I will be leaving for the Pryors in a few days. Yes, I know, it has only been 2 weeks since I was last there. I will be taking a couple of friends that have never been to the Pryors before.
I also want to spend some time with Lakota and see how he is doing.
Someone this week asked me a question. At first I was offended by the question they asked. But after thinking about it for a while, I decided that not everyone is as passionate about these wild horses as I am. The question they asked me was: ” Is it really worth it? Is it really worth going up all that way to take photos of horses just eating?” Ummm… Right away I thought of my business cards. I have a photo of Lakota “just eating”, I wondered why that never occurred to me. I really loved that photo of him, but he was, “just eating”.
I finally figured how to explain what going to the Pryors is for me. On my last trip, heading up the mountain, I was in the truck by myself, so I had a lot of time to think. I wondered if I would ever tire of going up this road. But as soon as I drove through the gates of the range I realized that would never happen. It dawned on me how to attempt to explain my feelings. I said it out loud to Linda a couple of times. “Every time I come up here it is like Christmas morning.” Remember when you were a kid the feeling of Christmas morning?
That is about as good as I can get to explain how I feel. I have a passion for these horses that sometimes is unexplainable. I enjoy getting to know each horse. Yes, some I have made a deeper connection with than others. But each horse up there is very special to me. I never get tired of it.
So back to the question I was asked. “Is it worth it?” I think that for some, it probably is not worth it. Some will probably be bored and only see “horses eating”. I see a lot more, just by the way I look at them.
I guess you can say these Pryor Mountain Wild Horses are my passion.
What one sees in their surrounds and what ones passion is can be different for each person. Instead of being offended by the comment that was made to me, it made me realize and look at just how much these horses mean to me. I like watching them “just eat,” and that is okay.
So, I head to the Pryors again, in just a few days. I am looking forward to Christmas in July and watching the horses just eat.
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Sandy
That’s what makes the world interesting. We don’t have to all share the same passions. I love horses, but they are not exactly a passion. Through your blog I get to experience yours which I find very interesting.
The question “Is it worth it?” can be applied to anything under the sun. If you think it’s worth it, then that’s what matters. Some people may not understand why some people do the things they do. I don’t understand people who don’t like traveling/are afraid of traveling. They don’t think traveling is worth it for whatever reason. That’s fine, they don’t have to travel with me.
You are not asking people to be as passionate as you are about these horses, so don’t let people who don’t understand your passion bother you. If they don’t get it, it’s okay. If they do, all the better. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
We all, if we’re lucky, find our peace, our passion in different places. Your blog and pictures get the message out about the beauty and the workings of nature. I likely will never get to the Pryor mountains, but I am lucky to see them through your words and lens. Viva le difference!
Thank you so much Barney!
Sandy,
I totally know what you mean. Yes it takes a lot more effort to get up to the top of the mountain unlike other wild horse ranges, but that in and of itself makes it more special. For the most part you don’t get a lot of people, but when you are up there it’s like being on top of the world. You are in your own shangri la. I love all of the horses …even when they are just eating, but they let you into their world like no other. In fact it’s like they invite you into their world. They all have their own personalities and uniqueness and every time I go there it’s a new adventure. Even though I had to pay someone to bring me up there, I would do it again in a heartbeat! And again and again. My only regret is that I don’t live closer. Maybe next time I will drive out there. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to camp and wake up with them with all of that gorgeous scenery. Yes I would definitely compare it to Christmas …or maybe heaven!!!!
Terry
Thank you Terry! Maybe next time you should camp with me! 🙂
Good luck Sandy! I will continue to keep good thoughts in mind for Lakota.
I hope this trip brings you everything you could ever hope for!
Take care,
Terry
Also those horses have a HISTORY that many of us don’t. That is one way to look at things as well. If horses could speak, I don’t doubt one bit that each and everyone would tell all of us about their history, their ancestors and what they went through and even today. I can just imagine the conversations going on. Those horses are very important to OUR history as well.
I hope Lakota is doing well and you find him. Keep up the good work Sandy. You bring those horses to our thoughts and prayers every time. Christmas mornings are always good :). If I had the land and space, I would definitely adopt some of the horses that would be rounded up this summer, but sadly I have nothing like that or the money. I live in a city :), but you keep the beauty and the serenity of Pryor Mountain and the horses up to date for me. I NEVER tire of reading your posts or looking at your videos and your pictures.
Thank you so much Selena!
