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.
Moenkopi with Cappucinno and a young Patterson, July 2015
Mares within the Pryor Wild Horse Herd, are given PZP (birth control) every year. Each year there is a group of mares that are in the “window” of possibly being able to foal, meaning that they have not been given PZP. And every year, there will be some surprises from some, despite being vaccinated, and even though the below horses have not been vaccinated, it is not a guarantee that they will foal. Some have never conceived.
Because some of the horses were vaccinated later than normal last spring/summer, it is possible that they may have already been pregnant, (before given their vaccination), but will not be “officially” listed here.
I will start the list with the possible horses in the Dryhead. There are only two mares that fall into that window this year, and one has already had her foal!
Jewel, 2009 daughter of Waif and Corona, currently in Fools Crow band.
2. Morgana, 2012 daughter of Icara and Merlin. She was discovered by Bill Picket, NPS with a new foal last week. The foal is supposedly a colt and it has been named Sorcerer.
Morgana and her new foal. Photo by Bill Picket, NPS.
Mountain Top Horses
Jasmine, 2009 daughter of Aztec and Cloud. Jamine gave birth to a healthy colt named Ryden in October of 2017. If she conceived right away, she may have a foal in September of 2018. Jasmine is currently in Doc’s band.
JasmineJasmine and Ryden, October 2017. Photo by Pryor Wild
2. Juniper, 2009 daughter of Sapo and Bolder. Another late foal (Ruby) was born to Junipter the first part of November, 2017. Again if she did conceive right away, she won’t have her foal until October, 2018. I’m hoping she skips this year and gets back on track with a foal earlier in the season in 2019. Juniper is currently in Horizon’s band.
Juniper and Ruby, November 2017. Photo by Jack SterlingJuniper, summer of 2016
3. Kohl, 2010 daughter of Quelle Colour and Lakota. Kohl is currently in Garay’s band.
Kohl, 2016Kohl, 2014
4. Ketchikan, 2010 daughter of Gold Rush and Two Boots, currently in Jasper’s band.
Ketchikan, July 2017
5. Limerick, 2011 daughter of Ireland and Prince. She is currently in Galaxy’s band.
Limerick, summer of 2016
5. Labrava, 2011 daughter of Blue Souix and Coronado. She is currently in Irial’s band.
Labrava with her look alike daughter Pilar, June 2016.
6. Lariat, 2011 daughter of Madonna and Duke. Lariat is currently in Jasper’s band.
Lariat with most of her band. From left to right: Oklahoma ( Lariat’s 2014 colt), Jasper, Okiotak and Lariat
7. Maia, 2012 daughter of Hera and Prince. Maia is currently with Hamlet.
Hamlet, Maia and Sapo, July 2017
8. Manuelita, 2012 daughter of Dove and Coronado. Manuelita is currently in Irials band.
Manuelita (middle) with Dove on the left.
9. Moenkopi, 2012 daughter of Galena and Jackson. She is currently in Cappuccino’s band. I hope this is the year that she gives birth to a foal that lives.
Moenkopi nuzzling a young Patterson. June 2015.
I am looking forward to seeing some new foals this summer. I am sure there will be some surprises!
Doc rushing in to prevent Aztec and Jasmine leaving for Cappuccino’s band.One of the first things I noticed this year when I arrived on the range, was how very dry it was up here. I could hear the grass “crunch” under my feet as I walked. It made me afraid that this could be a very high fire danger season. As I looked at the forecast for the next 10 days, there seemed to be no rain in sight, but every afternoon, it seemed as though that might change. Yesterday it did, and it rained for 3 hours, the horses running past us, seeking shelter from the storm. Knowing by the horses reaction, I knew that this would be a severe storm, and the horses were right, with the rain came a sufficient amount of thunder and lightning.
Whenever a storm with lightning strikes occur on the mountain, I gather my guests and we climb in the truck. I feel that is the safest place to be during a storm, especially with lightning striking around us. I then pull away from any near by trees. And that is where we sat for 3 hours yesterday, waiting out the storm and being thankful for the much-needed rain to the range. As I type this , the rain is again pouring down. So thankful for this moisture. Today is different, however, the horses are still visible, so I will take that as a sign that this storm will not be as bad as yesterday’s.
At about hour 2 1/2 of this storm, the sky seemed to be clearing, and I started to work my way back up the very muddy road to our campsite. It was then that we all witnessed a lightning strike hit a tree up near the Skyline Meadow, also known as Bigfoot’s Meadow. This area was about 1/2 mile from us. The lightning strike caused the tree to turn instantly bright red and as fast as the red dimmed, the smoke began.
