Grijala

Grijala, August, 2012
Grijala, August, 2012

When I started this blog in February, 2012, I was planning, every once in a while, to post a blog on just one horse.  Touch base with their history and share what experiences I have had with them.

Somehow, besides just a few, I have not followed through with that.  2015 is a new year, and I vowed I would once more highlight a horse.  I won’t be able to do this in the summer months (as I will be camping for most all of it on the top of the mountain), but I will give you these stories during the winter months.

I am going to start with a horse, that in 2011, took the band from my favorite wild horse, Lakota.  I never thought I would want to highlight this horse or turn a focus on him, he was after all the one that I felt contribuated to the death of Lakota.  But as all things in life, time heals wounds, and I find myself thinking a lot about Grijala, I even felt a pull towards him this last summer.  I can’t explain why, but each and every time I saw him, I felt a smile come to my face.  For whatever reason, he has been especially on my mind this winter, and so I decided to share with you Grijala’s story like I know it.

Grijala, October 2010
Grijala, October 2010, near the Big Ice Cave

I first came to know Grijala in 2010.  I had heard about him during the 2009 roundup, but never saw him then, which was good, because every horse that called the Custer National Forest their home, was rounded up and taken off their land.  There were a few that escaped that gather.   Grijala was one of those.

Born in 2006 to Conquistador and Cavalitta (both removed in 2009), Grijalla lived and thrived in the Custer Forest.  He is bigger than many of the other stallions, and part of me wonders if this is due to the fact that he did reside in the National Forest, where there is an abundance of forage.

The first time I saw Grijala, he was with his brother Hernando, just about 1/4 mile from the Big Ice Cave.  It was in October.  I remember that day well, it was the day that they finished the new fence that would lock out the horses from the Custer Forest.  But as I headed down the mountain that day with tears in my eyes, I saw these two still on the land that they were ban from.

Grijala and Hernando, October 2010.  Just above the Big Ice Cave.
Grijala and Hernando, October 2010. Just above the Big Ice Cave.

I am not quite sure how they got them back on the range, but the next time I saw Grijala, was in July 2011, and he very much on the existing horse range, right by my tent in fact, fighting with Lakota to claim his band.

Grijala and Lakota with part of Lakota's band in the early morning light of late July, 2011.
Grijala and Lakota with part of Lakota’s band in the early morning light of late July, 2011.
Kohl, Knight, Jenny and Grijala, July 2011
Kohl, Knight, Jenny and Grijala, July 2011
Lakota, Knight, Grijala and Kohl, July 2011
Lakota, Knight, Grijala and Kohl, July 2011

I watched this story unfold for several days while I was there.  I was concerned for the wounds that both these horses had (I later learned this is where Garay lost part of his ear, he was one of the horses that was challenging Lakota).  These fights weren’t for fun, their wounds were deep and oozing.

Lakota and Grijala
Lakota and Grijala
Kohl, Knight, Grijala and Lakota
Kohl, Knight, Grijala and Lakota
Grijala, 2011
Grijala, 2011
Knight, July 2011
Knight, July 2011
Lakota
Lakota
Grijala and Jenny, 2011
Grijala and Jenny, 2011
Grijala and Kohl, 2011
Grijala and Kohl, 2011

Grijala started to collect several mares, when I saw him in March 2012, he had one more with him,  Kachina.  But, Jenny was now gone, with the stallion Doc, I believe.  Knight, the young orphaned colt, was still with him as well, but shortly after this, Grijala kicked him out.

 

Here is a video I did with footage from 2010-2011.  Grijala is in it with Lakota, filmed in 2011.

Grijala, March 2012
Grijala, March 2012

 

Grijala and his band, March, 2012
Grijala and his band, March, 2012

By May 2012, Grijala had added several more to his band.  Oddly enough, the mares had names that all began with the letter “K”.  I labeled his band members, “The Special K’s”.  With him now, were:  Kachina, Katrina, Kohl and Quelle Colour (which sounds like it begins with “K”.)

Quelle Colour and Grijala, May 2012
Quelle Colour and Grijala, May 2012
Kohl and Kachina, May 2012
Kohl and Kachina, May 2012
Katrina, May 2012
Katrina, May 2012
Kachina, May 2012
Kachina, May 2012
Katrina, Kohl and Kachina, May 2012
Katrina, Kohl and Kachina, May 2012

Just before I arrived in June for my first camping trip of the year, I learned that Lakota was dogging and challenging Grijala for his band.  By the time I arrived, Lakota had broken his front right leg, and Grijala had acquired a few more “K”s.  Now, not only did Grijala have the other K’s I saw in May, but he had added a couple more, Kindra and Kalahari.    Now his band consisted of:  Kindra, Kalahari, Kohl, Kachina, Katrina and Quelle Colour.