You and those horses are much welcome :). I can’t wait for your next update post :). I really enjoy reading about all the horses, especially Lakota. There is something special about him, but there’s no way to put a finger on it :). Thank YOU so much for bringing these horses into our lives even if most of us can’t make it up there to see them in person, but IF I ever had the money and the time, I would love to see them one day, but there is not telling when that will be, by then many things will probably have changes, but you help keep us up to date on them. Thank you once again Sandy for bringing the horses to those who can’t see them in person. 🙂
Selena, you are a sweetheart! If you ever can come to the Pryor’s be sure to contact me! 🙂
Will do Sandy. Good luck in finding Lakota and be careful up there and out there :).
I dream about being able to visit the Pryors one day. There’s something special about these horses for some people. I’m very passionate about them and I have never seen them in person. I would LOVE for the chance to watch them just eat. Until that day I greatly appreciate being able to see and hear their stories through your blog and I throughly enjoy seeing all fo your pictures of them “just eating.”
Thank you Sarah!
Hi Sandy..Well said………Christmas in July, a lovely way to put it and different strokes for different folk’s…………I am so glad you do go I too then get to watch them just eating, it is magnificent 🙂 They are magnificent
Thank you Jeannie!
“Is it worth it” Having waited yrs to get to the Pryors, I can only say. My soul took flight when I saw the horses. I cried with joy when Blizzard stayed just across the road from me for approx 10 min.letting me soak in his beauty. Seeing little Montana and her family was a joy beyond my wildest dream. If I could be so lucky to live closer, I would do just like you, spend as much time as possible with them. To those of us who understand the true value of something for God given for us to enjoy it is “Worth It”
Thank you Carolyn!
You are doing what you love and everything about that can only be RIGHT!!! So glad to hear you’re going back again! Enjoy yourself and please take plenty of pictures!
Thank you!
I had the pleasure of visiting the Pryors once, 4 years ago. There was something magical about waking up on the mountain top surrounded by grazing wild horses, hearing them “just eating” before the light made them visible. Every time that I read one of your posts, or others, part of me is able to return to that magical place. Your passion feeds mine…Thank you.
Thank you so much Susan! I hope you will be able to visit again!
If all you did was post pictures of horses eating I would be in high cotton. What joy it to find when your posts in my inbox. I live so far away from where wild horses roam, I’m amazed to be able to share the thrill of seeing them through your eyes and to glean bits of your knowledge. In one of my scrap boxes I have a form letter from President Nixon responding to my little girl’s plea to save the wild mustangs. I lived in Philadelphia, and the only horses I saw were police horses. Since then I’ve learned to ride and enjoy horses, but the mustangs long ago stole my soul. You reveal my soul. Thank you! 🙂
Oh, and enjoy your trip!!! 🙂
🙂
Thank you so much!
so well said/written Sandy. I can’t comprehend watching/playing golf, tennis, football, etc. Yet I spend hours & hours – petting horses, watching them eat, watching them play, etc. They are soooo entertaining to me…I can go into the middle of my herd – realize that a LOT of time has gone by – sometimes hours – And ALL I did was visit with my horses. And I feel so gratified. YES – I understood what you wrote about!!! It is a passion deep in our soul/heart….And it is either there or it isn’t! I am SOOOO glad it is there for me! And for you too!!
Thank you Lisa!
I have not had anyone ask is it worth it, but have had people say “they’re just eating” when looking at photos. But then I ask them, did you notice this one had a blaze and this one has just a snip; this one has two hind sox and this has stripes and that one has wither bars and his mane falls to the right… did you notice those things while he was just eating? And while he was just eating, did you hear the wind and the birds and a horse whinny and maybe one snorted or screamed.. and did you notice the mountains in the background? Is it worth it? You better believe it! — it’s worth driving 2 1/2 days to get there and all the planning it takes to make the trip.
Thanks Sandy, your photos make it a little easier to wait in between trips 🙂
Thank you Joy!
Yes, I understand completely Sandy, we share the same passion!
Your photos are special and beautiful, and your writing is just as special! You brings so much beauty and joy to those who cannot visit the Pryors and for this you should be proud. You are telling the story of many of these Pryor Horses and that is important!
We are blessed in that we can spend time with these magnificent souls and that they let us!
Life is wonderful, especially when we realize our passion and can go on the journey to pursue that passion!!!
I wil see you soon!
Thanks Lori!
Hej from Sweden!
