Rowdy Bachelor Stallions ( East Side)

It is gale force winds out...the bachelor stallions are frisky. It is a joy to watch!

They are in a constant state of motion...play fighting.

There is Sir Duke (grey) having fum with Skerik (black). Skerik came from Silverado's band. I never could figure out if he was the 2009 colt in that band or a satellite stallion. I am leaning towards the 3 yr old colt by the way he acts.

Boy, these greys are hard to ID! My best guss is Sir Duke. I make an educated guess by where he is and who he is with.

Sir Duke was an orphan when I first met him in the spring of 2010. He was on the road running the east fence line. I wonder if his band crossed over to the east side?

L to R Hank (dun), Renegade (grulla), Skerik and Sir Duke.

The sorrel is Clyde the other black is Harlan.

Hank is such a beautiful horse, I was disappointed I did not get more flattering shots of him...just the way it goes. I like him for his multi colored mane against his dun background....really stunning.

The bachelors continue to play down by the water hole. Wow, are they ever frisky! It is really something to see. Their energy makes Sand Wash Basin light up!

Clyde was also an orphan colt in 2010. This was soon after the 2008 round up which really mixed up their complex social order. I think we can do better. Maybe by knowing who the horses are and how they fit into the herd will help them. I am hoping so!

Handsome Hank

The bay on the right is Sundown. He is a submissive, older stallion.

Running from the waterhole.

Clyde is relentless...he goes around and around with the big black.

....and up

I think the roan is Half Moon, but once again, can't confirm. There are other roans that look similar. This is the one I saw with the blacks and Renegade the other day.

The wild horses are rapidly losing their winter coats. It weas almost 70 degrees on this early spring day.

One word for this amazing encounter...FUN!

East Side Bachelor Stallions

Bachelor Stallions (Ex Band Stallions)

I see another group of stallions...this time there is no "babysitting" stallion. These are mature studs who have had mares (at least 4 of them) in the last couple of years. They are sluggish and seem to be waking up from a deep winter's sleep.

Look how different Renegade looks with his winter woolies! He sheds out to a beautiful grullo coloring with primitive striping. This was the best look at him I had ever got in all my times going out to the range. He is gorgeous! I am pretty sure the black is Cobalt .I really can't confirm. If it is I am wondering who is only mare ended up with? (Mahogany).

side note...After further review I am not sure the black is Cobalt...maybe Skerik.

The blacks look fantastic...wow, what an easy winter it has been! So different then the extreme one of 2011.

Tag almost looks like a draft horse here. He is an easy keeper.

Look at that hoof! Just perfect....The roan is either Sancho or Half Moon. He would be the youngest in this group.

Good ole Harlan.

Skerik from Silverado's band. 

This was a fun encounter. I had never seen this combination of stallions before. Interesting to see some of the more mature studs banding up and getting along so well. Awesome.

Silverado's Band

It is always nice to bump into Silverado and his wily bunch. He is the little sturdy grey band stallion.

Silverado travels with the other grey stallion, Aragon. Aragon is the satellite stallion. Aragon is very attached to this band. You will always see them together, but he usually is a little ways apart, but not always, here he interacts with Silverado.

This is the newest member of the band, the little filly, Jolly. It looks like she might grey out.

This is Jolly's yearling sister, Bird, who is turning into a bay like her mom, Celeste. Celeste is the only mare in Silverado's band.

The mare, Celeste, and Jolly. Everyone looks healthy and sound here!

Celeste is a good mustang mare and looks after little Jolly. She teaches her the ways of a wild horse and shows her around the range. Jolly is never far from her loyal mom.

The majestic stallion, Aragon. He is well versed in his role as satellite stallion. Last year he was a bachelor stallion who we named Zeus. He is one of the many who has gone missing. He was a solid chestnut. Know one would know if he died or escaped out of the HMA.

Silverado. The only horse I did not mention was the black. You can see his tail here. I am pretty sure he is Celeste's 2 year old colt, but he sure seems big.....We call him Skerik.