Nibbling the itch all the while maintaining eye contact – brilliant!
And who notices the grass in the background? Our rain is too sporadic and hit-or-miss (mostly miss) to be considered monsoons, but the greening of the region is testament to the fact that SOME rain is NOT missing us!
Do you see what I see? He’s pretty sure he’s invisible.
Finding the horses in different places of the basin is what passes for excitement in Spring Creek Basin. To find them in trees is like finding water in the desert!
Sweet Maia makes a person smile.
Sometimes the world is too beautiful for words.
Pretty Raven in the secret forest.
Many readers know that Raven was born and raised in Sand Wash Basin and came here in 2008 with Mona and Kootenai to help boost our genetics. Because Spring Creek Basin’s appropriate management level currently is just 35 to 65 adult horses, BLM periodically introduces horses in order to help keep our herd’s genetics viable, per a recommendation by equine geneticist Dr. Gus Cothran (at my alma mater, Texas A&M University).
An EA has recently been released for a bait-trapping operation in Sand Wash Basin. Information about where to send your comments by the Sept. 4 deadline may be found here, in a news brief in the Craig Daily Press.
“The BLM seeks comment on the Environmental Assessment of this gather plan, available at the Little Snake Field Office at 455 Emerson St., Craig, CO 81625 and online at: 1.usa.gov/23gjg6w. Public comments will be most helpful to the BLM if received by Sept. 4. Written comments can be mailed to the Little Snake Field Office or submitted via email to blm_co_sandwash_hma@blm.gov.”
(Note that the website indicated in the press release leads to an error page.)
Of note in the very positive category, Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary and Sand Wash Advocate Team are specifically mentioned for their partnership with BLM in managing this herd: “Our partnership with SWAT and GEMS has been vital to meeting our goal of maintaining the health of the Sand Wash wild horses and the lands they depend upon,” BLM Northwest District Manager Joe Meyer said in a news release.
Also: “While confined in a corral, BLM employees and Sand Wash Advocacy Team members would identify mares, that would be treated with a contraceptive called PZP, which delays fertilization, before being released back to the range. Up to 50 young wild horses would be removed for placement in the Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary training and adoption program.”
Please take a look at the EA and send comments. SWAT volunteers are currently using fertility control in Sand Wash Basin, and they need support in order to continue their efforts to manage this herd well.
My mom and dad met as high schoolers (different schools), showing horses. Through Ohio State University (Dad) and Akron City Hospital (Mom’s nursing school), through 20 years as an officer with the U.S. Army (domestically and overseas) and as a nurse in many of those locations, we had horses in as many places as possible.
Their love for each other and their love of horses has been present throughout my life and my brother’s. And their love of all of us – and themselves! – continues. 🙂
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!
“Free and easy … like the wind in your hair …
“Free and easy … that’s gonna get you there.”
Another nod to Dave Stamey for the words in today’s post.
That’s the face of a handsome boy – Grey/Traveler – who has been photographed sooooo many times and is soooo over it. 🙂
Ah … but he still makes my heart flutter. He’s so good to even look up from his grazing!
She may not be the prettiest gal in the basin, but she’s awfully sweet. She was watching her stallion watch another stallion across an open expanse of sage and saltbush and lots and lots of amazing green grass (thank you, rain!).
Oh, these girls. Look at their plump healthiness.
Love.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 