About Us | Mustang Journey

About Mustang Journey

Mustang Journey is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to adopting Mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management holding pens and rescuing Mustangs that have been abandoned and are at risk. Mustang Journey is the community coming together to adopt, gentle, train, and find forever homes for these symbols of American Freedom.

Our Facility

The Mustang Journey facility includes a community room attached to a 60’ X 100’ indoor arena and a 5 stall barn, a 60’ X 120” horse housing barn suitable for up to 13 Mustangs, a 60’ X 80’ equipment/hay barn, a 60’ X 120’ indoor training arena, 4 pastures and an irrigated pond.

What we do.

Under the supervision of Mustang Journey trainers, community volunteers and veterans learn thru hands-on interaction to transform Mustangs from wild to ready for adoption.

Meet our Board Members

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

President, Michael Iacono

Michael has been a business owner in Cincinnati for over 35 years. His interest in horses began as a child and later in his adult life as a horse owner. His experiences led him to seek out wild mustangs on the range in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah. Something clicked and through years of research of the BLM and Mustang adoption, he finally adopted a beautiful Blue Roan in 2016. A founding board member he has been working to build an organization that will not only benefit the community but will reduce the number of Mustangs being cared for by the BLM.

VP of Veteran Services, Troy Day

Troy is a Veteran of the United States Air Force who proudly served during the Gulf War era until his honorable discharge in 1998. While serving; he was recognized as a top performing non-commissioned officer and was awarded numerous meritorious and accommodation medals to include several oak leaf clusters; as well as, two nominations for the NCO of the year for the USAF and the General Leo Marquez for superior service, performance and knowledge.

After his discharge; he entered the vinyl window industry where he has been recognized for managing successful sales teams and exceeding sale budgets and has been awarded the coveted “Presidents Club” award for sales.

Troy and his wife Laura currently reside in a small rural town outside of Cincinnati. They enjoy spending time together with their family, (two children and five grandchildren), camping and being part of the Mustang Journey “care team”.

Secretary, Michelle Moran

Michelle is a Level 1 graduate of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program and has trained Mustangs from wild to wonderful! She has been caring for and working with horses since 2007 and a founding member of Mustang Journey. Michelle actively volunteers and supports 2 local non-profits, Mustang Journey and

Paws for Miles-Animal Rescue. Michelle is a transplant from Chicago, IL, and has lived in the Cincinnati area for over 25 years.

Program Manager, Kim Merrick

Kim feels as though her life has come full circle. Her parents made the mistake of putting her on a pony when she was 5 years old and afterwards, there was no turning back. She started riding regularly at 10 and by 13, she was a horse owner. She went off to Salem College to earn an equestrian degree until her father convinced her that you can’t
make a living working with horses! Ultimately, she attended graduate school to get a Masters in Social Work and later went to work at Women Helping Women in Cincinnati. After working with and counseling women who had been raped or who were victims of domestic violence, she joined the board and headed up the child sexual assault program. This position involved court advocacy and counseling.
Now, after a long career as a real estate agent, she is back in the barn at Mustang Journey surrounded by the animals she loves. She is so grateful to be a part of the veteran’s program and hopes in the future to develop a program for children. Full circle!

Treasurer, Tom Compton

Tom is a retired CPA with over 40 years of experience in all areas of financi responsibility with companies of various sizes ranging from $2M - $600M. Tom was born and raised in Cincinnati, he has 3 children and 9 grandkids. In addition to his involvement with Mustang Journey, he enjoys boating on the Ohio river and following the Bengals and Xavier Basketball.