On the edge of the group is little Destinty and the pinto stallion, Tag. He has claimed her and spent most of his time making sure she stayed by him. Destiny is the yearling filly from Viggo's band. For some reason she came out of winter apart from her family.
This is Barcus. I kept thinking it was Bear, our branded stallion, but I can confirm it is Barcus and he is just barely hanging on to those mares. He has been run down and beat up.
That's Tag, I guess he had a large band at one time, but since the 2008 round up he has been "tagging" other bands. Last summer he finally settled with Chief and Brave's mob as a satellite stallion. This spring he is all buff and I would not be surprised to see him claim these mares Barcus has for now.
Beau is another player in this large group of wild horses. At one time he had the bay mare, Lady, and her foal last summer...you can see her butt in this photo. He also had a sorrel of Cody's. Back then he did not have a mark on him, now a days he always looks beat up. I thought he was going to die last summer....he got shredded...I think by the roan, Cody. He is a gallant stallion and a true mustang for he always heals and comes back. I'm telling you, these guys are tough!
This beautiful black, Harlan, was staying out of the action and mostly just looking on from a distance. I have not seen this stallion much. I am awed at his mane and wild presence.
Think he has been on the range awhile? This is Dalor probably one of the oldest mustangs out there. He's probavly been through more then one round up. He likes to stay near this unsettled group. The mares accept him and let him interact. Sometimes I wonder if he is "band stallion". You just can't tell in this group. He will still challenge.
Now, this is who I think is really in charge. The white lead mare, Eleganza, and her dark grey sidekick who never leaves her side. She acts so much like a stallion you wouldn't believe. The last time I saw these guys I ID'd her as a stallion, but I am 99% sure I am wrong. She was Solaris's lead mare last summer. When I saw them a month ago they had no band stallion, she was in charge.
The two on the left are the two year olds amongst the 4 mares. I know the one on the left is a filly and pretty sure the dark grey (needs a name) is a filly as well. The white one (Cachina) was with Vegas last summer. Her mom (Casino) is still with her along with her younger brother, Jackpot. The little guy is Monti, he has strayed a bit from his mom.
Lady's distinctive roan colt, Lucky. A real momma's boy this one...Lady has been seen with Beau and Cody before this.
There's Tag with Destiny. I don't know if this really counts as being a "band stallion". Destiny seems like she would like to be with the mares and youngsters near by, but the white mare will not tolerate her! She makes that very clear! Eleganza is the type of mare that give mares a bad rap. You would not want ther as a riding horse! She must be kept out here where she thrives.
Who me? Eleganza, born to be free. The mother/daughter bonds out here are so strong. These two are glued together. Earlier I had ID'd her as "Apollo"...a stallion, but was wrong. It would be impossible for any one person to figure this all out. Luckily we are gaining more fans who can keep track of the indidvidual horses.
I love this filly! The HSUS told me she is an apricot dun...lined backed. She is a beaut! We call her Blondie. She is the only mustang I know of out on the range that has this coloring.
Dalor and the young guy, Lucky. I have a feeling they are related. I think of him as "Grandpa".
That's Blondie's new brother, Monti. He was an early foal. Here you can see the different generations. Once in awhile you will see an elder mixed in a band, but I don't think there are that many to go around. This herd has been manipulated by man. They have been rounded up every 3-4 years. We have no 3 yr olds (all weanlings removed in 2008), lots of 2 yr olds (60 born post round up). Anyway I'm glad Dalor got to stay.
This was Vegas's family band last year, but things change out here. For now they are with Barcus. Left to Right...Cachina, Jackpot, Casino, Lucky, and Lady. The other two mares...Eleganza and Honey (Blondie and Monti's dam...not shown) came from Solaris's band. These are the unsettled bands of Sand Wash Basin. Stay Tuned. N