Part of the "Special K" band, June 2012
Part of the “Special K” band, June 2012
Lakota watches them from above, June 2012
Lakota watches them from above, June 2012
Lakota watching Grijala, June 2012.
Lakota watching Grijala, June 2012.
Grijala and Katrina, June 2012
Grijala and Katrina, June 2012
Garay and Grijala, June 2012
Garay and Grijala, June 2012
Grijala, June 2012
Grijala, June 2012

Life went on for Grijala and his band, in July 2012, but life ended for Lakota in this month.  Grijala did not know it, but in the following month, his life would change too.

Kalahari, Grijala and Kachina, June 2012
Kalahari, Grijala and Kachina, July 2012

The last removal operated by the BLM in Billings, MT was in the summer of 2012.  It started on the mountain top in late July.   I watched in the last few days of July and the first few in August, the removal of several horses.  It was a painful thing to watch, family bands being stripped apart.

Grijala’s band would be one that would take a hard hit, with the removal of several of his “Special K’s”.  He would lose Kachina, Katrina and Kalahari.

The removal was handled well, I respected Jared and Ryan with how they handled the horses.  One of the things they did was to quietly capture each band at a time.  This was a bait trap removal, which meant that several pens were set up and the horses were captured by placing “bait” or treats of hay and mineral blocks in the pens.  From there, the horses were taken according to a well thought out removal process, based on history and lineage, which horses would be removed.

However, Grijala was in a panic as he watched his band members captured.  He was unaware that he would be getting some back.  But at this minute in time, he thought he was losing them all.  I watched him go from calmly standing guard by the pen they were in, to frantically racing around as they loaded some in the trailers.

Grijala keeps watch over his mares, August 2012
Grijala keeps watch over his mares, August 2012
Grijala, August 2012, calling for his mares that are being loaded.
Grijala, August 2012, calling for his mares that are being loaded.
Grijala
Grijala
Grijala in a panic.
Grijala in a panic.
Grijala
Grijala

At the end of that day, he would be left with Kohl, Quelle Colour, and Kalahari.  But Kalahari would be removed the next day.  Kindra had been stolen by Garay in all the confusion.  His band of Special K’s were now down to just Kohl and Quelle Colour.

One more day with Kalahari before she was removed.  August 2012.  Quelle Colour, Kohl, Kalahari and Grijala
One more day with Kalahari before she was removed. August 2012. Quelle Colour, Kohl, Kalahari and Grijala
A Wildfire influenced sunset at the end of that day, August 2012.
A Wild Fire influenced sunset at the end of that day, August 2012.

The horses all adapted to the changes of the removal.  When I came back in September, I was surprised at how life just seemed to go on.  It was so odd to see Grijala and his now very small band of just mother and daughter (Quelle Colour and Kohl).

But, I was even more surprised when I saw Grijala in June 2013, back to being a bachelor.  Quelle Colour and Kohl were now with Garay, but in the winter of 2012-13, Kindra had somehow disappeared.   Most members of the Special K mares were now gone.  (Kalahari lives in Virginia with the other Pryor 8, Katrina and Kachina, both giving birth to Grijala offspring in the spring of 2013, live in Montana).

Katrina and her new foal, April 2013.
Katrina and her new foal, April 2013.
Kachina and her foal, April 2013
Kachina and her foal, May, 2013
Kachina, Grijala colt, General.
Kachina, Grijala colt, General.
General today, Grijala and Kachina's colt.  Photo by Trisha Hagen
General today, Grijala and Kachina’s colt. Photo by Trisha Hagen

I didn’t expect Grijala to remain a bachelor for long.  He had worked so hard at being a band stallion.  But he seemed content to just “hang with the boys”.   Maybe the responsibility of being a band stallion was just to much for him, I don’t know the answer, but I was sure it would not continue for long.

Hamlet, Grijala and Inali, June 2013
Hamlet, Grijala and Inali, June 2013
Grijala and Inali
Grijala and Inali
Grijala with Inali with Knight, London and Hamlet.  June 2013
Grijala with Inali with Knight, London and Hamlet. June 2013
Grijala and Knight
Grijala and Knight
Grijala with the boys, June 2013
Grijala with the boys, June 2013

The summer of 2013 moved on, but still, Grijala was on his own, most often spotted with some other bachelors.  He seemed content.

