I have watched this story unfolding now for several years. I saw Killian for the first time when he was about a month old. Beautiful and very much a shadow or “Echo” of his grandfather Cloud. His mother Celt watching over him closely and protecting him from all that challenged him. It was cute for the first few years, but now, here we are four years later and Killian continues to nurse his mother, but yet is now trying to breed his fathers mares. This started to happen last year when he was three, but now as a four-year old, it is becoming even more apparent. This kid needs to go.
But Bolder has seemed to be rather nonchalant about the whole story. I have shook my head more than once at this situation and I have said out loud, that I wondered if his mother Celt was grooming him to take his father’s band.
This time, it was very apparent that Killian wanted his fathers mare, Sapo. He constantly snaked her and tried to mount her. Finally on this evening, Bolder had enough of it.
I have seen Bolder and Killian have a few little “discussions”, but nothing like what we all witnessed a few evenings ago. This time the discussion took on a new level and strength about it and went on into the night. Some of it took place right outside our tents! I expected (and hoped) to see the problem solved in the morning, but instead, I saw the whole band intact and peacefully grazing nearby.
The light could not have been more perfect for these shots. I will let the photos speak for themselves. If you would like to see the image in a larger size, just click on the image.
I am looking forward to watching this story continue to unfold this summer. I hope it has a good ending for Bolder.
Sandy
Well, it’s clear that Killian is determined that Sapo is going to be his first mare. And it’s also clear that he has grown a lot (with the help of all that nourishing mother’s milk) and is going to be a very determined aggravation in this band. He has learned his sire’s lessons well—maybe too well. I hope it isn’t costly to the health of the others in the band before it’s settled. He has the advantage of youth over Bolder, but Bolder has the advantage of experience. A real “challenge of the stallions”, yet again. How cool to have been observers of this chapter in their lives. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
You are welcome Linda! You will soon see all this for yourself!
Cedar/Sapo looks like she’s a little more trim than the rest of the mares. I wonder how long Echo has been harassing her. I’m actually surprised that it’s not Velvet he’s after. In the past couple years he’s shown a lot of interest in her. Maybe Cedar is in heat right now and Velvet is not. Although I think Cedar is also more mild mannered than Velvet, so maybe Velvet made it clear that she would kick the crap out of Echo if he continued to bother her in this way. I bet Bolder is wishing that he kicked Echo out sooner. He definitely seems more serious about this now. I’m surprised to see that Celt didn’t immediately run in and try to break things up between Bolder and her perfect “baby” boy. Especially with this more aggressive behavior. I have a feeling that the behavior between Bolder and Echo will continue to get more aggressive. Bolder is definitely showing more aggression than he has before, but is probably not yet aiming to do serious damage to his son. But I don’t think it will take long before his intentions become to inflict maximum damage against a stallion that is trying to take a mare from this band, the same way he would react to any other stallion trying to steal one of his mares. And I think when it reaches that point, Echo will not be able to hold his own. He is definitely a big and strong four year old, but Bolder is a mature stallion in his prime. I think the difference in this from the Bolder-Shaman situation is that Shaman was around the age of 20. In that instance youth was definitely an advantage to Bolder, but he was also older than Echo is right now when he challenged Shaman. So I think in this situation youth will be a disadvantage to Echo. He also really doesn’t have much fighting experience because he was never allowed to even spar with the bachelors let alone run with the bachelor bands. And Celt always made sure to break up Echo and Bolder’s sparring when she thought it was getting too rough. Bolder may have taught Echo all he (Echo) knows, but he didn’t necessarily teach him all that he, himself (Bolder) knows. It will definitely be interesting to watch as this continues to get resolved. It may even be resolved by your next trip! If Celt decides that she will leave with Echo (if that’s ultimately what happens) then that’s probably a loss Bolder should take. I think he will see that too. If that’s the cost of getting rid of Echo than that may be a solution that Bolder is ok with. And it’s even possible that Celt would end up back with the band eventually. But Echo has matured a lot and that combined with Celt’s determination to stay with him could keep any of the other bachelor or band stallions at bay. He may be strong enough to hold onto her. I saw Cloud watching the background in some of the photos. I wonder if he’s remembering the situation he and Shaman ended up in with Bolder and Flint. Cloud was about the same age as Bolder is now. He was in his prime and was therefore able to successfully fend off Flint unlike how Bolder overpowered Shaman in the end. Hopefully Bolder will now have that same success. I wonder if this situation will also lead to Bolder decided that Lobo needs to leave. Or if Lobo will decided himself that he wants to leave.
Lobo has been pairing up with Killian a bit, so perhaps they will both get the boot soon! 🙂
What fantastic action shots! It looks like Bolder finally means business! I can’t get over how serious “little” Killian looks either. He’s gone from that cute, momma’s boy to the kind of obnoxious, spoilt child to quite the antagonist. Hopefully it will be sorted soon and Bolder won’t lose out. I think it’ll be healthy for Killian to be a normal bachelor for a while too!
Thank you Abbie!
I didn’t realize a horse could nurse for so long! It reminds of debates about how long mothers should breastfeed. While it’s up for debate with humans, I think it’s time for Killian to strike out on his own. I wonder why Bolder hasn’t tried to kick him out yet?
That has been the question on my mind for 2 years now! 🙂
Superb photos, Sandy! What a story!!
Thank you Ruby!
Nice photos, Sandy! The whole situation is beyond ridiculous, but at least it feels like it’s finally coming to a head. Really now. How does Kil ever expect to be taken seriously as a “big bad band stallion” when he has to take “time outs” to go nurse his mommy?
Haha I was thinking the same thing. From one extreme to the other. I’m a big bad band stallion to hey Mom, I need to nurse. He’s taller than her too. He looks ridiculous trying to nurse. Kohl looked like that too last year when she was still occasionally nursing Quelle Color. When Mom has to cock her leg and lean to the side, it may be time to stop nursing.