Pryor Mountain Wild Horses – Wild in the Pryors

A Tribute To The Horses That Have Passed in 2020

January 15, 2021January 25, 2021wildinthepryors

As I have done for the last several years, here is the annual tribute of the horses that have died in 2020. While the list is not as long as it has been for the last several years, it is not any less painful to read the names. Rest in peace. Thank you to Laura and Brittny for the use of their photos.

Blizzard, beautiful son of Waif and Durango, born in 2001. I remember one of my first trips up the Dryhead in 2009. He came running across the open land with the wind blowing in his gorgeous mane. He was a sight to behold! I’m sure his spirit is still there running with the wind.

2. Broken Bow, daughter of 198505 and Froggie. She was born in 1993. The mother of Jackson, it was ironic that she passed in the same year as her son. Broken Bows, quiet and strong presence has been on the mountain for so long. She was always a strong mare, most times being the lead mare in her band. She really preferred to not be around people, but did allow me to get some photos of her when she let her guard down. She will be greatly missed.

Broke Bow (far right) with her stallion Santa Fe and her daughter Demure and granddaughter Kindra. (2010)

3. Jackson, son of Broken Bow and Two Boots, born in 1998. What do I say about Jackson? He was one of the most amazing stallions I ever had the privilege to meet. I felt he was everything a band stallion need to be. Kind, protective and loving. Even when he lost his band, he continued to nuture those that needed him. The mountain will not be the same without him.

4. Oak, son of Fresia and Hidalgo, born in 2014. His life ended much to soon. He was struck and killed by an automobile. Rest in peace.

5. Tecumseh, son of Warbonnet and Flash, born in 1998. If I could describe Tecumseh in one word, it would be Determination. He was perhaps the most determined stallion I ever saw. When he lost his band to Gringo in 2012, he refused to give up. I witnessed many brutal fights between the two of them, even one where I was sure Gringo had chased Tecumseh off a cliff. But still, Tecumseh never gave up and eventually he and Gringo made peace. He and Galadrial had a beautiful daughter (Oceana), who is still on the mountain.

6. Waif, daughter of , daughter of Twiggy and Cortez, born in 2005. Waif was usually a dryhead horse, but I will never forget the time Corona brought them all up on top of the mountain. That was the summer of 2013, when their son Norte was just a colt. Topper was with them at the time (which I was sure was the reason they went up there. She was a very strong mare and most likely would not take no for an answer!) While I did not see her often, I was fortunate to see them on April day in 2013 with the their new foal Norte. She lives on with many that carry her bloodline.

Rest in Peace, Run Like The Wind, and know that your spirit will continue to be on the mountain.

Sandy

2020 Pryor Foal # 15

September 16, 2020wildinthepryors

Pryor Foal # 15 was born to Kitalpha and Hickok. Kitalpha is the 2010 daughter of Buffalo Girl and Durango. Hickok is the 2007 son of Bell Starr and Starbuck. The foal is a filly and has been named Ursala.

Thank you Brittny for the use of your beautiful photos!

2020 Name Game, The “U” Year

March 26, 2020wildinthepryors

With the “stay at home” order in many parts of the world right now, due to the Coronavirus, we all have a lot of extra time on our hands. This year we will need that extra time, because the letter U is a tough one, that will need a lot of research and thought! I look forward to your ideas. Have fun!

This will be the 8th year that I have made this post. This is a “fun” only post where any of you can suggest names for the 2019 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 U 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 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!

Please stay healthy and safe!

Sandy

2020 Pryor Foal # 1

March 25, 2020wildinthepryors

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The first known Pryor Foal was born to Nova and Hickok. Nova is the 2013 daughter of Kitalpha and Bristol. Hickok is the 2007 son of Belle Starr and Starbuck. The foal is a colt and has been named Uinta.

Thank you Diane Granger for the use of her photos.

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90498168_2987629567983325_1666817141891923968_o

2019 Name Game, The “T” Year

February 21, 2019wildinthepryors

A young Mandan. Born in 2012, this photo was taken in early 2013.

This will be the 7th year that I have made this post. This is a “fun” only post where any of you can suggest names for the 2019 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.

Petra, daughter of Galena and Doc. June 2015

In 2000, the BLM started using a letter for each year of foals, starting with A. This year is the T 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’ll be posting my annual “Who Will Have Foals This Year” post soon. But in the mean time, let’s have some fun coming up with names!

Sandy

A Tribute To The Horses That Have passed in 2018

December 26, 2018January 24, 2021wildinthepryors

The year of 2018 is very quickly coming to a close, and like the past several years, I am doing this post to honor the horses that have died in 2018. The list is shorter then it was last year, but no less painful. Even though several of those that passed in 2018 were very young, their memory will not be forgotten.

We didn’t get the chance to watch them grow and develop a strong presence on the mountain, but the lucky few that saw them and recorded their existence can remind us all of who they were. Thank you to those that allowed me to use their photos.

