Ashley Ahearn is a writer and podcast producer who lives in the sagebrush of Okanogan County, Washington with her mustangs, Boo and Cricket, and her old Arabian mare, Pistol.

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When I brought Boo home from the BLM Corrals in Burns, Oregon he was skinny and he was scared. I spent weeks just sitting with him in his round pen in the snow, singing him songs, reading him books - just being with him - until, one day, he trusted me enough to come over.

He reached out with his nose and I reached out with my mittened hand and we touched. And I could feel the hairs stand up on my neck and my heart soar.

I know so many supporters of Great Escape Mustangs know this feeling - the moment of first contact with a wild horse that is both hard-earned and magical. I knew, then and there, that Boo and I were beginning a journey together that will last a lifetime. I talk about that connection a lot in my new podcast series, Mustang, which you can listen to wherever you get your podcasts.

My journey with Boo inspired me to share that incredible feeling with others. More specifically, the next generation, in the hopes that they will fall in love with these incredible horses, as I have, and maybe even adopt a mustang of their own, one day. So, I wrote The Little Black Mustang. It tells the story of Boo - from his time in the wild to being captured by the BLM and finally being adopted by a little girl who shows him a new kind of freedom - one that’s built on love, respect and trust.

The book was illustrated by Catie Michel (you should check her out on instagram) and is full of beautiful illustrations of the sagebrush ecosystem where many wild horses live.

I partnered with Great Escape Mustangs to bring you these books because I believe in what this organization is doing to help wild horses lead the best lives they can - whether that be in the wild or in loving homes. Thank you for buying a book, supporting their work and for loving mustangs!