As the summer progressed, I found myself putting my camera down more and just savoring the horses and beauty of the mountain with just my heart and eyes. I still took plenty of photos, but 1000’s of photos shrunk to just a few hundred. The horses were settling into their summer routine with very little conflicts between the bands. There were still a few more foals to be born, but for most part, the foaling season was done by mid-July.
As with the post before this one, I am presenting you with many photos to look at, and along with that a few stories to explain what is going on, but mostly, I believe the photos tell their own stories.
Coronado gradually adjusted to the loss his band to Irial. For now anyway.
I was surprised to discover that Ohanzee had change colors while I was away for about a week. My prediction is that he will end up being a smokey black in color.
I saw Chino and Coronado hanging out several times together. Chino is one of those stallions that has excepted his band stallion retirement well. Except for a few “dogging” incidences this spring and summer, he seems content to be by himself, in the company of another older stallion, or teaching a young bachelor a thing or two.
As the single oldest stallion at the age of 21, he is doing well. Thin this past spring, but nice and fat this late summer. I hope I am blessed to continue seeing him. He is an incredible stallion.
This was the day of Obsidian’s death. A cold windy day that only got more windy after his passing.
The bachelors continued to entertain us. One of my favorite things to watch are the bachelors. I watch every detail of their movements. That being said, I will step out and say that I think Jasper may be the next to gain a mare. He seems ready in every way.
Grijala watches the “boys in training”. You can almost see the approval on his face.
Grijala smiling with approval at the progress Mica has made with his sparring skills. These two were together most of the summer. While they sometimes took a few days off from each other, they were together more often then not.
The dysfunctional Bolder band. Killian is still there and still being a handful. Still nursing his mother Celt and still trying to breed the mares.
During one trip, myself and guests hiked to the “little ice cave”. In 2012 while searching for the wounded Lakota, I spent some time talking with the “cavers” in this area. They informed me that shortly after the entrance to this cave, it dropped down 6 feet, requiring that to safetly enter this cave, you would need ropes and the proper lights. I don’t really like small, cold, slippery, dark areas with bats flying around, so I never plan to enter this cave.
More photos of the “Odd Couple.” Fiesta seems to be a bit further back and not as included as he seemed just a few months ago. I feel sorry for him. He so wants to be included in this band and takes his “Satellite Stallion” position very seriously.
Hernando is proving to be a very caring and stable stallion. Having two wise and older mares has certainly helped him achieve this goal faster than most. Both Phoenix and Warbonnet seem to have settled in to being with this young and handsome stallion.
Another new and favorite band of mine is Hamlet and his band. Consisting of Hamlet, Audubon and the yearling filly Niyaha. They went from an isolated spot past Penn’s cabin in June ( I labeled their band The Prisoners” for a short time) to joining all the bands by July. Many times grazing and walking past Audubon and Niyaha’s former band, Morning Star.
Garay and his band are doing great. I found it interesting that Quelle Colour (who died this past winter), was replaced by Jacinta, another chestnut, white blaze faced mare who has taken on the position of lead mare.
Every summer, I like to be up on the mountain for the full moon. The beauty and energy of it always takes my breath away. This summer was not a disappointment, and I enjoyed every full moon the summer had to offer.
Demure and Jupiter showing some affection to each other. Demure was in heat and Jupiter was very protective of her. In the photos below, you can see Knight trying to flirt with Demure, but Jupiter would stood his ground to protect her.
August brought the birth of the newest Baja band member, Ojai, a beautiful strong and healthy filly born to the 20-year-old mare, Washakie.
An afternoon hike in August, looking for horses and enjoying the beauty of the mountain.
In mid-July of this summer brought the new sign dedication in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Two of my photos are on the signs. The first one is at the pull off just as you enter the range, the other one is located at Mustang Flats and shares a space with my friend Linda Dombecks photo.
On the same morning that Obsidian died, Cedric, his family and I watched a long play/fight session performed by Cappuccino’s son McKeahnie and Blue Moon’s son Miocene. Both of these two year olds showed how strong they were becoming. Blue Moon and Cappuccino briefly joined in the sparring for a few minutes.
I am going to end this post with a photo sequence of some of Obsidians last moments. I hesitated to share anymore of Obsidian’s death, but while looking through those photos, I felt it would be important to share with you how the horses reacted when he passed. Although it was hard to re-live that day, it also touched my soul how the horses reacted at the time his death.
I am not going to caption the sequence of events, I will let the photos tell their own story.
Sandy
Beautiful pictures 🙂 Sometimes can’t believe I was really there too this summer! I feel so lucky to have had the chance. Thank you again 🙂 I have shed another tear for our little Obsidian though. At least he went peacefully with his family around him. I hope Moenkopi will have another chance to be a mother.