Grijala on far right, part of the "Boys of Summer".  July 2013.
Grijala on far right, part of the “Boys of Summer”. July 2013.

Wild in the Pryors

Grijala with Jasper, July 2013
Grijala with Jasper, July 2013
Chino, Grijala, Jasper and Custer, July 2013
Chino, Grijala, Jasper and Custer, July 2013
July 2013
July 2013

Grijala was still with the bachelors, when I spotted him in late October.  Although he looked a bit different now.  He was heavier than I had seen him since 2010.  Bachelorhood was agreeing with him.

Grijala, October 2013
Grijala, October 2013
Grijala with his look alike brother, Hernando, October 2013.
Grijala with his look alike brother, Hernando, October 2013.
Grijala, October 2013
Grijala, October 2013

I returned to the mountain in Mid-February, 2014.  As I was heading down the dirt road towards Burnt Timber, I looked towards the mountain.  I thought I saw movement, so I stopped the truck and glassed towards the mountain.  I could see two horses trotting at a steady pace right along the fence line of the range.  I hurried to Burnt Timber and unload Ophelia (my UTV) and headed up the snow-covered road.  My timing was perfect, just as I reached the entry to the range, I saw the two horses, still going at a pretty steady pace.  It was Jasper and Grijala.  They both looked like healthy fuzzy ponies.

They seemed to be on a mission, and I immediately thought perhaps they were planning on working together to gain some mares from another band stallion.

Grijala, February, 2014
Grijala, February, 2014
Grijala
Grijala
Jasper and Grijala, February 2014
Jasper and Grijala, February 2014

I would see them often on this trip, watching  Cappuccino’s band.  I was sure that when I returned in April that I would see Grijala with some mares again.

Sunset on Burnt Timber Road, February 2014
Sunset on Burnt Timber Road, February 2014

When I got to the mountain top in June 2014,  I expected to find Grijala with some mares, but again, I was surprised to still see him without any.  He was still with the bachelors.  It appeared he was taking the time to train some new ones.

It impressed me that he was taking the time to take these recently “kicked out” two-year olds under his careful guidance.  Even though Grijala is only 8, he has a lot to teach and share with these young stallions.

Grijala and Mica, June 2014
Grijala and Mica, June 2014
Grijala
Grijala
Grijala, Mandan and Mica
Grijala, Mandan and Mica
Grijala and Mandan, June 2014
Grijala and Mandan, June 2014
Grijala, Mandan, Mica and London, June 2014
Grijala, Mandan, Mica and London, June 2014

I continued to see Grijala stay with the boys, I don’t believe I ever saw him alone.  It seemed like he really enjoyed harassing the other band stallions.  I often saw him just running through and around a band with his “gang” of boys.  It humored me to watch him do this simply for the thrill of it, as if to see how far he could push the band stallions, very much like a teenage boy pushing the boundaries with his parents.

Pushing Doc's buttons
Pushing Doc’s buttons
Moorcroft, Grijala, London and Jasper, August, 2014
Moorcroft, Grijala, London and Jasper, August, 2014

Wild in the Pryors

Grijala, Mandan and Moorcroft
Grijala, Mandan and Moorcroft

I spotted Grijala and some boys up on the Skyline meadow, one mid-August day.  I was hiking with a friend.  Coming out of a group of trees, we almost bumped into him as he stepped out of the dark woods.

This is the meadow that the BLM installed a water guzzler in 2010, (and also where the horse Big Foot lived for his last few years) with the intent to try to encourage the horses to go up there and graze this meadow.  I made a post about this meadow in February, 2012.  If you would like to read more about it, you can click on MEADOW to go there.

Needless to say, seeing him along with 3 other horses up there, was very encouraging.  Hopefully we can get a new generation of horses using this area again.

And so, the summer of 2014 came to a close and Grijala still continued to be a bachelor.  However, I did start to notice something interesting.  There are a few foals and young horses (under 2) that have that “Grijala Star”.  Two of them belong in Garcia’s band, and since I saw Garcia try to mount his yearling “daughter” several times this summer, it made me think, that perhaps she IS Grijala’s, not Garcia’s.  Just my own personal observation, I have no documentation to proof if I am right…. But it does explain Grijala’s contentment.  Does he have the best of both worlds?  A carefree bachelor life along with a few “flings” on the mountain to keep him happy?  It certainly is something to think about..and watch.

Grijala offspring?
Grijala offspring?  Orlando and Norma Jean from Garcia’s band.  Photo by Brianna Harvey

Regardless,  I am looking forward to seeing what happens with this amazing stallion in the upcoming year and years ahead.  He is a strong force on the mountain, that will no doubt have an impact on the future generations of Pryor Mountain Wild Horses.

