When embarking on the search for a new horse, the last thing Cerise Kazmierczak expected was to fall in love with a mare. Initially set on finding a gelding, Cerise had heard that mares could be difficult and, having had a smooth experience with her current gelding, she saw no reason to change course.
Cerise’s journey began when she needed a companion for her gelding. She knew she wanted a mustang, captivated by the idea of forming a bond with a horse that had the genetics for survival, untouched by human breeding for specific sports or jobs. The prison-trained mustang program in Nevada particularly appealed to her, as it not only provided inmates with valuable skills but also gave mustangs a new lease on life. She attended several auctions, planning to make a purchase at the June auction.
A Google search led Cerise to the Montgomery Creek Ranch (MCR) adoption program, where she discovered Selena for available for adoption. Despite her initial reluctance to consider a mare, she decided to visit Selena to understand more about the MCR training and adoption process. She brought her son along, as he would be riding with her.
From the first meeting, Selena's stunning appearance and gentle, affectionate personality captivated them both. The test rides only confirmed their initial impressions—Selena was not only well-trained but had clearly been treated well throughout her life, exhibiting trust and love towards people. A memorable moment during a second barn visit solidified her decision: walking into Selena's stall, she found her resting on the ground. Selena allowed her to approach, hug, and pet her without any reservations—a true act of trust from a prey animal. This moment confirmed that Selena was the right choice, and that MCR was the right program.
The adoption was finalized on Mother’s Day weekend, making it an memorable gift. Since coming home, Selena has remained the same sweet-natured horse. She is gentle with Cerise’s son and has formed a close bond with her gelding, despite a bit of initial sassiness. Selena's love for food has made training easy, and she has a favorite scratch spot on her chest that elicits a blissful stretch of her neck when scratched.
Cerise’s mother, who takes care of the horses on their 20-acre property, raves about Selena's sweet nature. Her son adores Selena, and as he advances in his riding lessons, plans are in place to trailer Selena to his lessons, as she would make the perfect confidence booster.
The future plans for Selena involve giving her a loving home and enjoying countless trail rides together. Already, they have explored trails in Auburn and around their property, with Selena proving her bravery by pushing through a group of large turkeys that other horses hesitated to pass. Her love for water and adventurous spirit promise exciting future trips, including trail rides in the Sierras, beach outings, and an overnight camping trip to Yosemite, with a longer trip to Bryce Canyon planned for next year.
Adopting Selena has profoundly transformed Cerise’s perspective on mares and mustangs. Finding Selena has brought immense joy and forged a deep bond, and Cerise eagerly looks forward to the adventures and trails they will explore together.
