Lakota‘s death has hit me hard, but I wanted to continue to keep you updated on the removals. I found out about it this morning. But it took me a while to get this post together.
I received word from Lori that they have removed Joviana and her foal. I believe that they count a mare and her foal as one removal.
Joviana is the 2009 daughter of Felina and Morning Star. Joviana’s foal was born in late May this year.
They are having a vet look at both her and the foal. Joviana looked pretty bad when I saw her in June. Even though her foal seemed to have a lot of energy, he was so small and I never saw him nurse. When I saw them again 3 weeks ago, Joviana looked a slight bit better, I did see the foal nurse once. The foal seemed so small to me, but still had energy. But Juniper seemed to be showing more interest in the foal than Joviana. I was worried about them both. I do think that this was the right decision, even though Joviana is on Tier 3. Click JOVIANA to read the vet report on her.
I support Jared in his decision to remove them. I am tired of people expressing their opinions against the BLM when they do not know the circumstances. It seems they look for anything they can to try to twist and turn it into an evil thing. Why not take a minute to email him a thank you to him for what he does. Click on his name in this paragraph and it will take you to the list of contacts for the Billings office. I know I will be. I plan on thanking him for ending Lakota’s suffering, I know that could not have been an easy decision or action, and for the care he is taking in these removals. Not just up on the mountain, but down in Britton Springs where they are being held.
On a little brighter note. Lori said that Liesl and Kayenta are bonding. They are grooming each other and Liesl follows Kayenta around.
Thank you Lori, Deb and Shawn for your photos!
Sandy
It’s GOOD that they have Joviana and her foal. The foal is undoubtedly in better condition than Joviana—most mothers keep on giving to their babies until they have nothing left. Joviana definitely has lost weight since I saw her when we were on the mountain in June. I guess our original instincts weren’t so far off in that Joviana probably wasn’t feeling really well already then. I’m sure it takes a lot to nourish that little spitfire of a foal, and Joviana being so young herself has probably contributed to her difficulty. When allowed to proceed with management of the horses with the preferred methods, the BLM staff can do many good things. Kudos to them. And THANK YOU for this timely post. I want to know, but I don’t want to bother people who have so much else to do about who they are talking about before official info releases. And, Sandy, I think keeping up with the new babies and gather events will help you heal from the loss of Lakota. You are doing the very best thing you can do for his memory by knowing and sharing what’s happening with his immediate and extended family. I’ve cried sorrowful tears for Lakota’s passing, but I’m also shedding joyful tears to know that Kayenta is taking Liesl under her wing and probably giving her a new lease on life. What survivors these horses are, and what wonderful silver linings there are within the dark clouds.
Thank you Linda!
Hi Sandy,
First of all I want to say how sorry I am about Lakota. I know what he meant to you and how much you loved him. He was a very special horse. I was so hoping for a different outcome.
What’s the story behind Joviana? She looks so thin in Shawn’s photo…is there a reason for that? With all of the available green grass on the mountain right now it seems like she would have filled out more by June. I don’t know much about her. Who’s band was she with?
Also, I want to thank you taking the time for all of the updates, especially now! I know I appreciate that and I’m sure that others do as well!
Take care and hang in there,
Terry
Thank you Terry!
Sorry to hear about Lakota…hang in there. Like you said, he was born wild and he died wild. And I like that the BLM is about helping the horses, especially in Joviana’s circumstance. It’s better to take care of them than to let them suffer.
Thank you Lola!
Thanks, Sandy (and Shawn, Lori and Deb). Sad to see the little spitfire leaving the range but it is the best for both him and his mom.
Yes, I will miss seeing the little guy (and Joviana) out there. But I think it is for the best.
Maybe they can fatten her up and let them go?
Another good decision from the BLM. Removing Liesl and Joviana (and her foal) will probably save their life. And stopping Lakota’s pain was a wise action. Thank you Sandy to keep us informed about the Pryor herd.
Thank you Cedric!
Sandy-I woke up thinking that I wished that your friend who found Lakota had cut a lock of his mane for you to keep always.
Diane, I know where he is, so when go next week I will do that.
Diane, I know where he is, so when go next week I will do that.