My guests ( Barb and Dick) my assistant (Abbie) and myself decided we should let as many people know about this fire so we could as to get a quick response from someone..anyone. I immediately got on my phone and was relieved that I had enough service to make a call. The first call was to Jeff, the BLM law enforcement agent. After leaving a voice mail, I then dialed 911. And at the last-minute, I thought I should let Jim Sparks know, and left a voicemail for him as well. It was a bit unnerving to think what could occur if the fire was big enough and the wind strong enough. I tried to push that from my mind and focus on where we had seen this strike.
The rain was still coming down hard, and that in itself was comforting, knowing that it was hopefully putting the fire out. But by now we could not see the area of the strike, the fog had settled in, it was difficult to tell if it was smoke or fog. We all continued to watch the area of the strike as we waited for a response from our calls.
It was not long, probably just a few minutes ( but it seemed much longer) that I heard from Jeff. I spoke briefly with him, and he confirmed that the 911 dispatcher had already reached him. He indicated that they would send up a helicopter to try to spot the location, but they needed to wait for the fog to lift.
Once the fog lifted, much to our relief, we could not see any smoke. I called Jeff and let him know. (I was not looking forward to a helicopter, knowing how the horses would react, but we all agreed, a helicopter would be better than a range engulfed in flames). He said a ground crew of firefighters would be up to check on the fire. For those of you that have not been on the range, that would mean that it would take about 3 hours or more with a fire truck, to get to the top.
The Firefighters spent the night so they could continue to check on the strike.Once the firefighters reached the top, I directed then to the area of the strike. They were able to hike to the area and locate the tree. The lightening had traveled all the way down the tree and into the ground where there was a small area of smoldering matter. The firefighters worked on the area last night, then sat up camp so they could continue to work on it in the morning. This morning they were up working on the area for several hours. They informed us that a small smothering area can turn into a big fire in no time if the conditions are right, and told me that it was good that we had called it in. Abbie and I had just hiked that area a few days ago, so I know how thick and dense that area is with dead and downed trees. A fire that started here, would be eagerly fed with the food of this forest. We were grateful for their quick response.
I am writing this post so that others that travel up on the range can know that you can call 911 when on the range. After talking to my guests, I realized that many people to not think that there is reception on the range, but you can locate it in some areas. If you do call 911 you should know a few things. When on the top of the mountain, you are in Carbon County, also try to pin point the direction and area that you see a strike and smoke. So please call to report a fire. The horses depend on your fast response.
My guests and I would like to thank the BLM for their fast response and hard work. Thank you Jeff, LeRoy and the rest of the firefighting crew for your efforts. We very much appreciate it!
When we woke this morning, we were greeted by a glorious sunny sky and a very green range with lots of muddy puddles for silly horseplay!
Sandy
Knight and Nimbus drinking from a puddle. 7-3-16 Mescalero playing in the mud. 7-3-16 Pride and Mescalero, 7-3-16
Ireland and Galaxy’s new foal! Photo by: Colleen Kilbane Heart Four Bar Photography
Ireland and Galaxy have a new foal. Discovered yesterday. I had a feeling by the photos I had been seeing, and what I had witnessed last summer, that Ireland was very close. I had witnessed Galaxy breeding her about a week after she had little Pegasus last year.
Galaxy, June 29, 2015Ireland and Pegasus, June 29, 2015
Ireland is the 1997 daughter of Isabella and Raven. Galaxy is the 2006 son of Quelle Colour and Lakota.
This little one looks to be a filly. No word on a name yet. Pegasus love having a playmate!
Thank you Jack Sterling and Colleen Kilbane for allowing me to use your photos! I’ll be getting some of my own in just a few days!
Ireland and her new foal, June 11, 2016 Photo by Colleen Kilbane Heart Four Bar PhotographyIreland’s new foal. Photo by Jack SterlingPhoto by Colleen Kilbane Heart Four Bar Photography
I apologize for not getting a post out sooner. But, I have to admit, I was having a difficult time looking at my photos after the removal. After spending the entire summer with these horses and then being there for the removal of the mountain top horses, I had a lot of emotions that weren’t ready to surface.
All of the horses removed, I had seen as little foals, watched some of them leave their family bands and become bachelors, and watched others get to know their home on the mountain. I knew I had hundreds of photos of the horses that were removed, and I just was not ready to see them.
It was this week, that I realized I was ready, and actually looking forward to reviewing the thousands of photos from the summer. I have been very blessed to have been able to spend so much time on the mountain with these horses.
