I am a little late announcing this birth. I did post on Wild In The Pryor Facebook page, shortly after he was born, but was waiting for just the right photos to announce it here. These photos were taken this week by Brittny Budde. Thank you so much Brittny for letting me use them!
Pryor Foal # 11 for 2018 was born to Feldspar and Mescalero. Feldspar is the 2005 daughter of Rosarita and Starman. Mescalero is the 1999 son of Sitka and Shaman.
Mescalero, Sirius and Feldspar.
The foal is a colt and he has been named Sirius. He is named in honor of his grandfather Starman. Sirius is a star system and the brightest star in the Earth’s night sky.
Welcome little one. I hope you are able to shine on the mountain top your entire life.
In all the years I have been going to the Pryors, I have grown to believe that the mountain gives you gifts according to what your energy or attitude is while you are walking on the horses’ ground. You just need to be aware of what and when they happen and be thankful for the gift. This morning was one of those times, and I will hold it in my heart.
On July 9, 2013, my guest Jeanne (who has become a very dear friend) and her two young grandchildren, along with my daughter Amber, witnessed a birth of a foal to a young two-year old filly named Labrava. I won’t go into the details here, but if you would like to read that post you can click on NACER.
Today, just a few days long of the July 2013 birth, Labrava gave birth again. And myself and Abbie were the first to witness this miracle.
We had 3 wonderful photographer guests that wanted to get first light in the morning. I actually love the early morning, and was eager take them out and find horses. After a few minutes of shooting Tecumseh/ Gringo band and Doc’s band, we decided to move down the road a bit. I parked the car and just took in the beautiful landscape while I sipped my first cup of coffee for the day. After spending several weeks on the mountain, I have often just enjoyed leaving my camera down and taking in the horses and landscape with my eyes. As I did this, I noticed Irial’s band to my left. I counted the horses, including Irial. Irial has the biggest band on the mountain at 11. He was one short. Abbie and I had been watching Labrava closely, and we thought she was very near to foaling. We saw them the night before and she was walking as if she was uncomfortable. In a perfect world, we hoped that she would foal that night, but we weren’t sure, because sometimes they can actually go on for days looking that way.
I looked through my binoculars past the other members of Irial’s band. Just below the hill, I could see LaBrava. I immediately thought she looked thinner. Could she have had her foal?? I turned to Abbie and said. Let’s go take a look. We took a very wide berth around her (more than 200 feet or more), we walked slowly over. There on the ground was a tiny dark foal! LaBrava was comfortable sharing her new life as we watched. As soon as he stood, it was obvious he was a colt that was going to look just like his father!
Thank you LaBrava for showing us this gift!
The 10th Pryor Foal 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. I’ll let you know when a name has been chosen!
LaBrava with her new colt and her daughter Pilar (Pixie)
Pryor Foal # 9 was born in the Dryhead while I was on the mountain top. LaNina has given birth to a colt. His name is Stillwater. I do not have any photos to post, but when I do I will post.
LaNina is the 2013 daughter of Bakken. The sire of this foal could be two horses. Hidalgo or Hidatsa.
Out of the 9 foals born, there are currently 6 surviving.
Note: June 8, 2018. It is with great sadness that I have to report that little Stargazer died. Every year I try to remind myself not to get too attached. But for some reason, this little one really tugged at my heart. I hadn’t even met him yet, but still, there was a special place for him in my heart. Quintana may have been a very young mother, but I was told she cared deeply for him. Rest in peace little one.
Another two year old filly has given birth in the Pryors. Quintana (Quartz) has given birth to a colt, at this time the father is unknown. His name is going to be Stargazer, in memory of his great-grandfather Starman.
Starman, July 2011.
Quintana (Quartz) is the 2016 daughter of Feldspar and Mescalero. It is amazing that Mescalero is now a grandfather! Quartz is Mecalero’s only known offspring, so it is important to keep his line going, especially since he is now 19 years old.
Quartz and her new colt!Quartz’s new colt
Thank you Dennis McCollough for the use of your photos! It is very appreciated!