Sandy

Grijala, August 2014
Grijala, August 2014

 

Missing Lakota, My Spirit Horse

Lakota at my campsite, July 2011
Lakota at my campsite, July 2011

The start of my camping season in the Pryors is just around the corner.  Amber and I are planning a trip to the top of the mountain in June.  I will be there a few times before that, but that is when the camping season starts for me.

This will be my forth summer camping up there.  The first year (2010) I spent  10 days there, 2011, I spent 14 days there, 2012, I spent 33 days there.  This year I will be in the Pryors for over 50 days.  I sense a trend here.  I wonder what next year will bring.

With that in mind, I started to think about Lakota, and how much a part of those trips he had been.  I miss him, there is no denying it and I hope I don’t bore you with this post.  But I thought that perhaps going through all the photos of my days in the Pryors would help me miss him less.  There was some comfort in it, but it actually made me miss him more.  All those “less than perfect” shots that I passed by of him and his band the first time around, suddenly looked perfect to me.  I didn’t care about the shadows, focus, or composition, I just became grateful for every photo I had of him.  I miss you my friend.

I decided to share these never before seen, less than perfect shots of Lakota, I hope you are touched by them as much as I have been.  A few of them are repeats, but not many.

I first knew who Lakota was in October of 2010.  You can read my post, LAKOTA to learn more about his history and this meeting.

Lakota, October 2010
Lakota, October 2010

I was just learning all of the horses then, it was confusing and I doubted I would ever be able to learn and recognize all of the stallions, let alone all of the mares and new foals.  But now, on my forth year to the Pryors, I think I know them all very well.  With the amount of time I have spent with the horses and with the amount of time I spend studying them at home when I am not there,  I would say maybe I have a bachelors degree in the Pryor Mountain Wild Horses.  Not a masters degree like some I know, but a very solid bachelors.  That was a fun thought to think about.  I am not mentioning this to brag, but I have studied in college (many years ago) and I realize that I have probably put in more dedicated time studying the Pryor Horses than I ever did studying in college.

So with my knowledge of today, and my goal of trying not to miss him so much, I decided to spend some time watching video and looking through photos to see when exactly the first time I saw Lakota was.

I found out that the first time I saw Lakota was in August of 2010.  He was with his band, by Kreuger Pond.   I even have video of him that day. (you can see this footage in the video I have posted at the end of this post.  His 2010 band is at about 2:30 into the video.  There is also many footage of him in other years throughout this video). His band then consisted of  Quelle Colour (pregnant with Kohl), Blanca with her foal Kalispell, Half Moon with her foal, Kiowa and Heritage with her foal Kootenai.  I had no way of knowing then, that in two years, I would be able to look out my window of my house everyday and see two of these foals, now almost  3 years old. (Kiowa and Kootenai)

Starman band, Lakota band and Custer band.  August 2010
Starman band, Lakota band and Custer band. August 2010
Sante Fe band and Lakota band, August 2010
Sante Fe band and Lakota band, August 2010
Blanca and Kalispell, August 2010
Blanca and Kalispell, August 2010
Kootenai, August 2010
Kootenai, August 2010
Blanca and Kalispell, August, 2010
Blanca and Kalispell, August, 2010

I would next see Lakota and his band in October 2010.

Lakota, October 2010.
Lakota, October 2010.

I would not see Lakota again, until July 2011. Today, I found many photos that I had never published from that trip.  That is when Grijala was fighting Lakota for his band.  We woke up on our first day with this band surrounding us.  They seemed comfortable with us at our campsite, and stayed several hours.

It was then that I fell in love with Lakota.  I had admired him before now, but this was the day I fell in love with him.   I spent enough time with him that morning, to feel his strength, pain, and determination.   He was the perfect stallion to me, and I begin to find myself being sucked into the world with him.  Even after I left the mountain, I worried about him and what was happening.  I learned that Grijala would take the band from him and he would be alone.  My heart broke with his.

Grijala and Lakota snaking the band together, July 2012
Grijala and Lakota snaking the band together, July 2012

While we were there that day in July 2011, we watched this scene unfold before our eyes.  The still moments, the very thought-out moves and the interaction among the band was even more apparent to me today as I relived that morning.