This first post is only of my very first trip up there. After several months away from the horses, I find that my first trip, I take a lot of photos, then with each following trip, I begin to take less shots, and put down my camera to watch the horses and my guests through my own eyes.
June sunset.
June is one of my favorite months on the mountain top. The mountain is just awaking after a long winter, and the horses are much more active with each other. The mountain top brings them all in closer proximity to each other then what they are in the winter months, so there is more action between the stallions on a regular basis. If you don’t mind the cool nights and want a lot of action shots, this is the month for you.
I’m not sure how much longer I will be be doing guided tours, so I cherish each moment I had there with my guests and the horses. I will be doing two guided camping trips in June this year. They are starting to book, so if you are interested, contact me soon. Go to 2016 Camping, to find out more information, with available dates for June, July and August.
So, below are some of the photos I took during this first trip.
Bolder’s band visited our camp on a regular basis, with Killian and Lobo denting my truck during a sparing match.Bachelor Boys near our campNahwa and McKeanhie
BachelorsHamletsA very pregnant Jacinta
Petite ColourKohl and Petite ColourGarayMerriweatherOne of the many views from the mountain topTecumseh and bandGrijala and bandLittle Miss NobleCappucinno’s run to the Mystic PondThe Cappucinno’sCappucinno’sCustersNye, Firestorm, Brumby and OkomiBrumbyGalena and PetraGalena and PetraNye
IrialOceanaGalena and PetraNyeAuroraBaja’sBaja’sOjaiWashakieOjai
Baja’sOdakota
Noble and NaolinPococeno and GalaxyLimerickPennyManelita with Dove in the backgroundNaolin and OdakataNaolin and OdakotaBaja and LondonLondonNaolin and NickelNickel and NaolinPetra
Doc and LondonLondon and DocPetra and GalenaCloudCloudBoys with Mandan and Moorcroft in frontMandan and MoorecroftGalaxyIrial
Pride and Feldspar
JasperKetchikan and OkiotakMedicine Bow, Pride and Rosarita
MescaleroMescalero
HeraKreguer PondGrijala and NobleChinoHamlet and NiyahaHamletNiyaha and HamletNiyaha and AudobonGabriele and PattersonCappuccino’sNaaraPatterson and BlancaView from CampsiteGringo and Tecumseh bandsBolderLobo
I’ll be publishing “Part Two of Summer 2015” soon!
Below are the available Tour Dates for 2016. For questions and reservations: Contact Sandy At: Phone: 406-360-8959. Email: wildinthepryors@aol.com
Pryor Horses running in Lupine, July 2014
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.
Wild In The Pryors is also licensed to give tours within the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Stallion Action, July, 2013
Sandy has been coming to the Pryors Range for several years, spending weeks at a time camping with the horses.
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.
The stories she shares about the horses and the range, make this trip more than just a chance to view them, she makes this a trip more about knowing the horses, giving you a brief glance into the life of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horses.
All tours may include light to moderate hiking.
Guests taking in the 360 degree view and the wild horses.
You will be camping at 8,500 feet, under the Big Montana Sky, with wild horses.
4 Day Camping Trips: $ 1998.00
These trips will be 4 days/3 nights on the mountain top, and also included is a two night stay at Monster Lake Ranch in Cody, Wy. (night before and night after). Also included is: transportation up and down the mountain, all food, snacks, tents, and expert personal guiding. (last night dinner is on your own once we return to Cody). Pick up at the Cody Airport can be arrange with for a small fee.
All payments are considered non-refundable. Refunds may be made when cancellations can be filled. Here is a link to travel insurance purchase. This insurance is not through Wild In The Pryors. Please explore this or another travel insurance company for your trip. TRIP INSURANCE
Camping trips will be limited to 4-5 guests. Sandy will have an assistant with her who will do the camp cooking 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
Bachelor Stallions playing, July, 2014
June
This trip may be a bit colder than the others, but to be some of the first people to see the horses reach the mountain top for the summer, makes it all worth it.
1. June 21-24. 4 Day/3 Night closed
2. June 26-29. 4 Day/3 Night closed
July:
This month is the most popular and also the prime wildflower season.
1. July 1-July 4. 4 Day/3 Night closed
2. July 6-9. 4 Day/3 Night 1 opening
3. July 11-14. 4 Day/3 Night closed
Maybe a chance to catch a rainbow. View of the Bighorn Canyon from the mountain top.
All trips leave from Cody, Wyoming (unless other arrangements are made). Airports nearby: Billings, Montana. Cody, Wyoming. Arrangements can be made for pick-up at the Cody Airport.
