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A Tribute To The Horses That Have Passed in 2020

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Jackson

As I have done for the last several years, here is the annual tribute of the horses that have died in 2020. While the list is not as long as it has been for the last several years, it is not any less painful to read the names. Rest in peace. Thank you to Laura and Brittny for the use of their photos.

  1. Blizzard, beautiful son of Waif and Durango, born in 2001. I remember one of my first trips up the Dryhead in 2009. He came running across the open land with the wind blowing in his gorgeous mane. He was a sight to behold! I’m sure his spirit is still there running with the wind.

2. Broken Bow, daughter of 198505 and Froggie. She was born in 1993. The mother of Jackson, it was ironic that she passed in the same year as her son. Broken Bows, quiet and strong presence has been on the mountain for so long. She was always a strong mare, most times being the lead mare in her band. She really preferred to not be around people, but did allow me to get some photos of her when she let her guard down. She will be greatly missed.

Broke Bow (far right) with her stallion Santa Fe and her daughter Demure and granddaughter Kindra. (2010)
Broken Bow and Demure.

3. Jackson, son of Broken Bow and Two Boots, born in 1998. What do I say about Jackson? He was one of the most amazing stallions I ever had the privilege to meet. I felt he was everything a band stallion need to be. Kind, protective and loving. Even when he lost his band, he continued to nuture those that needed him. The mountain will not be the same without him.

Jackson and Lakota, 2011.
Jackson and Galena, 2014
Jackson, 2015

4. Oak, son of Fresia and Hidalgo, born in 2014. His life ended much to soon. He was struck and killed by an automobile. Rest in peace.

Oak, photo by BB photography
Oak. Photo by BB photography

5. Tecumseh, son of Warbonnet and Flash, born in 1998. If I could describe Tecumseh in one word, it would be Determination. He was perhaps the most determined stallion I ever saw. When he lost his band to Gringo in 2012, he refused to give up. I witnessed many brutal fights between the two of them, even one where I was sure Gringo had chased Tecumseh off a cliff. But still, Tecumseh never gave up and eventually he and Gringo made peace. He and Galadrial had a beautiful daughter (Oceana), who is still on the mountain.

Tecumseh, 2012

Tecumseh and Oceana, 2015
Tecumseh/Gringo band 2015

6. Waif, daughter of , daughter of Twiggy and Cortez, born in 2005. Waif was usually a dryhead horse, but I will never forget the time Corona brought them all up on top of the mountain. That was the summer of 2013, when their son Norte was just a colt. Topper was with them at the time (which I was sure was the reason they went up there. She was a very strong mare and most likely would not take no for an answer!) While I did not see her often, I was fortunate to see them on April day in 2013 with the their new foal Norte. She lives on with many that carry her bloodline.

Waif and Norte, April 2013
Waif and Norte, April 2013

Rest in Peace, Run Like The Wind, and know that your spirit will continue to be on the mountain.

Sandy

2020 Pryor Foal # 15

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Ursala and Kitalpha

Pryor Foal # 15 was born to Kitalpha and Hickok. Kitalpha is the 2010 daughter of Buffalo Girl and Durango. Hickok is the 2007 son of Bell Starr and Starbuck. The foal is a filly and has been named Ursala.

Thank you Brittny for the use of your beautiful photos!

2019 Pryor Foal # 11

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Labrava with her new colt Trooper

2019 Pryor Foal # 11 was born to LaBrava and Irial.  LaBrava is the 2011 daughter of Blue Sioux and Coronado.  Irial is the 2008 son of Ireland and Prince.  The foal is a colt and has been named Trooper.

I am not sure how to start this post.  There are so many emotions coming up with the birth of this foal.   LaBrava has had some bad luck with the birth of two of her foals.  In 2013 right outside my tent, she gave birth to Nacer (click here to read that post)    Then in 2015 she gave birth to Pixie ( AKA Pilar) in December.  She was able to keep that little one alive and she has grown into a beautiful young filly.  Last year (2018) she gave birth on the last day of my tours.  Myself and my guests were the first one to witness him.  He was gorgeous, perfect.  LaBrava was a very attentive mother.  We left the mountain that morning, happy with the healthy birth and happy for LaBrava.  But within a few days, he was gone.  Unfortunately I am fairly sure that it was caused by human interference.  I had a number of people contact me about the apparent mix up of Silver Bow (who was very tiny at the time) and Santiago (LaBrava’s colt). You can read about his birth by clicking here Unfortunately, the outcome was not good.

