Tonka's Band

We were driving along and we saw a great herd of mustangs streaking across the high desert. Eventually they settled down and we were able to approach them. Among this group was Tonka's band. At first they were inter mingled with Viggo's band, which is not unusual. The two bands are often seen together.

The beautiful grey band stallion, Tonka. That's Rudi looking at the camera. When I first met her in 2009 she was with Cowboy, but has been with Tonka since 2010....she was his first mare post round up (2008). Tonka and Rudi are very bonded.

Rudi, to my knowledge, has not foaled until this year (post round up). She had a colt this April we call Rocket.

This is big boy Zorro...he is only a yearling. He was born into Viggo's band last spring (2010) to ShowGirl, but Tonka claimed the mare with her newborn soon after this guy was born. The former HSUS gal told me she called the mare ShowGirl  "because she gets around the range". Maybe she has settled now with Tonka. I believe the round up of 2008 really messed up their social structure. Now that we know the individual mustangs and their family bands there is no need to break up families so bad.

When ShowGirl and Zorro joined Tonka last spring, Charm stayed back with Viggo's band. She rejoined her mom and Tonka's band early this summer. She has a thing for humans...it is not uncommon for her to approach them. I wonder if the HSUS imprinted her (by mistake) as a foal. I know this band was or is a research group for the HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States) PZP study, which has been going on for four years. They spend hours and hours with the mustangs in the summer time.

See? Here she comes with The Rocket in tow. Little Rocket is Rudi's 2011 rose grey colt. Maybe they are telling us there is no need to chase them with a helicopter? They deserve more respect. Such nice horses...Look at their perfect hooves.

This is about the closest they get before I put my camera down and let them pass peacefully. I made a little noise....which sent them scattering. If, for some reason, we have to remove and adopt out a few mustangs, these would be so easy to bait trap. I hope the next round up is done in a different, more humane way.