2021 Camping Tour Dates

IMG_8824 We are looking forward to 2021.  Consider joining us for a camp trip of a lifetime! Deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.  At this time I am not accepting any new guests. IMG_2786 Sandy has been camping in the Pryors since 2009, spending weeks at a time with the horses, and has been providing camping tours since 2013. Whether you bring a professional camera, or just a cell phone to take photos, Sandy goes out of her way to make sure you leave the mountain with cherished memories of your once in a life-time camping trip.  Sandy is willing to help you position yourself for the best photo opportunities, offer tips on lighting and settings.   And if you want to stay up late, she will even offer a bit of night time photography tips in the amazing very big and dark Montana sky. The many stories that Sandy shares about the horses and the range, make this trip more than just a chance to view them, it makes this a trip more about knowing the horses, giving you a brief glance into the life of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horses. Experience living with the horses 24 hours a day and in doing so, this can give you a better understanding of what it is like to live wild on the range. You will also be able to experience first light, blue hour, incredible sunsets and dark starry skies with an opportunity to do some night shooting. All tours may include light to moderate hiking. IMG_5799 The camping trips are 4 days/3 nights on the mountain top.  This trip includes: comfortable transportation up and down the mountain, all food, snacks, tents, sleeping pad and expert personal guiding. (last night dinner is on your own once we return to Billings).  Each tent and sleeping pad will be cleaned and sanitized thoroughly between guests. Below are the tour dates for the summer of 2021. Cost of the trip is $2295.00 per person.   A deposit of 50% ($1147.50) is due at time of booking. Contact me for payment options (I accept Venmo or check) or hit the PAY NOW button below. (a secure payment that accepts most credit/debit cards throughout the world.) 1. June 25-28 2. July 1-4 3. July 7-10 4. July 13-16 5. July 19-22 All payments are considered non-refundable, EXCEPT:  Refunds will be issued if we are not able to go due to Covid-19.   Refunds may be made if cancellations can be filled ( if cancellation is due to anything other than Covid-19 travel restrictions) Please consider purchasing travel insurance on your own!!  Here is a link to travel insurance purchase.  This insurance is not through Wild In The Pryors.  Please explore this link for cost comparisons of several companies.   TRIP INSURANCE Contact Sandy with any questions:  406-360-8959 All tours will start and end in Billings, MT. Wild in the Pryors There are many great hotels in Billings, MT. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements before and after the trip.  AirBnb is also a great source to find some lodging.  I can pick you up at your hotel the morning of our first day, or you can meet me at my house in Billings. Feel free to contact me for hotel recommendations.Camping trips will be limited to 5 guests.  Sandy will have an assistant with her who will assist her and help you with any camping needs.  Sandy will personally be doing all of the guiding.For reservations:  Contact Sandy Phone: 406-360-8959  email:  wildinthepryors@aol.com Wild in the Pryors is permitted by the Bureau of Land Management to conduct small group tours within the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range from January to December. Wild in the Pryors is one of a handful of businesses that have the federal permits necessary to guide clients onto this federal property. img_1982

May 2015 on Burnt Timber, Grateful.

Galaxy, May 10, 2015
Galaxy, May 10, 2015

It has been many months since I have been to the mountain.  Many of you have been contacting me and asking if I was okay.  I have gone through some major changes in my life over the last 10 months, but I am great, very happy and looking forward to watching a new chapter in my life unfold.

Sunset at the Monster Lake Ranch, May 9, 2015
Sunset at the Monster Lake Ranch, May 9, 2015

As I watched the sunset out my window at the Monster Lake Ranch, I found myself becoming impatient for the next day to come.  I would be heading up Burnt Timber early the next morning.  Even though I had been away from the mountain since late August, 2014, I still felt very connected to the mountain and the horses.  They are deep in my heart and soul, and all I need to do is think of them and I am on the mountain.  They have helped me through many things in life, and I am grateful to them.

The next morning, my friend Meg and I would be there with them.  I know I have said this in previous posts for this time of year, but I never head up the mountain hoping to see any particular horse or band.  I don’t spend my days searching for one horse, I simply let the day unfold how it was meant to be, and take in the beauty of each and every horse that decides to show themselves to me.