First I would like to address the comment about “just eating”… There is beauty and a story in every action we are fortunate to witness in animals. The beauty alone attracts us but it’s the story behind the action that draws us in and compels us to return again and again. We want to understand and to perhaps join in what that animal is feeling at that particular moment in time. You know I love my animals here at Gullringstorp and yes sometimes they are “just eating” but but for me there is so much behind that tiny action. I just love to watch and listen to everything they do and I fall in love with them all over again. Just like my daughter, love at her first movement in my tummy, April 21, 1980 right up to watching her “just eat” a mommy breakfast on my recent visit to her in London, i fall in love all over again. Your love for these beautiful horses is so evident in your blog photos. Please continue because there are many of us out there who love to see horses,
“just eating”.
Thank you fro visiting my blog and liking my recent post.
Welcome back anytime!
Thank you so much Sweden! 🙂
So many others have made the many statements that I would. I can only add that watching the horses “just eating”, and whatever else might occur while I’m there to witness it is SO VERY WORTH IT! I understand that not everyone has the urge to drive a thousand miles and sleep in their truck to enter the world of wild horses just to hear their whinnies and snorts, see their bursts of energy and their relaxed flat out on the ground naps, their wonderful nose to nose exchanges of breath that can indicate maternal or paternal care, a greeting between friends, courtship between a stallion and his mate, or the intitiation of a serious rivalry between stallions, or the quiet grace of them “just eating”. But I do, and I embrace it, and I believe my ability to value and enjoy these simple things in Nature make me a happier person—it certainly enriches MY LIFE. Everyone desires autonomy in their life, and wild horses exemplify that, along with being the most beautiful animals ever created (as far as I’m concerned). When I’m there, I’m part of that scenario, and it renews my soul.
The scenery of the Dryhead and the mountaintop, and all the places in between is wonderful, but it is the horses and the stories of their lives that call me back again and again. It’s a new and wonderful experience every time, like seeing about 120 wild horses all laying down on the ground napping at midday AT THE SAME TIME on top of the mountain this visit. And waking up in the cool early morning in the Dryhead to the thrill of, all of a sudden seeing a tail swishing on the ridge where I had scanned just moments before and had not seen anything. The horses have become like family to me, and I want to know how things are going for them, and I want to meet their gaze. I think they “know” how much I care for them and respect them, and that makes me happy. There’s no real explaining it, like other kinds of love, but it’s there—and it’s there to stay. We who love these horses have a joy in life that isn’t experienced by everyone—and it’s their loss. Don’t let the existence of unbelievers diminish your enthusiasm one bit. If they’re smart, they’ll learn to believe. I am so very thankful to have shared some of those special experiences with you on the Range this year Sandy, and I SO APPRECIATE each trek that you make back there and that you share them with us.
Thank you Linda!
PS Have a great time on this trip! Let us know as soon as you can how Lakota is doing. Wish I could be there, too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Linda. I know it’s very personal and not everyone can understand unless they’ve been there. We’ll have to get a small group together sometime in the future. It was very nice meeting you and Sandy! Hopefully next time we’ll get the chance to talk and visit more!
Terry
It was nice to meet you, too, and seeing “the greeters” come barreling down the hill to drink that evening at Crooked Creek Bay while you and I and Brianna and her friend were there is another experience that will be forever etched in my memory. I hope we can be there at the same time again, and maybe next time the wind won’t be blowing so hard so we can just sit around and gab some. That would be great, of course, if any of the horses does anything, we’ll have to grab our cameras and go! LOL! The horses come first. Period.
I will let you know Linda. If I have email up there I will email you. You do have my cell phone number, so you can text or call me too.
We share your passion for the wild horses and it is great to read your blog and see your fantastic photos, keep up the good work 🙂
Thank you Nokota! 🙂
Sandy,
Your passion for the wild horses is so wonderful. You are very special. Your love for the wild horses and the Pryor Mountain, I could understand so well.
I visited the Pryor Mountain early June 2012 for the first time and I have left my heart there. There is no place else I’ve rather be than that magical place. I was drowned with the beauty of the wild horses and the wilderness of the mountain. I was amazed of every action of the horses and I love the most when they graze. That is so peaceful.
Every single day I thought of the wild horses and the Pryor Mountain. I want to be there so badly. I hope soon I will make 1200 mile driving trip just to visit that magical place and the beautiful, elegant and free spirits (the wild horses).
I love your blog and the beautiful pictures and the stories of the horses.
Thank you so much.
Best wishes on your trip.
Anh
Reblogged this on TROVE GENERAL STORE and commented:
I always share words that I happen to come across on or about the Pryor Horses… Enjoy..