Day Three-Hundred-Fifty-Five: Samson is in the Philadelphia Inquirer yet again, thanks to Maria Wagner! Dan Johnson, the photographer that wrote the pictorial seen above contacted another writer who along with Dan, came to the Dillsburg BLM Mustang auction to do a story about mustangs. This is Samson's one year anniversary with me - it was March 24th, 2001 that I adopted Samson and the auction this year was held on March 23rd. Samson was displayed along with two other mustangs as an example for new adopters of what to expect a year or two down the road.

Day Three-Hundred-Seventy-Three: Today is the day I've been working towards for the last year. I finally received Samson's title from the BLM - he is now officially mine!

May 2002 - Another Newspaper article for Sammy in Horse News

By Lynn Mueller (text follows)

Do you ever wonder what happens to those wild mustangs and burros once they are adopted and carted off to a new home? Do those scrawny, wild-eyed animals ever become docile and tame? Are they "happy" in their new homes? Everyone loves to imagine rescuing one of those wild mustangs or burros when the auctions come around; turning the "frogs" in "princes." However, even for the auction attendants, it usually just turns into a window-shopping experience because of various reasons. But, both the Gregorios and Nevins decided to take the challenge and were willing to share their ups, downs and lessons learned. The Gregorio's most recent adoption was a burro, six-months ago. The Nevins adopted a mustang a year ago.

After years of thoughtful investigation into the BLM's wild horse adoption program, Tom and Mitzi Nevin finally felt confident enough to take the plunge. In March 2001, the Nevins attended an auction in Dillsburg, Pa., and found themselves trucking home with then 11-month-old 'Samson" in tow. The high-selling mustang ($465) celebrated his one-year anniversary with his new owners this past March.

Samson's age was likely a significant factor in his smooth transition from "wild" to domestic life. He was cautious yet trusting with his new owners, allowing them to touch his neck by the end of their second day together. At the end of the first week, he was permitting touch anywhere on his body. Ms. Nevin's schedule has allowed her to see and handle Samson twice each day, furthering his apparent trust and allowing them to form a strong bond.

"He's very curious," Ms. Nevin said, "and he loves everybody." Samson has never threatened or been aggressive in any way to people or other animals.

He is always open to new horses and is very non-confrontational with his herd mates.

Once he learned to lead, his progress increased exponentially. After eight weeks in his new home, he was being hand walked around the farm outside of a confined area with a pony blanket and saddle on his back, quite happily. Two months later, Samson had graduated to a full-sized saddle and was being hand walked off of the property and alongside a roadway. With the hope of creating a solid trail mount, horse and owner now take regular trail walks in the woods around Lake Nockamixon where Samson is learning to navigate mud, go up and down embankments, and cross (or jump) over fallen logs. Equine and human seem to appreciate the camaraderie equally. "We have a great relationship it's like we're best buddies."

With the help of trainer Ryan Coaxum, Ms. Nevin will continue to take things slow with Samson. He is learning bending and flexing exercises from the ground in preparation for his first mounted work. He seems to be enjoying his new life as a domestic horse, and is turning out to be the strong boned and healthy creature that the mustangs are renowned for.

Ms. Nevin will continue to visit auctions to offer encouragement and share stories with past and potential adopters. She explains that had it not been for the kindness of another past adopter when she was shopping for Samson, she might not have had the belief that she could have undertaken such a training project. "It has been one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had," Ms. Nevin said with heart.

Interestingly, several people who have seen Samson have mentioned to the Nevins that they feel he looks very Spanish, suggestive of his line of decent. After hearing it enough times, they looked into blood typing options. Though it was impossible to perform the DNA tests so commonly used today on humans, they found a lab that could accurately look for specific "markers" in the blood. These markers, from a cross section of breeds found throughout the equine world, can be compared to each other, thus formulating a reasonable estimate as to breeding heritage, though not specific individual bloodlines. Samson's test results came back with very strong markers for an Iberian type, confirming the suspicions of those who had commented on his "look." Ms. Nevin's story is chronicled in journal format on the Internet at:http://mywebpages.comcast.net/nevinm2/. A list of upcoming BLM auctions and adoption dates may be obtained by visiting the site: www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/schedule.htm.

The ragtag little jack that could barely land a $25 bid, is now the feature attraction at the Gregorio's 10-acre Frankford, N.J. farm.