Lakota 2011-10
Lakota, July 2011
Lakota 2011-12
Grijala with Lakota’s Band, July 2011
Lakota 2011-18
Lakota
Lakota 2011-11
Lakota with Jenny, July 2011
Lakota and Grijala, July 2011.
Lakota and Grijala, July 2011.
Lakota 2011-16
Lakota
Lakota 2011-17
Lakota
Quelle Colour, Kohl and Grijala
Quelle Colour, Kohl and Grijala
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
Knight, Kohl, Lakota and Grijala, July 2011
Knight, Kohl, Lakota and Grijala, July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
Jenny and Quelle Colour
Jenny and Quelle Colour
Grijala and Kohl
Grijala and Kohl
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
July 2011
Lakota takes time to roll.
Lakota takes time to roll.
Lakota posturing at Grijala, July 2011
Lakota posturing at Grijala, July 2011
Lakota snaking the band.
Lakota snaking the band.
Lakota, July 2011
Lakota, July 2011
Several Bands, Lakota and Grijala (and Band) in the middle.  July 2011
Several Bands, Lakota and Grijala (and Band) in the middle. July 2011
Lakota
Lakota

I returned to the mountain the following month (August) with my daughter Amber.  We only got one very brief view of Lakota.  It was just before dark.  He was heading to Kreuger Pond, and he was alone.

Lakota, August 2011
Lakota, August 2011

In September I would again go to the mountain, but I would not see him that trip.  Then in October I was there for just a day.  You know the story if you have read my post Lakota.  I would see him just as I was about to leave the mountain.

My heart broke even more that day as I watched him.  There was a look in his eyes that made me sad.   His will to live seemed to leaving him.  I had heard stories of stallions that just give up after they loose their bands, I hoped he would not be one of them.  I worried about him all winter.

Lakota 2011-October 5

In March of 2012 I headed to the Pryors.  It was my birthday.  I was hoping to see Lakota, but I knew that the chances would be very slim.  The horses are so spread out this time of year, and travel is very limited.

I saw him.  It was just a chance finding really.  You can read about that day by clicking THE GIFT.

Lakota gave me one of the best birthday presents I have ever had.  Showing himself to me.  He looked great too.  The winter had been kind to him and he had put on a lot of weight since I had seen him last.

Lakota, March 2012
Lakota, March 2012
Lakota
Lakota

I would not see him in April when I returned, but in May 2012, he gave me another very special gift.  You can read about that encounter, by clicking on Finding Lakota.

It was one of the most incredible moments of my life and most definitely the most incredible moments I have ever had with a wild horse.  I will always remember it.  Every time I head up Burnt Timber road, I point out this spot to whom ever is with me.  I don’t care if they don’t care to hear it.  I say it out loud every time.  I will never forget that day.

Lakota, May 2012
Lakota, May 2012
Lakota, May 2012
Lakota, May 2012
Lakota, May 2012
Lakota, May 2012
Lakota
Lakota

I was so happy and excited for Lakota.  He looked so good and that sparkle was back in his eye.  I heard from Shawn a few weeks later that he was dogging Grijala, trying to get his band back.  I thought “Good for you Lakota”.  Even though he was 20, I had every confidence that he would prevail and win his band back, or at least Quelle Colour, his faithful and devoted long time mare.

But it was not to be.

I returned the middle of June, only being away for 3 weeks.  I received a text from Matt on the first evening I was there. “Lakota is injured”, the text read.  I was lucky to find a place where I had fairly good cell service and called Matt.  He told me Lakota was down Burnt Timber Road a ways.  The next day, my friend Linda and I headed down in search of him.  We passed Grijala and his band way down in a valley below us.  Continuing down the road, not much further, was Lakota, looking down towards his former band.

I knew right away by looking at the pain in his eyes that it was not good.  Linda and I tried to have hope and we managed to have some.  But I think I knew deep down that my first thought was the right one.  Lakota would never win his beautiful chestnut mare back.  He would be lucky to survive this injury.  You can read more about that day by clicking on Healing Thoughts For Lakota.  I did not know that these would be the last photos I would have of him alive.

Lakota, June 2012
Lakota, June 2012
Lakota
Lakota
Lakota
Lakota
Lakota
Lakota

I kept in contact with other people that were on the mountain after I left. (thank you Ginger and Jared).  Some saw him, and I held out hope he would make it through this injury.

I returned 3 weeks later and spent most of my time searching for him.  I never found him.  It was heartbreaking.  You can read about that trip by clicking on Searching For Lakota.

Two weeks later, my phone rang.  It was Jared and he said the words I did not want to hear.  “I euthanized Lakota last night.”  It was July 24, 2012.   I weeped for days and I still do, even I as write this post.  Click on Remembering Lakota.

