Burnt Timber Day 1

Anh and I were heading up the range with Lori and Brianna by 1:00 pm on our first day.  By now, I had driven Burnt Timber so many times, that I felt I could drive the truck up it without a problem.  So we all rode in my truck.   The goal was to hike from the road back to the first water catchment.

We were almost at the water catchment when I spotted some horses.  It was Doc and band: Broken Bow, Demure and Mandan.  I had no way of knowing at the time, but just 3 days later, Doc’s band would have some changes.

Doc and band, April 27, 2013 (Broken Bow just out of sight).

As we neared the catchment, I discovered another mineral lick.  It was an almost perfect circle.

Mineral Lick

Cloud and band were there in the meadow by the catchment.  They were all peacefully eating.  It seemed Aztec was in heat, because Cloud was showing her some extra attention.

Mica did not seem interested in anything that was happening around him.  He never lifted his head.  We continued watching these two bands for a while, then decided to hike to another near-by mineral lick.

On our way we saw some horses.  I quickly confirmed that is was four bachelors.  Knight, Inali, Hamlet and London.  I had not seen these boys for a while.

We continued walking in the direction of where we thought the lick was.  By the time we got there, the bachelor boys were already busy eating the minerals.  Although it is called a “lick”, I have seen some horses take mouthfuls of  the minerals in their mouth and chew.

The three younger boys, Inali, London and Knight were down eating, while Hamlet stood above them.  Clearing missing was one stallion that I usually see with Hamlet and Inali, Hernando.  I wondered where he was and said out loud that I hoped he had Kindra.  No one that I know of  has seen Kindra for a while.

About an hour later, Hamlet decided it was time to go, so started up the trail.  The rest of the boys followed.

We decided to have another look at the Water Catchment area before heading back to the truck.  Along the way, Brianna spotted this little toad lizard thing.  I am not sure what it was, but decided to take a photo of it.  If anyone knows, please let me know.

Nothing was really going on there, so we started back.  Not too far ahead of us a dun horse raced by.  It was Cappuccino chasing the bachelors we had just seen.  The rest of Cappuccino’s band was to our right.  Wonderful Blanca was clearly concerned and was on high alert to protect the band if she needed to.  I would see a wonderful demonstration of this in a few days.

We watched the drama unfold with Cappuccino and the boys.  It only lasted a couple minutes before the boys decided they were no match right now for Cappuccino.  Hamlet made a move, but it did not last long.  The younger ones made a rapid exit.

Just as fast as Cappuccino rushed after the bachelors, he turned and rushed back to his band.  You could feel the intense testosterone level in his system as he races by us.  He did not even noticed us, as he was fixed on his band that I am sure he felt he had left to far behind him and for too long.

As he got closer  and could see that his band was still there and alright, he slowed to a walk.

He had almost reached them when he turned and looked at us.

The path Brianna chose, took us below a small ridge between this band.  Cappuccino, still worked up from his encounter with the bachelors, took anything that moved a possible threat.  So when just our heads were visible to him,  he came over to take a look at us and charge again if necessary.

I called Brianna back to us and we gave him some time to realize we were no threat before we kept going.

It had been great first afternoon.  Brianna got to see 20 horses she had never seen before.  I was hoping she would be able to find a foal, but it was not to be that afternoon.  Next time Brianna!

After eating a late lunch/early dinner at the truck (thank you Lori!!), we headed back down the road.  My stomach was already thinking about the trip Anh and I would be doing the next day.  Sykes.  You can read about that Sykes day by clicking SYKES.

Sandy