I am counting down the days until Abbie and I will be there to see these little ones for ourselves! I realize we would not want these births by these young filly’s to happen, but I will still be happy to see these little ones playing in the wildflowers! Especially after all of last years pain and loss of the foals.
Quillan and her new filly. Photo taken by Dennis McCollough
The 7th 2018 foal has been discovered! This foal was born to two year old, Quillan. Quillan is the 2016 daughter of Ireland and Galaxy. The father of this foal is unknown. She has been named Silver Bow.
Quillan, July 3, 2016Quillan and her filly. Photo by Dennis M.3 Generations! Ireland, Quillan and her filly. Photo by Dennis M.Quillan and her filly. Photo by Dennis M.
Thank you Dennis McCollough for the use of your photos! Abbie and I will be on the mountain very soon! I can’t wait to see this little one in person!
Two more foals have been born on the mountain. Both were born to three year old filly’s. How did that happen? They were supposed to be vaccinated to prevent this. Let’s take a look at how that may have happened.
In 2016, an east coast group (Friends of Animals) filed a lawsuit against the BLM. This lawsuit caused the delay of the 2017 PZP vaccines until later in the spring. I believe this is what caused both of these 3 year olds to give birth. As a three year old, they need to have two injections, spaced a few weeks apart. Penny was given her first booster on 4-17-17, her second was given on 5-4-17 (she was already pregnant by then). Pegasus was given her first booster on 3-29-17, her second on 4-14-17. While she was not pregnant yet, there may not have been enough time for it to become effective. After the first year, the mares only need one injection each year. This should be noted on their records, and not be held against them when deciding who and if they should be removed.
Penny/Pele, June 2015
The fifth 2018 foal has been born to Penny (Pele) and Irial. Penny is the 2015 daughter of Fools Gold and Coronado. The foal, a colt, was born the week of May 13. The name Sparrow was chosen for him. I will post photos as soon as I can get some recent ones. At the time of this post, I had been informed that he was missing and presumed dead. Rest in peace little one.
Penny/Pele nursing from her mother, Fools Gold, July 2017
The sixth 2018 foal has been born to Pegasus. She was born this week. Pegasus is the 2015 daughter of Ireland and Galaxy.
UPDATE: When Abbie and I got a glimpse of Missoula and his band just down the road, we were very excited! I couldn’t wait to see Shamrock. Unfortunately, it was not to happen. Sometime between Sunday June 17 and the day we saw them (Tuesday June 19), Shamrock disappear. Another heartbreaking discovery. Rest in Peace little one.
Pegasus holds a special place in my heart. I was one of the first to see her, shortly after her birth, and I was able to pick her name.
Pegasus with her mom Ireland, July 2015Pegasus’s new filly, Shamrock. Photo by Dennis McCollough
Pegasus has had a rough winter/spring, somehow being separated from her family band with her sister Limerick. At the time of her foals birth, Pegasus was with the young stallion Missoula. (another that I was lucky enough to name!) An unexperienced filly with her first foal, along with an unexperienced stallion, is not an ideal situation, I am hoping for the best for this young mother and her filly.
Pegasus with Fiasco, June 2017Limerick, Shamrock and Pegasus. Photo by Dennis McCollough.Pegasus and her filly, Shamrock. Photo by Dennis McCollough
Time will tell who the likely sire is to this foal (color will give us a better idea). As of now, I will say sire unknown. My first reaction was that no other horse could get close enough to Galaxy’s band to breed her (meaning the foal would be Galaxy’s). But Galaxy had his hands full last year, and I do believe that a determined bachelor could have zoomed in and bred her while Galaxy fought with another. But for now, I only hope that both mom and foal will be okay.
Thank you to Dennis McCollough for the use of his photos!
The 3rd known Pryor Foal born this year has been found! Dennis McCollough report seeing them on Sunday. Thank you Dennis for the use of your photos!
This foal and his mother have a very special place in my heart.
This young mare was born to Jackson and Galena in 2012. (Making her Lakota’s granddaughter as well!) During the first winter of her life, she was separated from her family band. She ended up in Cappuccino’s band before her first birthday. Blanca looked after her like a mother, and she grew into a beautiful quiet mare that has remained with sturdy and handsome Cappuccino since that time.
Blanca and Moenkopi, February 17, 2013
Moenkopi, 2-17-13
In 2014 she had her first foal. My guests and I were one of the first to see him. He was named Obsidian. Obsidian died just 6 days after he was born. You can read about his birth here: THE BIRTH and also read about the day he died here: Obsidian
Moenkopi and Obsidian, July 13, 2014
In 2016, Moenkopi foaled again. This time she had a filly named Quivira. She was born in September that year, and by the end of January 2017, she had disappeared. It is not known what happened.
This past weekend Moenkopi was found with her 3rd foal. It looks to be a colt. His name is going to be Shoshone.
Moenkopi is the 2012 daughter of Jackson and Galena. Cappuccino is the 2002 son of Rosarita and Starbuck.
Moenkopi and Cappuccino’s new colt. Photo by Dennis McCollughMoenkopi and her new colt. She is such a good mother! Photo by Dennis McCollughMoenkopi and Cappuccino’s new colt. Photo by Dennis McCollugh.
I hope that this little colt survives and thrives on the mountain. I look forward to watching him grow up into a strong stallion.
The second known foal was born this week in the Dryhead part of the range. Born to the “Greeters” of the BigHorn Canyon.
Nova and her new foal. Photo taken by Jerry Anderson (BHCRA Ranger)Nova and her new foal. Photo taken by BHCRA Ranger, Jerry Anderson
As I started to write this post, it reminded me of how long I had been following this group. Although in recent years, the elusive Kitalpha joined them bringing with her Nova, her daughter from Bristol ( this move was very surprising to me. She was a horse that would not often be seen, but yet she decided to join the most visible band in the Dryhead) I decided to look back at one of my posts from the spring of 2012. Here is the link to that post if you would like to learn more about this band. THE GREETERS
The Greeters, April 2012Hickok and Nova, June 2017Prima, Nova and Kitalpha, June 2015Kitalpha, Prima and Nova, June 2015
The second foal of 2018 was born to the mare Nova and Hickok. Nova is the 2013 daughter of Kitalpha and Bristol. Hickok is the 2007 son of Belle Starr and Starbuck.
Nova and her new foal. Photo taken by BHCRA Ranger, Todd Johnson.Nova’s new foal. Photo taken by BHCRA Ranger, Todd Johnson
It has been reported that the foal is a colt and has been named Sundance. You can read more about this foal by clicking on this link. BHCRA Facebook
Thank you Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area for the use of you photos!
Penny (Pele), daughter of Fools Gold and Coronando. June 2015
This will be the 6th year that I have made this post. This is a “fun” only post where any of you can suggest names for the 2018 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 whenever a foal is born, I come to this post to look at all of the suggestions. And if you can, please include the meaning for the name, it would be very helpful to know that.
In 2000, the BLM started using a letter for each year of foals, starting with A. This year is the S 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. Or you can go to the Center’s latest post and read more about it as well. Click on Center 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!
If you haven’t already read my post about “who will foal in 2018”, click on FOALS 2018. That way you can get an idea on who may foal. Thank you!
Morgana and her new foal. Photo by Bill Picket, NPS, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
The first Pryor Foal of 2018 was born to Morgana and (most likely) Johnston. Morgana is the 2012 daughter of Icara and Merlin. Johnston is the 2009 son of Cascade and Seattle.
Morgana was expected to foal this year (according to the PZP program), so this was not an unexpected birth. It is a bit early, but with her living in the Dryhead, she should hopefully do okay.
No word on name or if it is a colt or a filly. My friends Sarah and Abbie have suggested the name Surprise. I think that is would be perfect. It was the first word that I thought of when I saw this post on the BHCNR facebook page!! Click on Bighorn to see that post.
Thank you to Bill Picket, NPS for allowing me to use his photo!
In all the years I have been going to the Pryors, I have grown to believe that the mountain gives you gifts according to what your energy or attitude is while you are walking on the horses’ ground. You just need to be aware of what and when they happen and be thankful for the gift. This morning was one of those times, and I will hold it in my heart.
