Diane DeLano is the Central Florida Regional CO-Director of the Florida Wild Horse and Burro Association. Diane is also the Founder of Mustang ETC. Inc. in Mims, Florida. She has loved and worked with horses all of her life. For the past 12 years she has been involved with Mustangs (American Wild Horses) through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Horse Program, at first adopting a mustang for personal use, then becoming involved in helping promote mustangs at BLM Adoptions, schools, country fairs and wildlife festivals, as well as presenting lectures to groups. She started to mentor mustang owners who ran into difficulty understanding the gentling process. She then was recognized for her efforts and was chosen by the BLM in 1998 to become a Volunteer Compliance Officer and went through a two-day certification course along with 19 other people from Florida and Georgia.

The year 2000 started a new reaching out. With the help of the Internet she was able to find many other groups in the United States promoting and mentoring mustang enthusiasts. She began to attend the Wild Horses Workshops and Boot Camp, and joined Internet mustang groups. All of this activity motivated her to create on paper her dream for the previous five years of having a Mustang Educational & Training Center (ETC.). She started to get required qualifications such as a rating as a Horsemanship Safety Association Instructor (HSA), then attended workshops to further her knowledge in working with mustangs and learning from other trainers. In 2001 she started taking in her first rescue mustangs and since then has helped rescue, gentle or mentor 22 mustangs. All of this is has been out of pocket. She has also helped promote the mustang by putting together Mustang Awareness Days, Mustang Gentling Clinics and letting people come to her center to view her working with the mustangs. Currently in the process of applying for 501(C)3 nonprofit status in the state of Florida for Mustang ETC. Inc. This is an effort so that she may devote her life to helping and caring for mustangs, and educating people about the mustang.

Contact Diane DeLano:
4970 International Ave.
Mims, FL 32754
321-267-0607 or 321-960-2747 cell
e-mail: mustangladydi2@aol.com

Gwilda Byrd is the President and Founder of the Florida Wild Horse and Burro Association. In her own words:

Wild Horses and Burros? Where did it all begin?

I've wanted a horse as long as I can remember. In 1991 I got a glimpse of the wild ones in Nevada. It was a dry year, with many that have followed. I saw them being helped by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. They were bringing water to them, they were telling about their plight and informing people about the adoption program - www.adoptahorse.blm.gov

My Mirage , first day home, newly adopted, 1995 My Mirage after awhile!

I knew then that someday I would adopt one of these great creatures. In 1994 I had the place for a horse, the one I had dreamed of all my life. I was 46 years old, and knew if I didn't start working to fulfill my dream I never would. I remembered the wild ones, and found the address. They sent me an application, that I filled out and sent back.

What a wonderful letter I received! They would be bringing wild horses to Marianna, Fl. just 30 miles from me! It seemed an omen...

And it was. We cleared the land we had, built the proper shelter and pen, got pre-inspected by volunteers and adopted two, 4 year old mares! WOW! Now what next? I learned a lot, and got the internet and found other mustang lovers! The first ones were cars......[g] Then I found KBR ( www.kbrhorse.net/ ). Willis Lamm was a God send, he sent me to the ACME Pet chat! There I meet Barbara Eustus Cross.

Then we figured out how to get the Wild Horse Workshops going.

Then we got Wild Horse Mentors www.whmentors.org .

I have become a BLM volunteer, a pre-compliance inspector, and have started our own Florida Wild Horse and Burro Association, inc., www.flwildhorse.org. I have met so many wonderful people at the annual workshops and have a great group of people in Floored.

We've come along way, but still have a way to go. Adopt a Living Legend, you'll have the time of your life! They will teach you so much!

Contact Gwilda Byrd:
929 Festus Lane.
Alford,Fl. 32420
850-579-1049
E-mail - mmandme@peoplepc.com

Sandra Schluter; South Florida regional CO-Director - I'm Sandra Schluter. I live in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach county, Fla. I first got involved in mustangs in 1996. I "adopted" a 1/2 mustang from friend who did rescue. In 1998 I adopted my first BLM mustang, my beloved Saki (Nevada Sox Medicine Man) who I just recently had to have put down.
We adopted again in 2001,2002 and 2003. Did I mention, they are addicting?

In 1998 I was invited to attend a class the BLM was conducting for volunteer "pre and post compliance" officers. I made some wonderful lasting friendships there. I have been to adoptions all over the southeast USA and have been bringing my adopted mustangs to them and to parade of breed classes, fairs, etc.

I actively participate in the South Floored Fair where our club promotes these wonderful horses for 17 glorious days. I just don't get tired of hearing people say "That's a mustang?". With my horses I am a part of the Sheriffs Offices' mounted Citizens on Patrol force. I am also a part of the volunteer Sheriffs Offices mounted drill team of Palm Beach County. We do "Crime Night Out" demos with the horses, bringing our horses to inner city areas.

Water? .. No Problem!!

My husband and I currently have a 5 yr. old grulla pinto mare from Paisley, Oregon, a 3 yr. old sorrel gelding from Adobe Town, Wyoming, an appaloosa mama and her yearling filly from Warm Springs, Oregon, a blue roan colt from Salt Wells Creek, Wyoming....and an expecting registered miniature horse.
Our mustangs are a big part of our family's lives, so go ahead...."Ask me about my mustangs"!

E-mail Sandra:
Itsamustangthing@aol.com