Spoiler alert: He’s OK. Beat up, but OK.
I’ve kept some news from Spring Creek Basin under wraps for the last month or so, meanwhile wondering how was I ever going to break the news, should it be negative (again, it’s not the worst). Usually, I don’t necessarily mention the deaths of our mustangs, preferring to let them go in peace … and as you know or should know from Ranger’s disappearance, I don’t really have the words to express my grief very well anyway. Also, because of their wild nature, it sometimes takes a while to determine whether a particular horse is MIA or KIA.
Again, Hollywood is OK – beat up, but OK.
Hollywood lost Houdini to a young stallion more than a month ago, and I’ve been keeping tabs on them. She’s fine and seems peaceful in her new situation. Hollywood was then rebuffing attention from another young stallion. At his age, I was hoping he might let (another) one of the mares go and continue on with the majority of his band. … But it wasn’t to be. A couple of weeks later, I lost track of Hollywood himself, and a young band stallion showed up with Alegre, Maia, Shane and baby Odin (and he still has them, and they’re all fine). At that point, only Spirit was missing. … I finally found her with a young stallion, but within the last week, he showed up – minus Spirit – back with his young bachelor pals.
I thought maybe Spirit had found and reunited with Houdini … but no, she’s with yet another young bachelor stallion, who had been on his own recently. She seems much happier with him than with the other youngster (go figure).
But I still hadn’t seen Hollywood.
Finally, a few days ago, in a setting that seemed somewhat miraculous (maybe because I was starting to lose hope of ever seeing him again), I watched Hollywood graze his way slowly across an edge of a “meadow” area. I was hugely relieved … but upon closer inspection, he’s obviously recovering from what must have been the fight of his life. In the pic above, he looks thin. What it doesn’t show (and I’m not going to show) is that he has a strip of hide hanging from one side of his hindquarters (the gash does seem to be healing, but it’s also still draining) … and his right eye, one of his pair of most-gorgeous eyes, is pretty well shut, and by his behavior, I think he has no sight in that eye.
The hopeful news is that he’s in an area of good grazing and one of two ponds in the basin that still has water. I’m hoping he continues to heal and put on some weight throughout the summer.
Because Hollywood is so known and so loved by so many, I thought it best to give this account of his status, even if it’s (likely) the end of his era as a band stallion. When I first started documenting the herd in 2007 and met him, he had a mare, likely his first mare. I named him Hollywood because he had that air of a star about him, in the very best ways.
He may be small, but he’s also mighty, and his mares adored him. That was always obvious.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Poor Hollywood! 😥 I am so grateful that we didn’t lose him. He is such a favorite, one of the Basin’s cadre of iconic celebrities. It hurts to know he’s hurt, but hopefully healing will continue, and he can finish out his life in the Basin in peace and dignity. Our noble Hollywood; seeing him is always a thrilling experience.
I hope he can recover … maybe become a mentor to the younger generation like Aspen (he’s not full time in that role, but every now and then, he takes on a couple of youngsters).
I hope he can heal, and decide to retire! So sad when they keep on fighting with no hope of winning!
He’s sure not doing much fighting these days. Hopefully he’ll avoid other horses for a while (I think that’s what he’s doing) and just recover and heal.
TJ, this is profound information and with all that it contains, I like you feel a great sense of relief in knowing he is still alive. Hollywood is a Stallion that many of us have known for a long time and love dearly for his bravado and leader ship. Now coming tomorrow to visit will be even sweeter knowing that he is still there. I pray his wounds heal and that with the summer months ahead he becomes stronger, even if he can’t be a band leader again. I pray you heal quickly Hollywood and continue to enjoy your life in Spring Creek Basin. Amen! 💗
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Thanks, Karen.
Getting to “know” any wild animal always has the likelihood of their disappearance or worse, eventually. I’ve realized from reading here & other wild horse sites, its very much like the wildlife here – mainly deer – another prey animal. Luckily the wild horses (mostly) arent hunted. Its hard….
Yes, and the longer we know them … the harder it is.
Yeah – the life span of a white tail deer is really short compared to the Wild Horses. Like the horses – they are so beautiful – each in their own way.
😥
Think good thoughts. … He hasn’t given up the fight for life. 🙂
So sad to think he will no longer be a band stallion. But maybe it will be in the cards to for him to regain his mares. He is still the most beautiful stallion by far (to me anyway). Hopefully he doesn’t disappear again but if he does maybe he will be return with many mares. Thank you T.J. for all the beautiful pictures of all the ponies. And thank you for the update on Hollywood
I saw him again a couple of days ago, peacefully grazing. He’s doing all right. I’m glad it’s summer with good grass and water. 🙂
Such an unbelievable story !!
He must be so relieved, except for the war rooms. I hope he stays visible for you to keep track of him. Maybe even find a new herd to bond with.
Thanks so much for sharing !
He was the last of the original band stallions from when I started documenting, and he’s among the last small group of horses still alive from that era. He’s an old and very treasured friend. 🙂
I am so sorry he had to go through this. I know ‘life goes on’, but still, some of these older stallions just give up the ghost after losing their mares. Glad to hear Hollywood survived the ordeal and is hanging in there. Speedy wishes for a full recovery and maybe a little visit on the side with a mare or two.
There;s that “but still …” 🙂 Having known him so long at the top of his game and adored stallion of his family, yes, it’s hard to see him battered and sore and alone. I’d just love to see him healthy again.
Agreed.
What a story I am glad you told so well.
I am glad Hollywood is healing as well as can be expected in what must have been a terrific battle.
I’m hoping, hoping that he heals as well as he can and has some “easy” times ahead.
You know where our hearts are – thanks for the update.
I do. 🙂 Thank you both.