Galadrial and Oceana in snow flakes, May 10, 2015
Galadrial and Oceana in snow flakes, May 10, 2015

We were about 3.5 miles up Burnt Timber around 8 am that morning.  We had not seen any horses yet.  Something caught my eye to the left.  There were several horses quite aways away.  I looked through my binoculars and realize it was Jackson’s band.  But I could not spot Jackson.  Then my heart sunk as I spotted the stallion Doc with them.

Doc had taken Jackson band last spring at this time, but I had learned that Jackson had gotten them back again, over the winter.  But it was now obvious, that Doc had once again taken his band, and I felt sad once again, for Jackson, and hoped he was doing okay.

Doc and Band, May, 2015
Doc and Band, May, 2015

We continued heading up the mountain.  Just as we entered into what is known as “Cheyenne Flats”, we were presented with Galaxy and his band.  I quickly noticed that Maia and her colt Odyssey were not with them.  I emailed Ryan at the BLM and he informed me that they are with Jupiter over on Sykes Ridge.  Odyssey is Galaxy’s first and only foal, and I hope they are able to stay safe away from this magnificent stallions careful watch.  Galaxy has had this band since he took them from Prince in the spring of 2012.  Since that time, I have watched with admiration and amazement at how great of a band stallion he has become.  But not too surprised, as he is the son of Lakota, who was one of the best on the mountain.  He has inherited Lakota’s caring and strong characteristics.

I am going to apologize right now, but I did not get many photos of the band members that were still with him: Hera, Ireland, Limerick and Pococeno.  For I was so taken with Galaxy’s incredible beauty and the striking poses he gave to us.  The light was incredible and the surrounding beauty that surrounded us only made these photos more beautiful.

Hera and Ireland
Hera and Ireland

Galaxy
Galaxy

Limerick
Limerick looking a bit round?

Limerick
Limerick

Galaxy’s focus became intent past us and to the left.  I have been watching these horses for several years, and immediately recognized that he was probably looking at some other horse or horses nearby.  I turned in the direction of his gaze and saw Jackson walk out of the trees.  He was thinner than he looked a month or so ago when I saw him in a photo with his band.  He also had a nasty looking wound on his upper left leg.  It will most likely heal fine, I have seen worse then have.  There are no flies to bother it this time of year, which should make healing easier.  It looked to me like Doc had taken a nasty bite out of his leg.  He did not seem to be limping. That night I emailed both Ryan and Jared about his wound so they could keep an eye on him.

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Jackson
Jackson

Galaxy hurried over to greet Jackson, but there was no kicking or biting, only a greeting of respect, for this band stallion icon.  Similar to what I witnessed several years ago with Jackson and Lakota.

Galaxy heads over to greet Jackson
Galaxy heads over to greet Jackson

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Wild in the Pryors

Lakota's son, Galaxy greets Jackson
Lakota’s son, Galaxy greets Jackson

Wild in the PryorsWild in the Pryors

Jacksons wound
Jacksons wound

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the PryorsAfter a few brief minutes, Jackson turned and continued walking and Galaxy returned to his band.Wild in the Pryors

Hundreds of Galaxy pictures later, we decided to continue up the mountain.  Our next group was the band who I named Fleetwood Mac.  This band consisted of one mare, Nimbus and two to three stallions: Knight, Inali and sometimes London.  London was not with the group, but today they had added yet another band member, Malstrom.  He was clearly part of the group, very much accepted.  It will be interesting to see how long this lasts.

The one thing that I really noticed was how much Knight had matured.  He has grown into a handsome stallion, built very much like his father Cappuccino.  His story reminds us of how strong these wild ones are.  Orphaned at 6 months, survived and now is a band stallion.  I am at awe with his story, and so very proud of him.

Knight leads the way with Nimbus, Malstrom and Inali behind.
Knight leads the way with Nimbus, Malstrom and Inali behind.

Knight
Knight

Knight, Nimbus, Malstrom and Inali
Knight, Nimbus, Malstrom and Inali

My SD carded ran out of space (too many Galaxy photos??!), and I had to do a small hike back up the road to get another.  I was disappointed, but this crew had galloped into the woods, clearly just running because they could.  They had made it through the winter looking good and were simply enjoying life on the mountain.