Lakota, July 2011
Lakota, July 2011

I made several trips to the mountain last summer, after Lakota’s death.  Lori, Shawn and I held a memorial a week after Lakota died.    And you know what?   He died where he knew I could always find and see him.  Not far from my campsite.  I believe it was his last gift to me.  It was apparent he had been there for some time.  There was a perfect circle (about 20 feet)  of eaten grass around his body.  He could not move any longer and so he stayed and ate what he could.

Lakota's memorial
Lakota’s memorial

One of the first things I will do on my first trip up the mountain this year, will be to visit Lakota.  By now, I am sure I will have to pick up his bones and carefully stack what is left of him by the memorial that I made last July.

I hope as time passes, my pain will subside.  I just hope the ache in my heart and in the pit of my stomach, that I am feeling as I write this, will pass some.   Not all though.

I do have some comfort when I look out the window at his young son, Kootenai.  As each day passes, he looks more and more like his father.  I know that a part of Lakota lives on through him and his daughter Kiowa.

I am also sure that Lakota’s spirit is living on, on top of the mountain.  I feel it every time I am there.  I am sure he will be running through the lupine again this year, just like I saw him in July of 2011.   My Spirit Horse.

I miss you Lakota.

Sandy

Lakota, July 2011
Lakota, July 2011
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell

Day 3 on the Mountain, August 1, 2012

As always, I woke up just as the sky was starting to turn pink from the rising sun.  I could see several horses. It was good to see them.  They were not out the day before.  I wondered what horses had slept by us.

I decided to grab my camera and walk a short way to see some of the bands.   I saw Doc, Coronado, and Baja bands.  Then, something happened that I found very unusual.  When Kiva from Cornado’s band saw me, she whinnied and started trotting towards me.  I wasn’t sure what to think.  She continued a few more steps and then stopped.  I wondered if for a few seconds she saw my motion and thought maybe I was her missing foal.  That is the only thing I could think of.  She continued to keep a close eye on my while the rest of her band ate.

Coronado and his band, August 1, 2012
Kiva, August 1, 2012
Kiva still watching me, August 1, 2012

I am extremely sad about Kiva’s removal.  I have watched her grow from a little filly into a young mother.  It will be really hard not to see her out on the range.

Of course I will miss every horse that was removed, but there are a few who will especially leave an empty space, and she is one of them.

Kiva, October 2010

I watched as the band walked past me and continued on.

Fools Gold and Kiva, August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
Coronado’s band, August 1, 2012

I looked back and saw Broken Bow and Malpais grooming each other.  It was another peaceful morning.  I watched the other bands for a few minutes before I turned back.  It was so peaceful, I felt out-of-place, so I decided to leave them and let them continue their morning without me disturbing it.

August 1, 2012
Baja’s band, August 1, 2012
Washakie and her new filly, Meadowlark, August 1, 2012

Shortly after I got back to our camp, I saw Grijala and his band.  The three Special K’s and Quelle Colour.   He would loss one more K later that day, Kalahari.

I wondered if he would try to win Ketchikan from Gringo.

Grijala’s band, August 1, 2012
Quelle Colour, August 1, 2012
Kohl, August 1, 2012
Kalahari, August 1, 2012
Kindra, August 1, 2012
Grijala, August 1, 2012

We decided to go to the pond.  Doc and Grijala had beat us there.

Broken Bow
August 1, 2012

Everything was pretty peaceful, until Doc decided that he did not want Grijala anywhere near his band.  He took off after them and chased them down the hill towards the pond.

Doc
Running from Doc!
Demure and Melpais, August 1, 2012

After a brief exchange, Grijala took his band and went to the other side of the pond.

Doc and Grijala
August 1, 2012

Then Doc and his band went to the pond to drink.  This was where I really noticed the closeness that Doc and Jenny had developed.

Doc’s Band

For what ever reason, Doc was in the lead.  I think perhaps he felt the pressure from Grijala, still on the other side of the pond.  Usually it is the lead mare that leads and the stallion stays in the back.

Doc’s band

We waited a while, it was quiet.  We decided to go back to camp and pack up.  We did not want to be here for another day of removals.  It was just too hard.

As we packed up and ate lunch, we saw our new friend, Booboo bear come over the ridge.  I was able to get several shots of him.  In fact, I was expecting him to come for a visit, he had for the last two days.

August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012
August 1, 2012

We headed down the road towards the pond, once more.  Stopping to talk to some people and meet some others that were there.  The Billings Gazette was there that day.  You can read the article they wrote by, clicking PRYORS.

