Haze's band

I have not been going out as much this summer. The draught is severe and the conditions are brutal. I did manage to make it out last week on a hot and smokey (from near by wildfires) day. The first band we saw was Haze's. This is the band who's former band stallion (Greasewood) was euthanized by The BLM last winter. He has 15" of barbed wire wrapped around his leg and was suffering bad. Anyway the mares mourned for a bit and then were claimed by the handsome sorrel with one blue eye, Haze.

I think of the little foal we call Sagewood as Greasewood's legacy. Sagewood is an only foal like most of the foals out at SWB. Her or she was born to White Sage who is just a 3 year old filly (The HSUS did not PZP the 2009 fillies). Greasewood acquired her and her mom, Yarrow, sometime during winter of 2010.

This is Rooibos. he is dogging Haze. I have never seen him this far south. he was with the unsettled bunch last year (with Eleganza). He is feisty and was running around doing a good job of keeping Haze on his hooves.

That is Demi, the domestic. She was "dropped" off by someone fall of 2010 and has managed to earn the title of mustang. There are no other domestics in here that have survived since the 2008 round up. There was another mare, Monet, but she was jerked out by Sombrero Ranches last month.

The Hazer

Yarrow is the grandma to Sagewood, White Sage is her daughter. Something happened to Yarrow last spring (2011) and she has never been the same since. It started with a limp that gradually got worse which led to her feet growing strange. She still limps , but I witnessed her cantering and keeping up with her band. If this mare was chased by a helicopter she would most likely be put down for having a club foot. She needs to be bait trapped and have her hooves fixed (in my opinion). Why doesn't The H$U$ do anything?

Demi lost her foal this spring. No one knows what happened ...one day she was very pregnant, then she wasn't. Like many of the mature mare she looks after little Sagewood like she was her own. The 3 year old fillies are not the best moms.

Rooibos

Demi and White Sage. You can tell White Sage is Greasewood's daughter by her confirmation. A real easy keeper. Built Range tough.

It was good to finally see this band in person this summer.  I feel very blessed there are folks now on facebook who post their photos for all to see. I can not afford to keep going out as much as I have been and I am also discouraged because The BLM is talking of a helicopter round up next year without considering their social structure.

East Side Bachelor Stallions

Bachelor Stallions (feat Tripod)

Finally! I am back on The Range and happen upon this little bachelor stallion band. It is the wise old White Out with three beautiful colts, including Tripod, the lame perlino. I was really worried about him The last time I saw him his damaged hock was red and inflamed and he was alone. He looks much better today and I am glad to see he is with other stallions.

This is Tripod's third winter out here surviving the brutal elements with such a severe disability, he is testimony to the hardiness of a mustang, but it is tough to see.

I can't figure out who this little grey is. Kinda looks like River, but I think too young. I put him in an "unidentified folder" and will try to work it out. I knew the greys would be hard to ID....He is good friends with Tripod.

This sorrel was in Eleganza's mixed up band last summer as one of the doggers. He is really shy and does not like to look at the camera. We named him Rooibos.

A closer look at the grey...I am pretty sure it is a 2 yr old..maybe Aspen from Cortez's band?

Here is the elder babysitting stallion, White Out. He looks great after getting so run down last year for his one mare Josie, who ended up with Prancer. He has regained his strength and is looking after these youngsters.

Two underdogs come together and persevere!

We can tell the shy Rooibos by his split stripe.

Tripod is Corona's and Cheyenne's 3 yr old colt. He suffered this injury as a newborn. It looks bad, but a whole lot better then a couple of months ago. He limps, but gets around OK. People have offered to adopt him, but The BLM has chosen to leave him be. Maybe in the future we could think of ways to deal with situations like this? This is a permanent injury, his hock has been deformed for a long time now. One thing I know for sure....you can not chase this wild horse with a helicopter!

My personal opinion is that is abscessed and healed, but I am no vet, but I can see where it drained. How he survived the infection we will never know.

For now Tripod is safe and of good weight. This little colt is a true surviver....with a little help from his friends.

Sancho's Band

Meet Sancho. I hardly ever see this eleusive band so there are a lot of unsolved mysteries here...like I can not even confirm this is the band stallion, but another friend is pretty sure this is the breeding stallion. This band is strange that it seems to have a mare that is in charge...

.....this white mare, Eleganza, shown with her daughter, Gretchen.

There is one other mare in this band and that is Lady, the bay. She was with Vegas last year.

Lady has the most beautiful roan yearling colt we call Lucky. I really like his looks. I do not know who his sire is as he joined Vegas after he was born.

This band has two mares and three mature stallions! Here is Sancho and Lucky.

This light roan we call Tai. I have no idea how he fits in. He acts like a bachelor stallion, but blends in with the group.

We have quite a few roans in this herd....

Rooibos....another stallion who travels with this band.

I think of this as the "band led by the white mare". I also forgot there was another stallion with them on this day and that was the grey, Casper. Anyway it sure was great running into this mystery band. Another band with no foals..