As luck would have it, once I replaced my card, I caught a horse running in the trees to my right.  It was just a flash, but I was sure it was Tecumseh.  He was chasing Fleetwood Mac, and behind him were Galadrial and her foal Oceana.  I had not seen Oceana yet, she was born in late September.  It was so good to finally meet her!

Galadrial and Oceana, May 10, 2015
Galadrial and Oceana, May 10, 2015

I was really pleased to see how healthy Tecumseh looked.  He had no open wounds and his weight was good.  He looked better than I had seen him since Gringo took his band from him in June 2012.  He also was clearly a good band stallion again.  Very protective and watchful.

Tecumseh, Galadrial and Oceana, May 10, 2015
Tecumseh, Galadrial and Oceana, May 10, 2015

Gringo was down to just one mare now, Beulah.  He seemed content with this, and while he approached and grazed near and with Tecumseh and band, there was only one brief encounter.  It was Tecumseh who initiated the move.  The did some brief boxing and then returned to their grazing.  Little miss Oceana marched right up with her daddy and watched the boxing.  She is a very outgoing and fun little girl.  I look forward to watching her grow up on the mountain.

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Continuing up the mountain just a short way was Mescalaro and his band, with a new member, Feldspar.  She was part of the band, which included her mother, Rosarita and sister Half Moon.  Half Moon looks to be pregnant, I hope I am right, she has only one offspring on the mountain right now, Missoula, it would be good for her to have another.

Half Moon and Broken Bow
Half Moon and Broken Bow

Feldspar
Feldspar

And just as fast as they exited a short way down the road, the Fleetwood Mac band barged into this area.  This band very much reminds me of how the Odd Couple (Horizon, Fiesta and Juniper) were when they first formed their band.  Then the wise and beautiful mare Tonapah joined them and showed them the way of the mountain, and peace and stability took over for them.  I wonder if an older mare will step in to help this band as well.

Nimbus does not look pregnant to me, but she is so tiny, she may be.  If she foaled, I am not sure how that would unfold.  She is a very young inexperience young mare with 3 stallions.  I hope I am right and she is not.

Nimbus watches Missoula
Nimbus watches Missoula

Missoula has grown into a confident young stallion, he is three this year, and as I watched him, I wondered why Mescalero had not kicked him out.  If Mescalero does not kick him out soon, he may have trouble doing so in another year.  Right now, Mescalero has easy authority over him, but give him another year, and he will have a hard time telling this young stallion what to do.

I watched Missoula go over to spar with the Fleetwood Mac boys, he was allowed to do this for a while, but then Mescalero stepped in and reminded him where his place was.

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Knight watches the boys play, but never joins in.
Knight watches the boys play, but never joins in.

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Nimbus, Knight and Malstrom
Nimbus, Knight and Malstrom

Malstom
Malstom

Wild in the Pryors

Mescalero tells Missoula it is time to come home.
Mescalero tells Missoula it is time to come home.

Fleetwood Mac Band takes off on yet another adventure.
Fleetwood Mac Band takes off on yet another adventure.

It started to snow again, as we traveled further up the road.  I wasn’t sure if I would see another band up this high, we were past the old horse trap area and about 2 miles from the top.  I looked ahead and saw some fresh horse manure in the road, and at about the same time, I saw some horses to the right of me in the woods.  It was Jasper with his new band!

Jasper, May 10, 2015
Jasper, May 10, 2015

Last summer, I wrote that I watched Jasper “taking notes”.  I felt this young stallion would be trying for a band soon.  I was right, but his collection of mares was one he clearly worked on, and did it well.  He did not step in and take over just one band, he collected mares from 3 different bands.  They all seemed to be adjusting well with the change.  His band consisted of:  Millicent (Garcia’s band), Lariet and Oklahoma (last seen with Horizon’s band) and Ketchikan and her foal Okiotak (from Gringo’s band).

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Lariat looked extremely thin, but she has looked very thin for a year now.  While he seemed small, her little colt Oklahoma seemed to be doing just fine.  Another testament to the extreme will to survive with these wild horses.  Hope the summer is good to them both and they can put on some much-needed weight.

Milicent was the most watchful of the group.  Her father, Garcia is one of the wildest on the Pryors.  He taught her well to be cautious and observing of her surroundings.