It had been a good trip.  I got to know Lori so much better and consider her a very close friend.  I also got to say goodbye to Lakota and goodbye to some horses that I will no longer see on the range.  It was sad in many ways, but peaceful in others.  As always, I will treasure my trip to the mountain.

My next trip to the mountain will be soon.  I am taking my daughter Amber this time.  Then I will be back for the adoption.  I am hoping to be able to give one of the horses a special home with us.  We will have to see how it all works out.  But I am hoping for the best.

The next morning I would go to check on Cecelia.  If you have not read that post click CECELIA.  Matt emailed me this weekend and said she still had not foaled!  Soon!  I am sure!

Sandy

Logo designed by Amber Bushnell

Mountain Top Update, July 30, 2012 (Afternoon)

After spending some time with the horses down in Britton Springs, Lori and I headed up Crooked Creek Road.  I had not been up Crooked Creek for 2 years.  Last year it was closed most of the time while they did some work on it.  I could feel my heart starting to beat a little faster as I turned to go up it.  I have a bit of a fear of heights, so this road really tests that fear.

They did do a good job improving the road.  However, it could have been wider!  HA  I know that would be an almost impossible task to do, given the steep cliff side that the road is on.  It is still a road that I would not like to meet anyone coming towards me from the opposite way.  I still prefer Sage Creek Road over this one.  Even Burnt Timber is better for me.

We made it up to the top and stopped and looked at the trap site.  It was pretty quiet there.  We decided to go to my camp site and set up our tents.

I was unloading my camp stuff when I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  It must be a horse I thought, so I turned to look.  Well, it was not a horse, but a bear.  He was standing up on his hind legs looking at me, no more than 50 feet away.  Perhaps I should have grabbed my bear spray, but instead I grabbed my camera.  While I was fumbling with the camera, he stood up again and started to run off. He turned to look at us one more time.   I snapped this photo of him right before he ran into the woods.

July 30, 2012

There are a lot of bears in the Pryors, especially this year.  I have seen at least one every trip I have taken.  This trip I would see 5.  I also will add that all 5 were seen from my campsite.  I keep a very clean camp.  I used to cook some food at night, but this year I only eat cold food.  The only time I use my camp stove is to boil water for coffee in the morning.  I have never had a bear get in my stuff.  I would like to think that is because of my clean camp.  I hope everyone else that camps up here will be as careful.  Lori and I decided that  we would sleep in our vehicles instead of our tents.  I am sure we would have been fine in our tents, but I believe we got more sleep by sleeping in our trucks.

We continued to set up camp.  Custer’s band came over to watch us and then turned and headed towards the pond where the trap was set up.  It would be the last time I would be able to photograph Leo in the wild.

Custer band, July 30, 2012

The light was pretty bright, so the photos are not the best.  But I like to take photos any time of day on the mountain.  I don’t really care if the light is perfect, I just want the memories.

Fiasco, July 30, 2012

I thought Fiasco looked like she might be pregnant.  I know she had Kaibab and Leo in August, so I am hoping she may have a foal yet this year.

Winnemucca and Custer, July 30, 2012
Leo, July 30, 2012.  Moments before his removal

We finished setting up camp and headed towards the pond.  I wanted to see if Jared Bybee was there yet.  I had sent him an email to thank him for ending Lakota’s suffering, but I wanted to thank him in person.

When we got to the trap site, we were surprised and disappointed to see Leo in there.  Custer was driving his mares away from the trap.  It was pretty painful to watch, so after talking with Jared for a few minutes we decided to leave.

Just before we left I saw Santa Fe.

Santa Fe, July 30, 2012

As we headed down the road back to our camp, we saw Custer and his mares standing calmly.  I learned over the few days that I watched the removal, that the horses would settle down pretty fast when they were away from the trap site.  But when they were near by and hearing the whinnies of the horses, or the sound of the trailer,  it could get pretty intense.  But it was nice to know that once they were a distances from it that life seemed to go on.  It was a small comfort.  Life will be fine on the mountain.

Custer’s band minutes after Leo’s removal.

I knew the next thing I needed to do was to go and see Lakota.  I know I already told you a bit about his memorial in my post a few days ago. If you want to read that click on Lakota.  There were a few things I wanted to add.  The feather that I added to the rocks was one that I found. (it is not the most visible feather that you see, it is dropped down in the middle of the rocks and you can just see the very top of it).  I was riding my horse Oreo in the mountains above our land on Monday, July 23, the day that Lakota died.  I happened to look down and there laid a perfect feather from a Red Tail Hawk.  I got off and picked it up.  It was beautiful.  I did not know what I would do with it, but later that week I realized it would be perfect for Lakota.

