Sand Wash Basin Mustang | Born 2014

Cortina was born wild in Colorado's Sand Wash Basin and gathered from her home range in 2016. She came to Great Escape shortly afterward and entered our training program with the hope of preparing her for adoption.

But Cortina had other ideas. Despite nearly six months of patient training, she struggled with the demands of domestic life, displaying strong defensive behaviors that made handling her unsafe. It became clear that asking her to adapt to a life with people wasn't in her best interest.

So we gave Cortina another option: sanctuary.

Since joining our sanctuary herd, Cortina has formed a close bond with fellow mustang Kalypso, and the two have become nearly inseparable. Today, she lives freely among her herd mates, enjoying the companionship and independence she once knew in Sand Wash Basin.

Cortina's story is a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do for a wild horse is simply allow them to remain wild.