Guardians of the Jicarilla Mustangs: Barb Kiipper Speaks from the Range

 

Guardians of the Jicarilla Mustangs: Barb Kiipper Speaks from the Range

By Gina McKnight

Archived from the March 2026 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete

No duplication without permission.
 
Out on the high desert range of northern New Mexico, where the wind carries stories older than fences and the land still remembers the thunder of wild hooves, you’ll find Barb Kiipper doing the work of a true guardian.
 
Through the Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance, she has dedicated herself to preserving the spirit, history, and future of the Jicarilla Mustangs—horses whose resilience mirrors the rugged beauty of the landscape they call home.

In this conversation, Barb speaks candidly about the horses who shaped her, the challenges facing America’s wild herds, and the deep, quiet bond that forms when you choose to meet a Mustang on its own terms. Her insights come not from theory, but from years spent listening—to the land, to the horses, and to the stories that unfold when we slow down long enough to witness them.
 
Welcome, Barb!
 
GM: Barb, it’s so nice to meet you. I enjoy following you on social media. When did you meet your first horse?
BK: I am sure I was born screaming I want a horse. I got my first horse when I was eight years old, an older part Mustang-cross. He taught me how to stay on and ride. We herded cattle, ran barrels, and had a lot of fun. I then got the passion for showing horses and training. Spending over 20 years showing, training, and ultimately breeding Quarter horses. During this time, I attended a few BLM [Bureau of Land Management] wild horse adoptions and was intrigued. I promised myself I would adopt when I retired. I retired in 2008 and adopted my first Mustang in 2009, a Carson Forest Jicarilla Black Mustang - I am very partial to black horses. He showed me a side of horses I had never seen, which led me to get involved with the BLM and USFS [US Forest Service]. I became an advocate for the Mustangs and went back to training and gentling the wild ones in my 60s.

My Non-Profit started in 2012 and has helped over 120 wild ones find quality life in our world. Now we focus on fertility control, so less and pray zero will be removed. They need to be preserved on their land.
 
GM: For people who have never met a wild horse up close, how would you describe the spirit or presence that makes mustangs so unique?
BK: In the wild, I love the snort of stallions, the tenderness of the mares and foals, how they watch you and sum you up in one heartbeat. It's really about watching family life as you envision the bands interacting and the lead stallion and boss mare handling situations. Knowing they settled America and have a rich heritage, to me, makes watching them free and wild is what God intended.
 
GM: Your advocacy blends hands‑on care with public education. What part of that work energizes you the most?
BK: I think knowing that your work to tame and prepare the Mustangs with a solid foundation of basic skills to handle domestic life is very rewarding. The first touch, first halter, first step to lead brings smiles and joy to my soul. When they get truly great homes, it’s the greatest high!
 
GM: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you encounter about wild horses and their place on the landscape?
BK: The never-ending battle with ranchers over cattle and Mustangs. The horse spreads good seeds across the landscape, but cattle do not! Horses contribute to a healthy ecosystem, reduce fire risk, and improve habitat for all wildlife. They earned the right to be on the land! The more data that comes in to prove that these horses are native species, sadly, will never give them the rights and protection they deserve and need. Mustangs make incredible partners, able to do many levels of performance work to ranch work. It's how they're trained that makes the success. Getting people to understand that is exhausting.
 
GM: You’ve seen mustangs in both wild and managed settings. How does witnessing their natural behavior shape the way you approach training, gentling, or rehoming?
BK: They deserve to be treated with respect, and how they feel or think must be understood and part of building trust. Without trust, you will never have a safe partner. Making the connection with them is paramount to taming them. Witness their fear and gain their trust before you try to halter them. Too many people break their spirit or push them till they give in. But what happens when they don’t give in? They are proud, protect that spirit, and you will have amazing animals that bond with you and give you their heart in so many ways.
 
GM: What does a “typical day” look like for you—if such a thing exists—when you’re working with the Mustangs?
BK: LOL. There is no typical day. But a day can be a mix of sad and happy: accepting donations, fundraising, listening to stories from successful adopters and their happiness with their Mustangs, or to one who must rehome their Mustang for many reasons. Cleaning pens and feeding animals for the pure joy of the smell and presence of a horse.
 
GM: Advocacy can be emotionally heavy work. What helps you stay grounded and hopeful when the challenges feel overwhelming?
BK: I sit with my herd, get hugs, talk to God, and seek my own heart. What to do and how to proceed will eventually show. I breathe the love from the horse, get hugs and kisses from those sloppy noses. Lots of reflections and conversations with myself and my herd.
 
GM: If you could help the general public understand just one thing about America’s wild horses, what would it be?
BK: That they are precious and we humans must do better by them. They are the icons of America, and since the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act, we have failed them; they are not safe! They have given to humans forever; we must give back and ensure their preservation.
 
GM: Looking ahead, what dreams or long‑term goals do you have for the Jicarilla Mustangs and the future of your advocacy?
BK: Before I run out of energy, I will ensure they are safe for future generations to enjoy. My biggest dream has always been to create a sanctuary to protect the precious DNA of our wild horses. We keep the fire burning under these dreams and pray for the right person to come along and be part of this legacy, protecting wild ones before they are gone!
 
GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?
BK: Horsemanship has evolved from my childhood time, from making them do it to using science, to a kinder, more understanding way of thinking. It's lifelong learning, always focused on giving the horse a chance to learn, figure it out, and know that each horse is different; no single method does it all. A true horseman listens, seeks to understand, and finds ways to be a real leader, not a boss. Create a partnership with the horse built on trust, not fear. Drop the ego, gimmicks, and crazy devices, and speak from your heart; put the horse first, build trust and connection, and all else comes into line
 
Connect with Barb…
https://www.jicarillamustangs.org/
New Book: Why a Mustang? Lessons Learned Adopting and Training Mustangs by Barb Kiipper and Michele Bell

Barb writes, "...because I have titanium in so many joints, I have to use a walker and a scooter for training. Walking is not fun for very long. We have trainers to whom we send horses, and we continue to rehome mustangs. I teach them to lead or spend time with my herd as much as I can."

Note: Jicarilla Mustangs originate from the Jicarilla Apache Nation region of northern New Mexico. The name is tied to place, people, and lineage, not a specific horse breed. Historically they roam in the high desert and forested areas of the region. Just like Pryor Mountain Mustangs or Sand Wash Basin Mustangs, the “Jicarilla” name identifies the specific wild herd management area and the landscape that shaped them. The horses in this area descend from Spanish‑type horses that integrated into the wild populations centuries ago. Over time, the herd developed its own distinct look, temperament, and survival traits tied to the Jicarilla environment. The Jicarilla Apache people have a long relationship with horses, and the mustangs of this region carry that cultural and historical resonance.