Did I post this already? Thank you all for your patience while I’ve been busily engaged elsewhere. I should be back to fairly regular Internet service now … and back to regular postings of pictures and tales about our Spring Creek Basin beauties!
Aurora, left, Corona, center, and Gaia alert and/or snoozing in the snowy sunshine a coupla-few weeks ago. ‘Rora looks black as jet, but I love Gaia’s rich red against the snow, and even Corona seems less “light” against that pure whiteness.
This was taken during a hike when I also saw Sundance’s band close, and Duke and Kreacher, and Chrome’s and Aspen’s bands at a distance. I may have some news soon about whether Roja and Killian did, indeed, rejoin Aspen, Mona and Shane.
So, a bit of explanation: Part of my busy-ness these last few (several?) weeks has involved walking fence lines. Several places were cut before the roundup. Fortunately, we have been able to get those cuts fixed. All the horses are safe and sound within protected boundaries. In a few weeks, a group of students from the University of Missouri will be in the area during their annual “alternative spring break.” Students usually spend a day in the basin on a projects (cutting and spraying tamarisk the last few years) and then other projects on local public lands during the rest of their stay. This year, they will spend two days in the basin repairing and rebuilding fence. We are always happy to have their volunteer labor and cheerful help! This is a program organized through San Juan Mountains Association (part of our Disappointment Wild Bunch Partners coalition) with BLM and other volunteer groups. We have certainly put partnerships to good work here.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Wonderful that you will have help to repair the fences and clear old wire! Think you can convince some of those kids to come back when there is the next clean up??
They come once a year for the alternative spring break program. I think this will be the ninth or 10th year. Great program.
Great that these kids are doing something worthwhile on their break. Wish more kids were like that. Great contrast in the picture.
Ditto! And they’re so cheerful and happy to be here. We love to have them here!
a most interesting photo TJ. made my head spin. First it brought back memories of a Joan Baez song “Three Horses” (1971) which tells of 3 horses. A white stallion (years past), a red mare, (here & now), and a
black stallion, (years to come). genders are not correct but colors certainly are. a most haunting song. Then of course your photo could portray three
of the “Four horses of the apocalypse, (a grey is missing), as described
in The Bible’s “Book of Revelations”. Also their names are interesting.
goin g back to greek mythology, Corona, a ring of celetial light or Crown,
Gaia, of the Earth, and Aurora , or Dawn. “Aurora musis amica” TJ, or
Dawn favors the muses I’ll bet we’re both early risers to take advantage
of those favors.
Love all this info! Corona was named after her sire, a great palomino stallion in Sand Wash Basin (also known as “Fabio” for his wavy locks!). But Gaia and Aurora were, indeed, named for the meanings you mention. Gaia was born on Earth Day. I have been a night owl most of the last 12 or so years, rising early only on vacation or weekends with the horses! But my rhythms are changing …