I thought that since I am not able to travel to the Pryors right now, that I would give you an update of the Pryor Horses that I adopted.
I adopted Valerosa (Isolde) in 2009. Valerosa is the daughter of Merlin and Sacejewa, born in 2008. Then just this past September I adopted 2 more. Kiowa and Kootenai. Kiowa is the daughter of Half Moon and Lakota, Kootenai is the son of Hertiage and Lakota.
As most of you know who have followed my blog, Lakota was my favorite horse. If you don’t know the story of Lakota. Click on Lakota. That will take you to the first post I made on him. He died in July so it became very important to me to adopt at least one of his offspring. I adopted both.
Kootenai is a sweet guy. From day one, he has been willing and trusting. Kiowa has been a hard nut to crack! I wonder if it is the mare thing? Because her personality is very much like Valerosas. It took Valerosa quite sometime before she trusted me. Kiowa seems the same. She is curious and comes up to me, I can touch her sometimes, but she is not as friendly or as trusting as Kootenai.
When they interact with the other horses, it seems that Kiowa is the one that has more confidence. It is all very interesting to watch.
As you can see in the photos, Kiowa still has her halter on. I made the decision to have them put on before I loaded them to come on from the adoption. I wish I had not. I did not have them put one on Valerosa. I thought at the time that I would accelerate my training, but when I got home, I just decided to take the time it took to win their trust. I may end up attaching a lead rope to Kiowa first, it is time she learned that she can trust me more. But we will see. It needs to feel right and right now it does not feel right.
Kootenai let me take off his halter. Before I took it off, I was leading him around by just the knot under his chin. He is a pretty easy-going guy.
They have a way of letting me know when it is right. I will wait. I have plenty of time.
So yesterday and today I took some photos of them in the snow. It is a beautiful sight to see three Pryor Horses running and playing in the snow right outside my door!
I do feel very lucky that they allow me to be part of their lives.
Sandy
I love all the pictures of them! Valerosa and Kiowa are such pretty girls and Kootenai is a very handsome guy. I really love the picture of the three of them standing together. And it’s so great to see all three of them interacting together. I’m sure you’re thrilled to have your own little Pryor herd 🙂 And I admire that you want to take the time to gain their trust and wait for things to feel right instead of trying to force progress on and while that may take a little longer I think it will build a much better relationship between you and them. I wonder if Kiowa is more confident because she moved around a lot. She was born into Lakota’s band, then spent a lot of time with Diamond’s band, and then joined Jackson’s band before she was removed. Haha it may be the mare thing too!
That could be right Sarah! You know, it is funny, Kiowa likes me better when I have a camera in front of my face! LOL Guess that is how she was used to seeing me on the mountain! 🙂
I think you’re right 🙂
Oh so nice to see all the pictures of them, they are all so gorgeous and just have to say that Kiowa just has the sweetest face, yes you are very blessed but so are all your horses cause they have you forever <3
Thanks Jeannie!
Valerosa is still gorgeous and Kiowa has really matured — thanks for sharing.
How cute! They look so good, and happy (:
Thanks Brianna!
What a beautiful little herd you have there Sandy!
They all are so stunning with their markings and all. I am so happy to see that they are getting along so well…running and playing as they are! So cool! Thanks so much for sharing the photos so that we all can see how they are doing.
I agree with you on the trust issue..it is very important, but sometimes a little extra coaxing works. But if Kiowa is not ready, then forcing is not a good idea. I know you will find the right time and it will come from her..she will let you know.
Patience is the best key..and I know that you already know that. Daily interaction and patience…it will come in time and like you said…you have that on your side!!!
I just love the picture of Valerosa and Kiowa nose to nose! How special!
thanks again for sharing pictures of your beautiful horses.
I love the little ones too…Pancho & Cisco!!!
Thanks Lori!
Great pics, Sandy. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 They all look so fuzzy and warm—and healthy and beautiful! And what cute little playmates they have in Pancho and Cisco. I can just imagine some of the fun they’ll all be having in the snow. I’ll be looking forward to your posts on the progress you’ll be making with each one.
Thanks Linda!
Such amazing pictures of these horses. I’m glad they are in such good hands. 🙂
Thank you!
Thanks for their update!! They look so different in their winter wear! Do you still think Kiowa is pregnant?
Random observation; I saw the pictures of Rachel and Breeze and I noticed Breeze’s birth year on her freeze brand seems wrong. I believe it says ’00’.? What do you think?
I see the same thing… Even if she moved, there’s no way the symbols read “10”! Unless, maybe they have changed the rules and are using birth order?
Nope — not birth order, Kierra is 28…
I found the photo..that is a 00 for sure. My kids brands have not shown up like that yet. When they got home it was still scabed over and now the fur is so thick, it covers the brand some. I will try and get a photo of them today so we can all look. It amazes me how Kierras was already so white, they were all branded on the same day.
Hi Clarissa, I will go out and look closely at my kids, with the fur as thick as it is, it is not showing up very well yet. Where can I find that photo of Kierra (Breeze).The brand is a nation wide code, so it would not have been changed. I am not sure about Kiowa, I am leaning towards no right now.
Here’s a photo of Breeze that shows her brand well. http://reevesimagery.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/breeze-2012-10-21.jpg
thanks! I also found this one that shows it even better: http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/links/2012-04-13-14-46-10/265-adopted-pryor-wild-horses
There’s some photos right next to yours of Kiowa and Kootenai on the CF photo gallery page…
Oh! they are so cute. I wish I can hug them. Please, send my love to them. It seems they love each other and arebhappy together. Thank you Sandy.
Thanks Anh!
Lucky Pryors three! Sandy, they all look marvelous! Looks like you have some spunky burrows too. Have a safe winter. I am so glad that you have offspring from Merlin and Lakota! Diane
Thanks Diane!
I just posted a photo of Kootenai above with his brand showing. What is confusing to me on Kierras photo is how that brand could be so white already. The photos were taken around the same time. Maybe it is because of her color. But her coat looks so much shorter than Kootenais as well.
I noticed when I was looking through the CF pictures that July’s brand showed up very white too. But most look like Kootenai’s. I noticed that Breeze’s coat looks short too
I looked at some mustangs for adoption today and noticed the same thing; some brands were bold white and other were not. It doesn’t look to me like Breeze’s neck was shaved. Could that be why?
I just don’t know. I guess maybe some heal faster than others. There is a tone change in Kerria’s hair where the brand is,(look really closely) so I think she was shaved. It is coming in blacker than the rest of her hair.
I think you’re right. At first I thought her neck was wet, then I saw some jagged areas from the clippers. That’s so strange, I wonder why they put the wrong year on her!!
I wonder if she’s the only one branded with the wrong year. Or if they did some of them before realizing that it was the wrong year and then fixed it for the rest of them.
Indeed, you are now on Pryor horse time. Take all the time that you need, a strong partnership will be such a joy to create.
Thanks Bella!
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Always fun ya’ll enjoy….
Thank you!