Sue Gregorio and her family had gone to the Bureau of Land Management's preview day in August 2001 at the Sussex County fairgrounds in Augusta, N.J., to "just look" at the mustangs. She had already adopted a colt the previous year and did not feel ready for another one, but her curiosity pulled her in. As she mingled and chatted with other onlookers, she found herself gravitating toward the burro pens and vaguely thought to herself that it "might be nice to have one."

Among two pens of jacks and jennies she saw a little burro, now known as "Felix," standing alone in the small group. "He looked picked-on, so sad and aloof; I thought to myself, 'That poor guy needs a home.' "After some discussion with her family, she was still slightly hesitant. Everyone thought Felix was adorable, but she didn't want to make an impulsive decision. The Gregorio's returned on bidding day and watched as the jennies and the babies were adopted easily. When it came to the jacks, though, no one would bid. The auctioneer opened the bidding at $125, but it kept decreasing until it hit a low of $25. Ms. Gregorio wasted no time in placing her bid on Felix when his turn came. Alter she won him, she considered adopting a second jack since no one seemed to want any of them. Ms. Gregorio, though a long-time horse person, decided to stick with a single burro since she had no familiarity with the species or what they were like to manage.

Once in his new home, 16-year-old Felix acclimated relatively quickly. "He wasn't terribly afraid, but he would turn his rump toward you at first," Ms. Gregorio said. "We got acquainted initially by scratching the spot right above his tail; he seemed to like it. Before long, if you stopped scratching him he'd back up into you asking for more!" The goal was to handle the diminutive (11-12 hand) burro without traumatizing him. As long as things went slowly, Felix was fine. Even when he was frightened he wouldn't run away, he would back away. In the rare time of greater stress, Felix would stop and oddly drop to his knees as if to say, "I give up!"

Felix was eventually introduced to the two other domestic horses and a mustang on the farm, but he acted afraid of them. Ms. Gregorio assumed it was because he had apparently been the picked-on one in his wild herd (judging from his old scars, missing slivers of ear, lips, and missing teeth). They moved him in with a small herd of sheep where he peacefully enjoys his status as "The Protector," keeping dogs and other potential predators out of his new brood's paddock.

Felix has since evolved into the star attraction of the Gregorio's front field. People walk by on the road and he saunters over to investigate and allows the passers-by to scratch him.

Ms. Gregorio said Felix is easy to maintain. He does not fence-test like horses do, he doesn't chew on things nor does he try to reach for the grass on the other side of the fence. He eats hay and receives a token handful of grain so he doesn't feel left out. Being an older, intact jack, Ms. Gregorio has been very watchful over Felix's temperament and behavior, but he has not shown the slightest aggression toward any people or animals.

"He has just been a delight! He has brought us so many hours of enjoyment...He has become my husband's favorite!"

August 20, 2002 - Trenton Times newspaper article:

By Carolyn Calogero (text follows)

More than 100 wild mustangs and burros up for adoption in Woodstown.

Kittens, dogs and maybe even an occasional lonely hamster are the usual choices for those seeking to adopt an animal. But having your pick of a hundred wild mustangs? That's a horse of a different color. On Saturday more than 100 wild horses - or "ungentled", in horseman's terms - will be up for adoption at Sunrise Ranch in Woodstown as part of a Department of the Interior program.

And it's not just horses that are available. There are wild burros, too.

Both jacks (males) and jennies (females) will be there according to Randy Anderson, a wild horse and burro specialist in the department's Bureau of Land Management.

Mitzi Nevin of Quakertown, Pa., is in love with Samson, the colt she adopted during a wild mustang auction in Pennsylvania In March 2001.

The horse was born in northern Nevada near the Idaho border. Samson's adoption fee was $465, making him the highest bid at the auction that day.

"It's been wonderful ... one of the best things I ever did. He was my 50th birthday present from my husband," says Nevin.

Samson is the first horse Nevin has ever owned. She has found that the key to gentling the horse has been spending lots of unrushed time together.

"I didn't push him at all. I just hung out with him and we developed a friendship," she says.

Samson ate from Nevin's hand from the start and allowed her to start grooming him after about a week in his new home.

Nevin is now a big fan of mustangs. "They're so healthy. They're smart. The 'Stupid' has been bred out of them," she says with a laugh.

The breed's hard hooves have no need of horseshoes and they eat very little grain in deference to a natural diet of range grass.

Mustangs can be trained for pleasure riding, but training a mustang or any young horse is best viewed as a long-term activity. Nevin has not yet ridden her 2-year old horse for more than a few minutes at a time.

She plans to attend the Woodstown auction Saturday to look for a second horse. Samson will accompany her to offer encouragement and be an example to potential adopters.