In this interview, Emily Kitching speaks with Sarah Welty, owner of Left Hand Ranch Equine in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Welty shares her experience participating in the Meeker Mustang Makeover, a 120-day competition where trainers take a completely wild mustang and prepare it for competition.
MEEKER MUSTANG MAKEOVER – MEEKER, CO | AUGUST 22ND & 23RD, 2025 | RIO BLANCO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
meekermustangmakeover.org
Sarah Welty on Pivot riding out in Boulder, Colorado. Photo by Dana Martin with Dana Martin Creative and Salt Media Studios danamartincreative.com
About The Meeker Mustang Makeover
Welty explains that she chose the Meeker Mustang Makeover because it was local and a great way to showcase how versatile mustangs are. The goal is to bridge the gap between a wild horse and a rideable horse, making mustangs more accessible to the public. She likens the process to taming a coyote, highlighting the need for a skilled trainer to make the horse rideable and safe.
Pivoting with Pivot
Welty details her journey with her assigned mustang, Pivot. She initially had to pull her first horse from the competition because he was too young. She named her new mustang “Pivot” because of this unexpected change, a name she jokingly relates to her life as a mother of two. This change of plans taught her to let go of her competitive nature and the pressure of the competition timeline.
Pivot, a large mustang from Roberts Mountain, Nevada, was initially standoffish. This forced Welty to slow down and build a connection based on trust. She discovered that once he learned that human touch could feel good, he transformed into a sweet and willing horse with a calm disposition.
The Mustang Advantage: Range-Wise and Honest
Welty has been working with mustangs for 12 years and appreciates their unique qualities. She describes them as “range-wise,” explaining that they are smart and think differently than domesticated horses. They are constantly taking note of their surroundings for survival and, once they trust a person, will rely on that person’s judgment to navigate new situations. This makes them quick learners. Welty also notes that mustangs keep trainers honest; they are highly sensitive to a person’s energy and will react negatively to emotions like anger or frustration.
Welty’s Training Philosophy: Curiosity and Attunement
Welty’s training approach is rooted in fostering curiosity and using what she calls “attunement.”
Fostering Curiosity: She encourages horses to explore new objects instead of running from them. By allowing them to see, smell, and interact with things like a saddle or a tarp, she helps them understand that the objects are not threats.
Attunement: This concept, which she learned from trainer Warwick Schiller, means being present in the moment to notice and reward small improvements. Instead of punishing a horse for doing the wrong thing, Welty waits for the horse to make the right choice, then immediately releases pressure and offers praise. This teaches the horse to seek a place of “peace” and find the right answers on their own.
Welty also emphasizes training for the general public, avoiding complex cues that might confuse a new owner. Her goal is to create a well-rounded horse that is a partner, not a “mindless zombie.”
A Shift in Horsemanship
Welty feels there has been a positive shift away from the “old cowboy way” of “breaking” horses. She prefers to “tame and train,” focusing on encouraging a horse’s spirit rather than breaking it. She acts as a “communication specialist” to help horses and riders understand each other, using analogies like a horse’s need to find the “path of least resistance” to peace.
She concludes by stressing the importance of continuous learning and being open to different training methods. As she says, “No man is an island,” and a horse trainer must be willing to learn from others and adapt their approach to suit each horse’s individual personality. She emphasizes that you must set boundaries and correct unwanted behavior without using fear or dominance.
Sarah Welty – Left Hand Ranch Equine, Ft. Lupton, Colo.
@lefthandranchequine