Thanks again, Sandy, for a great post. And rest in peace little Obsidian.
Sandy how is Odakota doing?
Thank you for haring it all.
I haven’t heard anything about the pretty pale filly from Clouds band that was taken by the bachelor band. How is she doing?
Betty I saw Nimbus (Encore)in mid August. She seemed fine. Not the best situation to be in but she seems pretty taken with Knight. Honestly it was like watching young love.
But along with that comes the knowledge that she was seen being bred by 3 different stallions. No doubt there’s a baby in there. Nimbus needs to be with some older mature mares that can help her through the delivery and nursing. All those mommy things. Maybe it’ll come from natural instincts–we can hope. Like many others I’ll be watching next spring.
Hi Betty, I did post some photos of Nimbus in my last post. She seems to be doing okay. I did see her attempt to make some contact with her family band a few times this summer, but it seemed they had no interest in taking her back. At least that was my opinion of what I saw.
I am so happy to see RR and Santa Fe looking so fat! It really makes me so happy. I’ve worried about them being thin. I’m not sure if the drama is over with between them, “their” band, and Irial. So it makes me happy that if there is going to be more dogging and fighting with Irial they are at least in good weight. I’m happy to see Tecumseh looking so good too. Horizon sure has some great markings! I’ve known it, but those photos you took really show it off! Juniper is looking as lovely as ever. One of my favorite mares 🙂 I’m really really crossing my fingers like x 10 that she is in foal for next year!!! That would be so awesome. I feel for Fiesta too. He really does take his job seriously. And he is really good at it. I would love to see him with a band of his own. I know he will be very caring and devoted and take great care of his mare(s) and their foals. His father raised him well. It shows already and I think it will show even more when he has a band of his own. Hopefully it will be soon for him, especially if Horizon really wants to push him away. Mica is so stunning! I love all of the pictures of him and his bachelor buddies! They really are fun to see. And it does look like Grijala is smiling with approval in that picture! I love it! I really think Grijala has been such a great influence on them, and they have been a great influence on him. There’s something different about him now that he’s helping raise the younger boys. I’m also really happy that Jupiter has held onto Demure. I really like them together. How beautiful would a foal from the two of them be! Maybe one day. I love Washakie and Baja’s newest cutie! She looks to be in great health, even if she did come a little earlier than expected. Maybe Washakie will great a break. At 20, she deserves some time off from her pregnancies. Haha whatever fertility magic she has working, someone should bottle it and sell it! Bolder definitely has his hands full still, although Echo is a little more beat up everytime I see him. Love the picture of Bolder and Baileys! And that pic of Feldspar and Ohanzee together. I love that his blaze is the mirror image of hers. Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories!!!
I have to admit that line “Quelle Color (who died this previous winter)” hit kinda hard. I know we’ve all been thinking about it, but actually seeing it written and especially hearing it from you, made it real. But at least she is back with her love, Lakota. And we have the beautiful Kohl and the beautiful Galaxy to carry on their legacy. Now they’re watching over the Pryors together.
Thanks Sarah! Yes, I admit, it has been hard not seeing Quelle Colour out there this year, but what a wonderful thought thinking of her with Lakota again.
Love these pictures as usual!! 🙂 What a stretch McKeahnie is doing! Lately I’ve been seeing London fighting with the other boys, I wonder if he’ll be a early bloomer 🙂 considering he got an early start to bachelorhood. Innocentes looks very pregnant, what do you think? I’m hoping Lariat puts on some weight for the winter, she will need it with her little one 🙂 I’m so glad she was not removed 🙂 I wonder what was on Doc’s mind when he was approaching Moenkopi and Obsidian; was he going to give condolences or…….? Who knows
Thanks Clarissa. Yes, Lariat needs to put on some weight (not really sure why she is not, the forage has been incredible this year, makes me wonder if she has worms..) If Oklahoma is to survive through the winter, she is going to need to be stronger.
What was Doc thinking? I can only guess. I do know that Doc thought that he was pretty much the king of the mountain this year. More aggressive to not only the other stallions, but also to his own mares. The size of the band is probably a big reason for that. I think Jackson is probably just sitting back and smiling at watching him trying to manage all of those mares!
And what an opinionated group of mares it is!
Dear Sandy
Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. It is really a magical place. I so wish for Obsidian to have lived and I am sorry for you to have to go through watching another foal pass away. It is absolutely heartbreaking. But amazing to see how all the horses gather around Obsidian and his band once he passed away. He was such a beautiful foal with his big star and all.
I am glad to see that Coronado is looking well.
