Path to Home Program
From Wild to Trusted Partners
The Path to Home Program was created to give wild horses and burros, particularly those under sale authority or those who have had multiple “strikes”, a second chance at a loving, lasting home. “Strikes” are horses that were previously offered for adoption but were not selected. Once a horse receives three strikes, they are moved to long-term holding, which can limit their opportunities to find a home.
These horses often face additional challenges due to longer stays in holding, limited handling, or minimal exposure to potential adopters. Through the Path to Home Program, each horse or burro receives patient, trust-based training designed to build confidence, clarity, and communication. Every interaction is intentional, starting with gaining trust and building a bond, then moving into gentling, haltering, leading, and groundwork. This process preserves the natural spirit of the horse while preparing them for life with an adopter.
When appropriate, training may progress to foundation riding, refined riding, or specialized programs, ensuring that even horses with challenging histories have the skills, confidence, and support to thrive in their new homes.
Our Program Paths
The Long Road – Burros
Designed specifically for wild burros of all eligible ages, The Long Road honors their steady nature, intelligence, and resilience. Many burros have traveled a long journey before arriving in training, and this path focuses on patient, consistent handling that builds deep trust and lasting confidence.
Training begins with gaining trust and building a bond, allowing each burro to process new experiences at their own pace. Through calm, respectful guidance, they learn to accept haltering, leading, grooming, hoof handling, and foundational groundwork. Burros are thoughtful animals who require clarity and fairness, and this program is structured to support their unique learning style.
The Long Road emphasizes positive, pressure-free experiences that help burros develop into willing, dependable partners while preserving their natural instincts, surefootedness, and quiet strength.
Pricing:
• Gentled – $500
• Groundwork – $1,000
• Green Broke – $1,500
• Broke – $2,000+
By honoring their steady temperament and intelligence, The Long Road ensures burros are given the time, patience, and foundation they need to confidently transition into trusted homes and lasting partnerships.
Where the Road Begins – Young & Mature
For horses and burros ages 2–9, this path focuses on trust-building, colt starting, and foundation training, preparing them for continued handling and riding.
Horses in this stage may have had limited handling or inconsistent exposure to humans. We work to build a strong bond, reinforce trust, and introduce haltering, leading, grooming, groundwork, and early riding skills at a pace that suits each horse.
Pricing:
Gentled – $1,500
Groundwork – $2,000
Green Broke – $3,000
Broke – $3,500+
This path ensures horses become curious, confident, and willing partners, ready for future training or adoption.
Beyond the Road – Seniors (10+)
For horses and burros over 10 years old, this path is designed to help senior horses transition from holding into adoptable, confident partners.
Training focuses on gentling, trust-building, groundwork, and individualized handling, helping older horses overcome hesitation or fear from prior experiences.
Pricing:
Gentled – $1,000
Groundwork – $1,500
Green Broke – $2,000
Broke – $2,500+
Even with age or prior challenges, horses in this program develop confidence, responsiveness, and readiness for adoption, while their natural instincts and dignity are preserved.
The Right Road – Partnerships
The Right Road is a partnership program designed for horses and burros recently adopted from the wild and sent directly to Whispering Oaks Horsemanship. This program allows the horse or burro to refine training, gain confidence, and prepare for competition, while still being connected to their owner.
Owners receive discounted training, while Whispering Oaks works with the horse to compete and showcase its abilities. Owners remain responsible for entry fees, hauling, and competition-related expenses, while we focus on strengthening trust, responsiveness, and overall training.
At the end of the show season, horses return to their owners as well-trained, confident partners, ready for continued work, competition, or other pursuits. The Right Road emphasizes trust, clarity, and collaboration, creating a partnership that benefits both horse and owner.
Pricing Reassurance
Each horse or burro receives individualized, trust-based training, tailored to their age, experience, and personality. Your investment supports hands-on, ethical training and helps these remarkable animals reach their full potential.
Path to Home Drawing
All horses and burros participating in the Path to Home Program are eligible for the Path to Home Drawing.
Participants may purchase as many entries as they choose at a set price per entry, earning the opportunity to win a trained wild horse or burro. The drawing is conducted in a fair and transparent manner once all available entries are filled.
The Path to Home Drawing offers a unique opportunity to support the training, care, and placement of these remarkable animals while giving participants the chance to welcome a prepared, confident partner into their home.
The First Road – Weanlings & Yearlings
For horses and burros under 1 year old, this path focuses on gentle early handling, socialization, and foundational skills. We work with weanlings and yearlings to build trust, curiosity, and confidence, introducing them to human interaction in a calm, stress-free way.
Through patience and consistent guidance, young horses learn to accept haltering, leading, grooming, and basic handling, laying the foundation for future training. This early work emphasizes positive experiences, helping them develop into willing, confident partners while preserving their natural instincts and playful curiosity.
Pricing:
Gentled – $600
Groundwork – $1,200
In-Hand Performance Ready – $1,500+
By focusing on trust and early learning, The First Road ensures these young horses start their journey with the skills, confidence, and foundation needed for a lifetime of success.