I hope that this brings you comfort, yet one week in the wild could reduce Lakota to a mere skeleton. Wish that you could get there sooner. Sending thoughts of comfort…Love, Diane
I really wanna thank you for keeping us updated despite what happened to Lakota. We all know how much this must hurt, but I think I speak for all of us when I thank you for continuing the great work you do.
Thank you so much Anne!
I’m still confused why Joviana was removed after looking at these photos. Her foal was born in the spring in horrible snowy weather, and she still looked thin in the June photo, like young mares often look when they foal at a young age. But in Deb’s July photo and the photo from the corrals, she looks sleek, fat, and healthy. I’ve seen far less healthy mares on the range later in the summer that thrive, as do their foals.
Hi Linda, You might want to click on the photo and take a closer look. I have never seen a horse with a backbone protruding like Joviana’s called sleek, fat and healthy. I also believe when milk is drying up in a mare it doesn’t mean that everything is okay. There are no other mares that have had foals on the mountain this year that look as bad as she looks. Even 23 years old Madonna looks better than Joviana. Until you see her in person, perhaps you won’t be able to understand. I suggest that when you come to the Pryors in a couple weeks you stop by and make a second judgement. But hopefully by then she will have improved.
Yes, photos can be deceiving–that’s why I asked. I’ll be there soon.
When you look at the outline of Joviana’s back in Deb’s photo, you can see the individual vertebrae in her spine! The distended belly with ribs and spine showing is not a sign of good health, and the bottom line is that she is unable to produce milk for the foal per the experts. It’s a 99 per cent chance she, and the foal, would have perished before the cold weather even set in. The foal looks “OK” now, but that’s only because Joviana has given ALL to him to this point, and that could only go on just so long. Maybe it will work out that they won’t have to be adopted out and can be turned back onto the range if they’ve recovered by the end of the operation, but that decision will be made by those in charge and according to things they have to consider that we observers are not even aware of. Anyway, I’m REALLY glad they are where they can be treated before it got any worse. Thank you Sandy, for the updates.
I agree with Linda Hanick. After looking at these photos i can only say Joviana’s body condition seems to have improved. Neither she nor her colt are exhibiting extremely poor body condition. I was recently up in the Pryors visiting the horses and taking photos, and she looks healthy for a young 3 year old, light built spanish mustang. She and her colt should not have been removed. When evaluating body condition it is important to look at the build of the horse. i’m worried that if BLM thinks this is extremely poor body condition who else might they remove?
Hi Bree, Are you a vet? No, I don’t believe you are, but I see you were an intern this summer for TCF.
I agree Sandy! The veterinarian checked them out and thought that they needed to stay in the corrals and may need medical care. The BLM are in charge of this operation and of the management of this herd.
The PMWMC, nor Sandy Elmore is in charge of making decisions on who to remove or who to not remove.
also..I saw her in person, and Joviana definatly had hip bones showing and also a distended stomach, and did not have any milk for her foal….hopefully she will be gaining some weight and can feed her foal soon. Thanks to the BLM for taking notice of this and getting proper vet. care!
I support the difficult decisions made by Jared and he BLM. If one looks closely at the slope of Joviana’s hindquarters and shoulder, as well as the boney ridge of her topline, she does exhibit signs of malnutrition. Some young mare’s simply have not physically matured to support a foal, conseuqently, affecting their milk production both in quantity and quality, such as I believe is the rare case of Joviana. This can have a serious effect on both the mare and foals overall immune system over the long-term. Without BLM’s intervention they would be at risk to survive the upcoming winter. Thank you, Sandy, for taking the time to continue to keep us all updated, especially during this difficult time. RIP our beloved Lakota.
Poor Jovianna. She’s so skinny and looked tired but I was more worried about her foal. It looked so small but Im glad that they were removed. They could’ve died and I know we couldnt let that happen. I hope they go to a good home and I really hope Jovianna regains the weight she lost
Click on this link to see the vet report on Joviana:
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/mt/field_offices/billings/wild_horses/2012pryorgather.Par.60077.File.dat/Thompson_PMWHR%20Jovianna_VetExamReport.pdf