Did Grijala show any interest in the mares this summer? Or was he only focused on the young bachelors?
Any news of the mares in Gringo/Tecumseh band?
Thank you so much Thora! Grijala is a sly one, planning his next move, or maybe not. He is fatter than I have ever seen him. Watch for the foals with the big stars and we will know exactly what he was up to! 😉
Couple questions :):
1. Any pictures of Noble? I haven’t seen her in awhile
2. Anyone else find it odd that Juniper (the buckskin mare) has not had a foal? Did she get the PZP, if so did it affect her negatively…i.e. Barren? Hope not she is one of the rare colors on the range, and so healthy looking!
3. Any updates on Clouds daughter? The light Palomino Filly?
Hi Gina, Noble is doing just fine. If you would like to see some photos of her, just type in “Noble” in the blog search at the top right of this page. I believe I had a photo of her in my “summer part 1” post.
Juniper was in the “PZP” birth control window until she turns 5, which would be this year. Hopefully she has a foal next year!
Nimbus was in my “summer part 1” post as well. She seems to be doing fine.
I haven’t had enough time for writing comments lately but I did want to say that I look forward to your every post! I love seeing pictures of these gorgeous horses and hearing their stories 🙂 Please keep sharing whatever you have time for of your summer trips 🙂
I can’t believe how mature the ‘M’ bachelors already look (with the exception of baby-faced Mandan <3 😉 ) and Jupiter is such a stunning early band stallion! Those pictures of Obsidian's final moments were heart wrenching. It was beautiful to see the love Moenkopi had for her colt and the support of the other horses though. RIP little guy.
Thanks Abbie!
I love that picture of the “bachelor huddle” by the way! They look just like the boys before a big game haha
Oh and I love that picture of Feldspar and Ohanzee touching noses (bonus calendar shot?! ;P haha) I think they both look great in that picture. I’d love for him to turn out smokey black….Kierra is such a beautiful colour.
Oh, one other quick note-is it being assumed that Quelle Colour, Topper, Teton and Madonna have all died then ? 🙁
On a happier note-who else would you say is left to foal?
Yes, that is correct. Most likely Quelle Colour, Topper, Teton and Madonna have died.
I would think that Galadrial is the most likely to still foal (I would think she would have by now). The rest…not sure. I am back and forth on Innocentes, not sure if she is or was.
Yes, I can’t believe that she hasn’t foaled yet!! Poor girl! As far as Innocentes goes, I was convinced she was pregnant based on some pictures, but now I’m not so sure….
Wasn’t Ketchikan suspected as being in foal at one point too?
I am just looking at Ketchikan’s photos I took in late August. (I will be posting soon), she looks huge, but I just don’t want to guess. I almost hope she is not though, it is so late in the year to have a foal, especially for such a young inexperienced one.
Yes, I hope Ketchikan isn’t either at this point. Though I’d definitely love to see some healthy foals from her in the future, it’s just too late in the year for an inexperienced mother!
Not to bring up unhappy topics, but all the round-ups in Wyoming have me wondering (and worrying) if there is a future scheduled removal in the Pryors? I certainly hope not though I know it’s always a risk :/
Nothing on the books yet Abbie. But unfortunately I am sure there may be in the next year or so. 🙁
I think Innocentes either is still pregnant or was pregnant and something caused her to lose that foal. Theres no way she wasnt pregnant at all. Based on recent pictures I would say I think she still is (unless she’s foaled between then and now). I was pretty sure about Ketchikan too. Hopefully if she is she has either foaled by now or will soon. It’s going to be tough raising her first foal as a late foal if thats the case. At least its been a year of great forage. I really want to see Galadrial’s foal. I know its been a very anticipated foal. Hopefully her and Beulah can help Ketchikan out if needed.
The thought of a next potential removal has been looming over my head. Although theres been significantly less foals for 2012, 2013, and 2014 than there were for 2009, 2010, 2011.
Last question lol, how are the former Jackson mares acting around Doc now?
They seem okay. The biggest thing I think that is keeping them together is that they are all pretty bonded. Heritage did leave briefly (not sure if it was intentional or not), with Custer. Even when she did return, she seem unhappy. Honestly, if I was a mare, I think I would have left Doc a long time ago! HA
Oh my gosh, I totally agree haha! Doc may be handsome but I don’t think I’d be putting up with his macho act. I’m sure the bond the mares have is playing a big role in keeping them together. Wonder how many Doc foals we’ll have next year…. Seems like someone should take him down a few pegs!
Obsidian’s pictures sill make my eyes wet. My family and I will never forget that moment. We are blessed to have spent it with you. Thank you.
Thank you so much Cedric.