A 50% down payment is required upon booking with the remainder due one month prior to your trip.
All payments are considered non-refundable. Refunds may be made when cancellations can be filled.
Anyone interested in a trip will be asked to complete a Pre-Screening Health Questionnaire, and those who book a trip will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Responsiblity and Assumption of Risk document, as per Montana State Law.
Cloud, June 2014
Be sure if you book a trip with someone, that they have the proper permits in place. This is required by law for anyone giving tours on Public Lands. Please click on PERMITS to read my blog post about this.
Sandy
Horses near our campsite. Summer 2014
Reviews: Go to my past camping date posts to read more reviews. Click on the year to go there. 2013,2014
Feldspar and Ohanzee, August, 2014
The absolute best adventure I have ever had in my life. We loved every minute of it and I will have the memories of the beauty in my head forever! Thank you Sandy, Wild In The Pryors is the Best of its kind, hands down!
Laura O., Chicago, Ill.
2014 foals, July 2014
If you find yourself in Montana near the Pryor Mountains and you want to see these horses, go with Sandy Palen. I cannot say enough good things about her. She knows the range like the back of her hand and she is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to this herd.
Because she spends so much time on the range, she knows all of the approximately 170 horses by name and can recognize them by sight. From what I understand, she has been visiting the Pryors since 2009 but to me it feels like she has known these horses her whole life.
She understands the dynamics and connections between these horses so well. She doesn’t mind repeating for the millionth time which horses you are looking at or explaining how they are related. She knows how to approach the horses and will make sure you are at a safe distance, respecting the horses’ need for space. And even when all the horses seem to have vanished into thin air, she knows where they like to hide and is really good at spotting them.
Amelie L., New York, NY.
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
Pride and Feldspar, May 31, 2015. Photo by Jack SterlingFeldspar and Pride, June 6, 2015
The 7th in reported order born this year is Pride. Pride was born on May the 20th to the mare Feldspar and Cloud, and appears to be a colt.
Feldspar is the 2005 daughter of Rosarita and Starman. Cloud is the 1995 son of Raven and Phoenix. Feldspar is currently in Mescalero’s band.
Thank you Jack Sterling for sharing your photo with us, we all really appreciate your generosity in sharing your photos! Jack has also given me some updated photos of the other foals born this year. Click on those posts to see them! Also thank you to 45 North Photography for the use of their photo!
I’ll be up there in 3 weeks for the summer to give you all updated photos and in person reports.
Sandy
Cloud, October, 2011Feldspar, July, 2011Starman and Rosarita, October, 2010Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
The fourth known Pryor foal born this year was discovered by Ginger of TCF. This little filly was born to Fools Gold. The sire could be Irial or Coronado, I’m leaning towards it being Coronado. Coronado did have his family back in mid-June and kept them through mid-July of last year, when Irial claimed them again. Currently they are in Irial’s band.
Fools Gold is the 2005 daughter of Amethyst and Shaman. Coronado is the 1996 son of Isabella and Raven. Irial is the 2008 so of Ireland and Prince.
The name of this new little one is, Pele.
Thank you Jack Sterling and 45 Degrees North for providing the photos for us to see.
Pele. Photo by Jack SterlingPele, June 6, 2015. Photo by 45 Degrees NorthFools Gold and Pele. Photo by Jack SterlingFools Gold and Kiva, August 1, 2012CoronadoIrial and London, 2012Parry, Photo by Kristen Collett
The fifth known Pryor Foal born has been born to Fresia and most likely Hidalgo. Also discovered by TCF, this little colt has been named Parry.
Fresia is the 2005 daughter of Buffalo Girl and Durango. Hidalgo is the 2007 son of Buffalo Girl and Durango. Umm..looks like there has been some inbreeding with this one. Hope he remains healthy, or perhaps it is not Hidalgos, which would be even better.
Fresia and Parry. Photo by Kristen CollettHidalgo, July 30, 2012
Looking forward to watching these little ones grow. Thank you to Jack Sterling for providing the photos!!
Sandy
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
I am sorry for the delay in reporting this to you. I was informed of this a couple days ago, and to be honest, I felt like I was hit in the stomach, and just needed a few days to catch my breath.
I was expecting this, I wasn’t sure when, and I had secretly hoped it wouldn’t happen.
Halcyon and Olivia, July 2014.
Below is the letter with the information about the proposal and where to send your comments. I have already mailed mine. It must be received by April 24, so I encourage you write and send it off in the next few days to assure delivery by the deadline.
Odessey
Sandy
Logo designed by Amber Bushnell. Wild in the Pryors and this logo is copyrighted.