Below are the horses that have died (or are missing) in 2018.

1. Blue Moon (Flint). 2001 son of Shaman and Sitka. While Blue Moon has not been gone the official length of time to be declared deceased, all of that witnessed his deteriorated condition this past summer, can recognize that he most likely is gone. He not only lost his band last winter/spring, but he somehow got injured. He seemed to have a back/spinal injury that appeared to be very painful. Not only the physical injury, but it was also very clear that his spirit to live had greatly compromised. He was one of those stallions that just couldn’t settle into bachelorhood again. His heart was broken at the loss of his band.

I have many, many fond memories of Blue Moon. He and his band were frequent early morning/late evening visitors to my campsite. They seemed to recognize my truck, Abbie and myself. Blue Moon was the type of horse that if he could, he would have pulled up a chair and asked for a cup of coffee, and talked to us for hours about life. And his life was full of stories, he struggled as a young bachelor to devote full attention to his band. That lead for some painful memories for him, but in the more recent years, he became a devoted caring band stallion that gave his every minute to the care of his band.

He will be deeply missed.

2. Morning Star. 1996 son of Washakie and Plenty Coups. Morning Star lost his band one final time in the fall of 2017. (After losing them and winning them back in the spring of 2017). I don’t believe he was seen after that. He was looking quite thin in the summer of 2017, so without his band and his strength, he was not able to make it. Morning Star was a strong band stallion, who kept his band together. His death lead to the separation of his band, and as current as last week, it has been reported that they are still in constant turmoil. Morning Star was a strong presence on the mountain and will be greatly missed.

kem-and-s-watch — Kemmerer (2010 Sacajawea X Blizzard), and Sacajewea, spring 2012.

3. Sacajawea. 1996 daughter of Three Bars and Calamity. Sacajeawea has not been seen since June 2018. She has always been a strong independent mare, often setting out on her own and changing bands. She was by far one of the oldest and strongest bloodlines that the Pryors had. Her beautiful primative markings and gorgous Grulla color always took my breath away.

kem-s-and-s-2 — Kemmerer, Sacajewa and Seattle. Spring 2012.

4. Sparrow. 2018 son of Pele (Penny) and Irial. Born the week of May 14, missing May 20, 2018. No photo available.

34471813_2124421164238779_1459149211068006400_n — Stargazer and Quartz. Photo by Dennis McCollough

5. Stargazer. 2018 son of Quartz, father unknown. Born week of June 3. Died June 6.

34319876_2124419660905596_7974047422898765824_n — Stargazer. Photo by Dennis McCollough

33063588_1815010758578551_6931497893375246336_o — Shamrock. Photo by Dennis McCollugh

6. Shamrock. 2018 son of Pegasus, father unknown. Born the week of May 20. Discovered missing by Abbie and Sandy, June 21, 2018.

Abbie and I were both so excited to look for Shamrock and so shocked and disappointed when we discovered her missing. Shamrock was a beautiful foal and seemed strong. But Pegasus (whom I discovered and named!) was with an unexperienced new band stallion (Missoula, whom I discovered and named!).

I am uncertain about what happened to the Sparrow and Stargazer, but I am quite certain that Shamrock was taken by a mountain lion. A few days after we discovered her missing, Abbie and I came across a large blood patch and drag marks with blood. While we can’t be certain, we concluded that it was most likely that of Shamrock.

33156269_1815010828578544_1041010668511166464_o — Shamrock and Pegasus.

7. Santiago. Son of Labrava and Irial. A beautiful strong colt, Santiago should have survived. Abbie, I and my last guests of the season discovered this little beauty early on the morning of our last day.

We can only speculate what happened to this beautiful foal, born to a large strong and stable band. There was and is a lot of young bachelors pushing for a band of their own. Abbie and I witnessed several very dangerous pursuits involving several bands at a time. There were also several people on the mountain at the time. Did Santiago get separated and injured from a bachelor confrontation? Did he get separated from people approaching too close ( like a foal from 2017?) There were conflicting reports of what happened. Only the mountain knows for sure, either way, this colts life ended way too soon. His death haunts me.

Rest in Peace wild ones. Your spirit still runs free on the mountain.

Sandy

2018 Pryor Foal # 11

September 7, 2018September 7, 2018wildinthepryors

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.

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.

2018 Pryor Foal # 10 Deceased.

July 13, 2018July 19, 2018wildinthepryors

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)

2018 Pryor Foal # 9

June 28, 2018wildinthepryors

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.

2018 Pryor Foal # 8/ deceased

June 5, 2018June 8, 2018wildinthepryors

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.

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.

34370761_2124421034238792_4776659719471235072_n — 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.

Sandy

34308054_2124056127608616_4590360659694190592_n — Photo by Dennis McCollough

Tag: Pryor Mountain Wild Horses

A Tribute To The Horses That Have Passed in 2020

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