The first known foal of 2019 was born to Waif and Kemmerer. Waif is the 1997 daughter of Twigy and Cortez. Kemmerer is the 2010 son of Sacajawea and Blizzard. No report of the sex yet.
This foal was discovered by Dennis McCollough and Toots. Thank you so much for your photos, and the careful consideration you gave this delicate pair.
Waif’s condition looks pretty bad right now. But as we all know, these wild horses are strong and hopefully she can put on some weight and stay strong.
Unfortunately, this little one did not survive. Rest in Peace Tiny.
Abbie and I were talking today about how wonderful it would be if we were able to post several well made signs throughout the range (especially on the top for all the summer visitors) that stated the proper etiquette for interaction with the wild horses, especially with new-born foals and their band. We have both witnessed what happens when there is interference from people. While we can’t control the interference from other wild horses, we can certainly help control the actions of humans. Let’s all brainstorm on how we can get this done.
I especially like this sign that was made for the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse range. One like it for the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range would be great! Let’s hope we can get it done!
I agree this is needed. When we first started going to the range, I tried to find some expectations on human behavior. I couldn’t find anything. We used common sense as we would with being around any wild animals. However since not everyone has this experience it is very important to educate people. I think a sign at the beginning of all roads going onto the range would be so helpful to the horses.
Hi Connie. I agree. But sometimes people just drive right by those signs at the entrance. I also think we need to add a few more. The intersection of Burnt Timber Road and Sykes Ridge road would be a good place, along with one at Penns Cabin.
Thank you for sharing ! I was shocked when I learned that Waif got a foal, I knew she wasn’t always receptive to the PZP but it has been a long time since she hasn’t got a foal ( 2014 if I’m right) she is very old but we saw that a lot of mare managed to rise there foals ( like Madonna with Meriweather I think she was around 25 at the birth of her daughter) I have hopes for this little one , even if Waif isn’t in good shape and there is no other mare to help her she can do it she’s a good mother. The color of the foal could let him out of the removal. I know a lot of person are asking for it but will you make the who will have foals this year ?
Hi. Thank you for your comment.
Madonna was 23 when she had Meriweather. Yes, the last foal that Waif had was Orion and he was born in 2014.
It is a bit too soon to know what color he is going to end up being. As for a removal, nothing has been said, nor is this the time to discuss it. Let’s just hope that this little one and his mother make it. It is a bit too soon to know what color he is going to be.
Thanks again.
Where does her light color come from
Hi Gretchen. A lot of foals are born with a light color. He most likely will change. It is much too early to assume he will stay this light.
I think adding signage up top and specifying proper behavior regarding foals would be a great addition!! Not everyone who visits has an understanding of horse society behavior, can read their body language, or understands how their presence is or can effect the horses. Especially with new born foals involved. Being informed helps keep horses and people safe. No one wants to see anymore foals getting separated from their bands because a person who is simply uninformed has gotten in their way and caused horses to move and alter their behavior without realizing they were doing it. And no one wants to see anyone injured when charged by a stallion or mare in defense of their foal.
Thank you Sarah!
I hope they can both survive. Was it a very bad winter there? Sending many good wishes to all the horses of the Pryor Mts. Thank you for the photo.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the winter has been pretty long and cold.
Poor Waif isn’t looking the best, hopefully she’ll put on some condition once the spring grass comes in and she and her new baby can thrive.
I’ve sometimes wondered if humans getting too close to the horses has contributed to some foal deaths over the years and I think putting signs up around the range to educate visitors to keep their distance is a great idea. Appealing to people to keep the mustangs wild and explaining why it’s important to keep a certain distance would be a great thing to include on the signs. Of course you’ll always get some idiots who think the rules don’t apply to them and ignore the signs but if most visitors pay attention to them that’s a step in the right direction.
Thank you Phoebe! I agree. It certainly is worth trying.
I agree with having signs posted in all the places you have mentioned and maybe even sporadically throughout the range where the horses travel the heaviest. People need to practice safety and common sense for themselves and the horses. In 2014 we were the ones blessed to come upon Oceana’s first steps. We rounded a bend and came to a clearing with horses standing around one laying down next to the trail. We immediately stopped, summed up the situation and backed our Jeep back to the edge of the trees giving the horses the respect they deserved. All the pictures we took were from inside or next to our vehicle. What a glorious gift God gave us that day, to be a part of the natural flow of the Mustangs, without having to be in their midst. In 2015, I was taking pictures and watching a small group of horses below me when my husband quietly got my attention. I looked to my left and here came Oro, curious yearling. Momma, was right behind him with her ears back, I kept backing up and speaking quietly, Oro ended up stopping about 6 foot from me, but only because his Mother snickered quietly. I kept my eyes on her and was only about 12′ away from our Jeep, but there is no way someone is going to out run or out maneuver a protective parent.
Thank you Joyce. Two great stories of your experiences and how you handled the situation. I do hope the signs help educate people. You certainly were blessed to find little Oceana. She is a special girl. Hopefully we can meet on the mountain someday.
Great news the first foal is here and hopefully more to come. I just hope both the foal and the mare to survive . I am also glad about Kemerer to have his first child, this gives me hopes for many new stallions who end up having older mares in their band like Hernado or Mica, you never know when luck will strike.
Although i read that Waif is Kemerer’s grandmother so there is a level of inbreeding which could make the foal a candidate for removal, but for now the important thing is to survive the first crucial year. I also agree with your suggestions of leaving signs into the area with basic rules that really everyone should know by default. If we want these horses to be perceived as trully wild we should also treat them as wild animals, thankfully modern technology allows us to capture intimate moments without approaching them.
Thank you reading my blog and for your comment!
It is sad that the removals have caused some strange situations. Dr Cothran has warned that genetics are becoming very fragile on Pryor. But the need to survive will always call louder to the wild horses despite man demanding they meet their mandate of forage use.
Has any work progressed on getting their range restored?
Regarding “Wait”, would not it be possible to take her to the stables (it seems to me that some horses are there), to be able to monitor her and give her a diet so that she can feed her baby well?
On one of the pictures that you show, (I did not see his sex) but if it is a stallion who is near her, would not it be the projection too much (she still 22 years)
Hi. Thank you for your comment. Waif has been a wild horse all her life. The policy for most situations is n
not to interfere with them. Yes, that is her band stallion standing by her.
Do you or anyone know what (and when) happened to this glorious *1st foal of Kemmerer* ; it looked like it might carry on his light dun coloring? And Lady Waif has always been such a great momma! I can’t recall which, if any of her foals remain free? (surely there are some? ). I’m so SORRY that this sweet little guy didn’t make it 🙁 What is he named? and has Waif recovered adequately?
Waif was in very bad shape when she was spotted with her foal in mid-April. There are many Waif offsprings on the range, including: Icara, Halo, Jewel, and Blizzard. Waif was spotted alone a few weeks ago, but we have not had any reports of her since then.
Oh yes, of course Blizzard is from Waif x Durango – seems so long ago…But who else is left? So disheartening, I sure hope that Kemmerer has another offspring soon! He’s such an amazing stallion and interesting linage, too; I’ve always loved him a lot (as I do for MANY of our sppecial herd!). Your answers will be much appreciated.
Answered your question on your other comment. 🙂