans • First Responders • Family Members • Mustangs

  • Before You Apply

    Valor & Voice is a hands-on mustang gentling program for veterans, first responders, and their family members. The program is expected to take approximately eight weeks; however, every mustang progresses at an individual pace, and some partnerships may require additional time.

    Participants must be able to:

    • Commit to working with their mustang at Zenhorse® at least three days per week for approximately two hours per session. Approximately 9–11 training time slots will be available each week (none on Mondays), and participants are welcome and encouraged to spend additional time with their horse.

    • Travel with Zenhorse® to a BLM adoption location to select their own unhandled mustang partner. Zenhorse® will transport the selected mustangs back to our gentling facility.

    • Apply to the Bureau of Land Management and receive approval as a BLM adopter before final acceptance into the program. Zenhorse® can assist with this process and will provide the information needed regarding the horse's housing at our facility.

    • Participate safely in the physical, hands-on work involved in gentling an unhandled mustang.

    • Remain flexible if their mustang requires longer than eight weeks to reach the program's gentling goals.

    Once the mustang has reached the program's gentling milestones, participants will have the opportunity to adopt their horse directly from the BLM for $125, paid directly to the BLM.

    Adoption is not required; however, priority for available Valor & Voice positions will be given to applicants who intend to adopt their mustang partner following successful completion of the program.

    By continuing with this application, you are indicating that you have reviewed these basic program requirements and believe you are able to meet them.

  • About You

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Which best describes you*

  • Why Valor & Voice?

  • Horse Experience

    Previous horse experience is not required. We ask these questions simply so we can understand your starting point and provide appropriate instruction and support.
  • How would you describe your previous horse experience?*
  • Have you ever worked with an unhandled or minimally handled horse?*

  • Physical Participation

    Gentling an unhandled mustang is active, hands-on work. Participants may spend extended periods standing and walking, work on arena footing or uneven outdoor surfaces, bend and reach, handle ropes and training equipment, and work near a large animal who may move quickly or unexpectedly.
  • Are you physically able to safely participate in these activities, with or without reasonable accommodation?*

  • Commitment to the Program

    Gentling an unhandled mustang requires consistency. Participants must be able to work with their mustang at Zenhorse® at least three days each week for approximately two hours per session.Approximately 9–11 training time slots will be available throughout the week, with no sessions on Mondays. Participants are welcome and encouraged to spend additional time with their mustang whenever possible.We anticipate the program lasting approximately eight weeks, but every mustang progresses at an individual pace. Some partnerships may require additional time.
  • Are you able to commit to at least three two-hour training sessions per week?*
  • If your mustang needs more than eight weeks to reach the program's gentling milestones, are you willing and able to continue working with your horse?*

  • Selecting Your Mustang

    Accepted participants will travel with Zenhorse® to a BLM adoption location, where they will have the opportunity to select the unhandled mustang who will become their Valor & Voice partner.The adoption location will depend on where appropriate BLM mustangs are available and may require several hours of travel. Zenhorse® will trailer the selected mustangs back to our gentling facility, where they will live during the program.
  • When we travel to select the mustangs, what would you most likely prefer? We understand this may depend on the location and travel distance.
  • Are you willing and able to participate in the trip to the BLM adoption location to select your mustang?

  • Your Intentions for Your Mustang

    One of the goals of Valor & Voice is to create partnerships that can continue beyond the gentling program. Once your mustang has reached the program's gentling milestones, you will have the opportunity to adopt your horse directly from the BLM for $125, paid directly to the BLM.Adoption is not required. However, because we hope to create lasting partnerships between participants and their mustangs, priority for available Valor & Voice positions will be given to applicants who intend to adopt their horse following successful completion of the program.
  • At this time, what is your intention regarding adoption of your Valor & Voice mustang?*

  • If You Are Considering Adoption

  • Have you identified where your mustang would live if you adopt them?*

  • BLM Adoption Approval

    All Valor & Voice participants must apply to the Bureau of Land Management and be approved as an adopter before final acceptance into the program. Zenhorse® can assist with the application process. Because your mustang will initially live at the Zenhorse® gentling facility, we can provide the information needed for the facility portion of your application.
  • What is your current BLM adoption application status?*

  • Working With Your Mustang

    Mustangs entering Valor & Voice may have had little or no direct human handling. Progress will vary considerably from horse to horse. You will receive instruction and support from the Zenhorse® team throughout the gentling process.
  • Are you willing to follow Zenhorse® training methods, safety procedures, and facilitator instructions when working with your mustang?*

  • Anything Else?

  • Date*
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Should be Empty: