Pryor Mountain Mustangs – Wild in the Pryors

2020 Foals # 12, 13 and 14

August 31, 2020wildinthepryors

Pryor Foal # 12 was born to Icara and Johnston. Birth date possibly August 11. Icara is the 2008 daughter of Waif and Corona, Johnston is the 2009 son of Cascade and Seattle.

The foal is a colt and has been named Utopia. Thank you Brittney for the use of your photos.

Pryor Foal # 13 was born to Nina and Oglala. Birth date possibly August 22. Nina is the 2013 daughter of Bakken (father unknown). Oglala is the 2014 son of Icara ( father possibly Hildago).

The foal is a filly and has been named Ula.

Thank you Brittny for the use of your beautiful photos!

Pryor Foal # 14 was born to Greta and Garcia. Birth date possibly August 26. Greta is the 2006 daughter of Belle Starr and Chino. Garcia is the 2006 son of Topper and Tony.

The foal is a filly and has been named Uma.

2020 Pryor Foals # 10 and # 11

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020wildinthepryors

Ultra Blue: DAwn photo 2 — Photo by Dawn Ness. Thank you Dawn

Pryor Foal # 10 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 Ultra Blue.

Utlra Blue: Dawn photo — Photo by Dawn Ness. Ultra Blue and LaBrava

Pryor foal # 11 was born to the mare Hailstorm. This is a long awaited foal. Several of us for years have been hoping for a Hailstorm foal, and finally at the age of 13 she has had her first known foal.

Hailstorm is the 2007 daughter of Aztec and Cloud. There are 3 possible sires of this foal: Killian, Miocene, Orlando and possibly Nickel. I will be listing the sire as unknown.

The foal is a colt and has been named Uno Caballo.

Uno 2

Uno Caballo and Hailstorm — Hailstorm and Uno Caballo. Thank you Dennis for the use of your stunning photos!

2021 Camping Tour Dates

May 26, 2020January 17, 2021wildinthepryors

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.

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.

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.

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.

2020 Pryor Foal # 2

April 13, 2020wildinthepryors

92564234_1124518011227635_3152818875041579008_n — Phantom and Unity

2020 Pryor Foal # 2 was born to Phantom and Johnston. Phantom is the 2015 daughter of Icara and Fools Crow. Johnston is the 2009 son of Cascade and Seattle.

The foal is a filly and has been named Unity.

93060853_1124485224564247_5697937737835872256_n — Johnston

Thank you Brittny for the use of your beautiful photos.

93418563_1124494554563314_714792367483256832_n — Phantom and Unity

92687483_1124495337896569_1826821737572990976_n — Unity

Jackson. The Passing of a Legend

January 30, 2020wildinthepryors

I woke up this morning with a message from Sarah and Abbie. Jackson had died. While this was not unexpected, it was still very shocking. I can’t imagine the mountain without Jackson.

Jackson and Moorcroft:wound — Moorcroft licks Jacksons wound, February 2013.

Jackson was born to the mare Broken Bow and stallion Two Boots in 1998. This beautiful coyote dun stallion was a giant force on the mountain. He claimed the largest bands up until he lost his status of a band stallion in May of 2014. While he claimed a mare from time to time for a short while, his days of being a prominent band stallion were over.

For some stallions, they give up the will to live after the loss of their band. But Jackson choose to embrace his next role: caretaker of those in need. He was often spotted with young bachelors teaching them the “ropes”. But perhaps his most important role was that of a caring bachelor stallion. It seemed if any horse on the mountain was alone or need a friend, Jackson was there. Either briefly or for a longer period of time, he stood by those in need. The most significant one was when he spent an entire summer watching over a wounded Mandan. I believe Mandan is a live today because of Jackson.

36292029_931799783666283_6045326521076285440_o — An injured Mandan appeared at our camp during dinner with a caring Jackson keeping watch over him.

Caring was not new to Jackson, when he was still a band stallion, I witnessed many touching moments of closeness with his family. This behavior never ended, as he continued to carry out that role as an older bachelor.

Jackson and Brumby. As Matt Dillion called them: The Brad and Angelina of the mountain. I wish they had been allowed to keep more of their offspring.

Jacksonband1 — Jackson’s Band, 2-17-13 Protecting his band from a snowstorm.

Perhaps one of the funnest moments I shared on the mountain with Jackson, was in July 2014. A few cattle from a nearby ranch, happened to wander on the range. While I am sure this wasn’t the first time he saw cattle, it was amusing to watch his reaction to them. The rancher removed them later that day.

In the winter of 2016-17, he somehow injured his left eye. It appeared that he had lost sight in that eye. Many of us worried he would not make it without vision in both eyes. But once again, he showed us how amazing and strong he was.

I could continue to tell many stories of this amazing stallion. But somehow the words are not coming very easily to me this morning.

83871491_3494368373966766_7795009645285736448_n — Jackson and Brumby with Hayden, 2007. Thank you Terry for your photo.

1559428_244938192352449_1313090805_o — Jackson and his son Maelstrom, February, 2013

To me, Jackson was the most caring and nurturing stallion on the mountain. There will be a giant empty space where this amazing stallion was. He left this earth on his own terms, wild and free. Rest easy Jackson. You changed my life, and I know you changed the life of may others. Thank you.

2019 Pryor Foal # 16

December 11, 2019wildinthepryors

The Sixteenth 2019 Pryor foal was born sometime around November 1 to Jasmine and Doc. Jasmine is the 2009 daughter of Aztec and Cloud. Doc is the 2003 son of Winnemucca and Little Foot.

The foal is a filly and the name that has been chosen is Talulah.

I found that there are three meaning to this name. The first one that came up was: An Online Australian Woman’s Boutique. Surprised by this, I googled it again. This time from Wikipedia:Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn^[1] (born 26 September 1985), known professionally as Talulah Riley, is an English actress. Still thinking that there had to be more, I googled it again and found this: The name Talulah means Leaping Water and is of Native American origin. Talulah is a name that’s been used by parents who are considering baby names for girls. Choctaw.

Okay, I think the last meaning is the one I will think of when I say this name, since the announcement of the name did not include what meaning it was intended for.

Welcome to the Pryors beautiful little filly! These photos were taken by Jack Sterling on December 3 (Thank you Jack for the use of your photos). As you can see, she seems to be doing quite well. Looking forward to seeing this little one!

A Tribute To The Horses That Have Passed in 2019

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019wildinthepryors

The 2019 year is coming to a close soon. For the past several years, I have been publishing this post to honor and remember the horses that died during the year, this year is no exception.

A part of me just wanted to let it slide by, this post is never an easy one to make, but in the end, I realized that I needed to continue this tradition and give these wonderful wild horses one last post of love. The mountain is a special and spiritual place, even though these horses are gone, their spirit continues to touch anyone who visits and takes the time to listen.

The horses below are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Baja. Baja was the 1996 son of Tonapah and Looking Glass. Baja was an incredably strong band stallion. He held on to his band until the fall of 2017. That year he was 21. The average life of a wild stallion on the mountain is 19, and for him to not only out live that, but to continue to hold unto his band until he was 21, was an amazing accomplishment. He was one of the most beautiful stallions on the mountain. He is truly missed. His legend lives on with his beautiful daughter Quahneah and her offspring.

2. Duke. Duke was the 1996 son of Flicka and Bigfoot. Duke was also a strong and consistent band stallion. He too lived to the age of 23, losing his band the winter of 2017-18. His legend lives on with 7 offspring left on the range.

3. Fiero. Fiero was the 2005 son of Sacajawea and Merlin. A beautiful stallion with an amazing bloodline, Fiero died too soon. Unfortunately, he has no known offspring on the range.

boys-of-the-dh-1 — Jemez with his bachelor buddies in 2012. From left to right: Jemez, Hidatsa, Hawk and Issaquah

4. Jemez. Jemez was the 2009 son of Strawberry and Blizzard. Life is tough for these Dryhead stallions. So few filly/mares for these amazing stallions, Jemez’s life was cut short due to an injury. He also has no known offspring on the range.

5. Lobo was the 2011 son of Sapo and Bolder. Lobo was an amazingly beautiful horse. Just coming into his own, he disappeared the winter of 2018-19. I have fond memories of him as a young colt, sparing with his 1/2 brother Killian. He has no known offspring on the range.

57569403_2317402998339322_980854050893332480_o — Tiny with Waif and Kemmerer

6. Tiny. Tiny was the 2019 foal of Waif and Kemmerer. He was first seen by Dennis McCollough in April 2019. He was never seen again. Thank you Dennis for the use of your photos.

57262832_2248862441895729_7354641769344008192_n — Waif and Tiny

7. Warbonnet. Warbonnet was the 1993 daughter of Tonapah and Geranimo. This beautiful mare was very close to Phoenix, you could often see the two of them grooming, napping or grazing together. Her heritage lives on with her daughter Heritage and her son Tecumseh.

Warbonnet with her daughter Kayenta, March 2012

Rest in Peace, Wild Horse Souls. Your spirit lives on, and you will always be remembered.

Sandy

2019 Pryor Foal # 15

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019wildinthepryors

Pryor foal # 15 was born to Maia and Hamlet. Maia is the 2012 daughter of Hera and Prince. Hamlet is the 2007 son of Delilah and Pierre. No name or gender has been announced.

Thank you Phyllis for the use of your beautiful photos!

70370234_2583184431761176_1470591373311737856_n — Hamlet and Maia surround their new foal

2019 Pryor Foal # 13

August 21, 2019April 24, 2020wildinthepryors

Jewel 2

2019 Pryor Foal # 13 was born to Jewel and Fools Crow.

Jewel is the 2009 daughter of Waif and Corona. Fools Crow is the 2005 son of Strawberry and Cortez. The foal is a colt. No name has been chosen yet. Thank you Brittny Budde for the use of your beautiful photos!