Ketchikan and little Okiotak looked good.  Was Ketchikan pregnant again?  She is one that I am never sure of.  I hope she is not.  Okiotak was born  in October, and unless she was bred immediately, that means she would have another late foal.

Lariat
Lariat

Jasper and band
Jasper’s and band

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Jasper and band
Jasper and band

Oklahoma and Okiotak play
Oklahoma and Okiotak play

Wild in the Pryors

Jasper with Okiotak and Oklahoma
Jasper with Okiotak and Oklahoma

Okiotak
Okiotak

Ketchikan and Okiotak
Ketchikan and Okiotak

Ketchikan and Okiotak
Ketchikan and Okiotak

Oklahoma
Oklahoma

Jasper
Jasper

We left them to sleep in the sun that was now shinning.  I began to wonder if I would make it to the top of the mountain.  My answer was waiting just a short way up the road.  I was about 1/2 mile from the top when I ran into a huge drift in the road.  It would be the end of the road for this day.  I parked Ophelia and hiked around to take in the beauty that surrounded me.

I don’t usually bring a dog with me to the mountain, but this time I had to include my corgi, Dover.  He did well, and he was so small, it did not even seem to interest the horses one bit.  Dover is also used to being around horses, and he did not give them a second glance either.

Ophelia
Ophelia

Walking about 1/2 mile from mountain top
Walking about 1/2 mile from mountain top

Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors Wild in the Pryors

Sandy and Dover hiking through the snow
Sandy and Dover hiking through the snow

We turned around and started back down the mountain, passing a sleeping Jasper band along the way.

Stopping to have a look around, I spotted Hernando and his band.  He was down one member from last fall.  Malestrom was no longer with them.  But Phoenix, Warbonnet and Niobrara were still there.  They all seemed to be doing well.

Sandy and Dover looking for horses
Sandy and Dover looking for horses

Herando and band
Herando and band

Hernando and band
Hernando and band

Back down on Cheyenne Flats, I saw Doc with Jackson’s band.  They had traveled a few miles up the mountain since I had seen them in the early morning of this day.  It was nice to see them up closer.

Teceumseh and his band was there along with a much smaller Duke band.  Duke was now down to 4 members, he had with him, Aurora, Helenium and Outlawlass.  Outlawlass went over to visit with Oceana.  The stayed by each other grazing.  There was a peacefulness to this open area, I inhaled it deeply.  It was good to be back on the mountain.

Wild in the Pryors

Docs
Docs

Jasmine
Jasmine

Nye
Nye

Docs
Docs

Dukes
Dukes

Dukes
Dukes

Dukes
Dukes

Outlawlass with Tecumseh band.
Outlawlass with Tecumseh band.

Outlawlass with Oceana
Outlawlass with Oceana

We left the horses and made our way back down the mountain.  Heading up the road early this morning, I had no idea what I would see, but we had seen over 50 horses (some spotted over on Sykes).  I felt grateful for those that had shown themselves to me.

I am looking forward to my summer here on the mountain.  Introducing people from all over the world to this special herd of horses.  I feel very fortunate to be able to do this.

I have 1 (maybe 2) spots left in my last trip of the summer.  Click 2015 to go to that post and see the dates.  I have also released my 2016 dates.  Click on 2016, to go to that post.

Sandy

Logo designed by Amber Bushnell.  Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.

 

 

2015, The Name Game

Odakota, Nickle and Outlawlass, July 2014.
Odakota, Nickle and Outlawlass, July 2014.

It is time for the Third Annual Wild In The Pryors, “Name Game”!  This is the post where any of you can suggest names for the 2015 foals born in the Pryors.  Of course, like on all the previous years, I can not guarantee that they will be used, but it will be fun to list them, and I do know that every time I discovered a foal, I came to this post to look at all of the suggestions.

In 2000, the BLM started using a letter for each year of foals, starting with A.  This year is the P year.  So please feel free to list your ideas in the comment section of this post.  To read more about this system and why we use names, please refer to my Name Game post that I did last in 2013.  Click on Name Game to go there.

I am looking forward to reading all of your suggestions!  If someone else has already posted your name idea, please list it again anyway.  It will be fun to see what the most popular name suggestions are!

Sandy

Logo designed by Amber Bushnell.  Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.