I pray that LaBrava is able to raise this little one in peace.  I know that she is an excellent mother and a very strong mare, with a family band that would do anything to help protect their foals.  Please stay your distance.

Below is a photo of the new sign on the range.

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Sandy

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Labrava with her new colt Trooper

2019 Pryor Foal # 1/ Deceased

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Waif and her new foal.

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.

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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!

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Never a dull moment

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One of the reasons why I award a trip to the Pryors is to hopefully inspire another generation to carry on the torch. Abbie has done that and so much more. She is currently in her grad program which includes a study of these horses that have meant so much to me. I am humbled to see the torch that she is carrying on for the horses. Pay it forward Abbie, I know you will.
Please enjoy her post and follow her for a new love and opinion of them. I can’t wait to spend another summer with this amazing young woman.

Has a Missing Horse Reappeared?

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Issaquah

A couple of weeks ago, there were some photos posted on the Pryor Mountain Mustang Center’s Facebook page.   These photos, were taken by Dennis McCollough.  It showed  three dark-colored horses, two of which were easily identified as Orlando and Oglala.  The third was not as easily identified.  Another wild horse follower, Dawn Ness,  was also in that area and took some photos.

This black horse appeared to be solid black.  There are only two horses in the Dryhead that are solid black.  Seattle and his son Issaquah.  Issaquah has not been officially seen for a couple of years now.  But not surprising, the Dryhead is a huge and vast area, and anyone that would see him from a distance would possibly make the assumption that it was:

1.  Seattle, the son of Tacoma and Three Bars, was born in 1997.  He was reported to look very thin this past fall and also has a very distinct swollen knee on the right side.  This horse was not him.

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Seattle, photo taken by Laura Curtis.

2.  Chief Joseph, son of Bakken and Seattle, born in 2009.   Without spotting his back right hind, he could easily be thought to be his full brother Issaquah.  But this horse had no right back hind, (as seen in Dawn’s photos below).

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Chief Joseph, 2012.

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Issaquah, February 2017  Photo by Dawn Ness

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Issaquah, February 2017.  Photo by Dawn Ness

3.  Inniq, son of Sitting Bull and Ceceila, born in 2008.  Several people thought and think it was Inniq.  But Inniq has a very destinctive star, and this horse does not have one.  (Thank you Dawn for taking that photo of this horse with a clear shot of his forehead with out a star!

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Inniq, 2012

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Not Inniq!  Photo taken by Dawn Ness.

The first person to make the comment that it was Issaquah, was Alex Pitterman.  Alex has followed this herd for many years and is virtually a walking encyclopedia with what he knows about this herd.   At first I thought maybe it was not Issaquah, but then I began to think about the vastness of the Dryhead and how he could easily be misidentified for one of the other black horses.  I am convienced that the horse that was spotted is indeed Issaquah.  Thank you Alex for bringing it to our attention!

As a young bachelor, Issaquah was almost always seen with his 1/2 brother Hawk (they share the same sire).  In fact I would call them HawkandIssaquah, because they were rarely apart.

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Hawk and Issaquah, September 2, 2012

But when Hawk gained his own band, Issaquah was not allowed to join him and so this most likely started the mix up of his identity and the assumption that he was no longer with us.  Issaquah may also have decided to go off on his own and was not as visable.  I saw him once along Burnt Timber Road, about 3 miles from the bottom, by himself in August of 2014, and I am betting that once others start to think about their sightings of black horses over the last few years, especially at a distance, we may all realize that Issaquah was there all along.

Whatever the case, I am convienced that the horse that was spotted in late February is indeed Issaquah.  And with all of the death and disappearances of the many horses over the last few years, this news of yet another survivor is very welcome.  It’s great to see you Issaquah!

Sandy

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Issaquah, 2012