My hope is that those that knew Lakota will stop and add a rock or feather to his memorial.  I also hope that those that pass, will not take his bones.  I know some will disappear, but I hope that most will remain there.

Lakota’s memorial

A saw 3 horses off in the distances towards Penn’s Cabin.  It was Garcia’s band.  This is one band that I never seem to see very often.  I drove over to see them.

Garcia, Millicent and Greta, July 30, 2012
Garcia’s Band, July 30, 2012

We decided to take a break and sit in the shade, it had been a pretty emotional day.  As we sat there, we heard something.  It dawned on me what it was.  I told Lori to grab her camera.  The sound of thundering hoofs was coming our way.  We could not see them yet, but I knew it would not be long before we did.

July 30, 2012
July 30, 2012
Quelle Colour, July 30, 2012. Is she pregnant? I thought she was, but not sure now.
July 30, 2012
Washakie and her new filly, July 30, 2012
July 30, 2012
July 30, 2012
Teton, Missoula and Half Moon.
Missoula and Half Moon, July 30, 2012
July 30, 2012
LaSalle, July 30, 2012

Once again, the light was way to bright for these photos above, but I wanted the memories.  It would be the last time I would see many of these horses running together.  I didn’t care about the light.

It was getting late and we decided to eat something.   We had forgotten  to eat lunch (something that seems to be pretty easy to do up here!)  It seemed quiet and we wondered if they were done for the day.  Some people stopped by to talk and wanted to know where they might see some horses.  Shawn came by and said that they were still working the trap.  Lori and I decide to head down there and see who they had removed.

It was almost 7 by now.  Jared and Ryan were patiently working the trap. Despite what is said in other posts and blogs right now about this removal, I was here first hand watching and I was impressed with Jared and Ryan.  They were patient, respectful and caring towards the horses.

Tonopah was whinning nearby.  They had Jedediah in the trap.

All of the horses in the area were watching.

Duke’s Band, July 30, 2012
July and her colt, July 30, 2012
Galaxy and his band, July 30, 2012
Galaxy
Ireland and Maia
Gringo and Kechikan (Gold Rush’s daughter)
Pocochino, July 30, 2012
Ireland
Ketchikan
Ireland

Grijala was very worked up.  His whole band of “Special K’s”, minus Kalahari were in the trap.  Quelle Colour was in it as well.  Kalahari wanted to run away, but Grijala kept snaking her back and running around in a panic.  I knew they weren’t going to keep all the K’s, Kindra and Kohl would be let out of the trap along with Quelle Colour.  But Grijala did not have any way of knowing this.  He would loss Katrina and Kachina that day.  But as soon as they let QC, Kohl and Kindra out, he settled right down.  I would see them the next day.

Grijala watches QC and the Special K’s in the trap, July 30, 2012
Grijala
Grijala calls for his mares.
Grijala
Grijala
Grijala, July 30, 2012

A few other bands came in to watch.  Doc’s band remained calm.  But Horizon, Fiesta and Juniper were constantly trying to stir things up.

Doc, July 30, 2012
Horizon, Juniper and Fiesta
Juniper
Part of Galaxy’s and Gringo’s band watches.

Gringo and his band were pretty worked up as well.  I knew that they had LaSalle.

Gringo’s band, July 30, 2012
Gringo
Gringo
Gringo’s band
Gringo’s band
July 30, 2012
Gringo
July 30, 2012

When the trailer started to back up to the pens it seemed to trigger a memory for Baja.  He came out of nowhere calling.

Baja, July 30, 2012
Baja
Baja calls out.

Custer’s band watched silently and Garciana and Jacinta called for their offspring.

Custer’s band, July 30, 2012
Garciana, July 30, 2012
Jacinta, July 30, 2012
Garciana

 

Neither Lori or I wanted to stay any longer.  It was very hard to see this.   I did and still do support this removal.  But that does not mean that I or anyone else who supports it, did not feel the pain.

I felt a lot pain that day.  Pain for the removal of band members, pain for the loss of Lakota.  Pain for the unrest that filled the air.

Custer’s band leaving.

At day’s end  July 30, 2012, six horses were removed.  They were: Katrina and Kachina from Grijala’s band.  LaSalle from Gringo’s band.  Leo from Custer’s band. Kane from Blue Moon’s band and Jedediah from Duke’s band.

It had been a very long and emotional day.   I did not sleep well that night.

Sandy

Logo designed by Amber Bushnell