Flash and Gaia (until recently, one of Storm’s long(LONG)-time mares) start their evening browsing in the mud among the patches of snow (! still) after rousing from a nap. Mysterium also is still with them, but she seemed to be already ready to head for a water source and was just waiting for them to wake up.
I do think I saw Storm a week or so ago, from a very great distance – and he was actually watching young Flash and his former mares. I still haven’t seen him close, but he seems to be OK.
Flash has acquired and lost, acquired and lost a few mares these last couple of years, but he seems to be doing well with Gaia and Myst … and they with him.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Flash may have finally established dominance with his fledgling new band. He’s certainly been trying regularly, and it seems his persistence has paid off! Poor Storm, though. He was such a steady and perennial band leader for so long. I feel sad for him that he’s been deposed. Hope he’s okay.
I think he may have learned that not only does he NOT have to be dominant, he really shouldn’t try: The MARES are the ones in charge. š I have seen overly micro-managing stallions with their mares … they don’t like that, and while he may be able to keep them together, it’s exhausting. Myst still seems a little restless – whether because she wanted to go to water or another reason – but Gaia seems pretty content. She and Flash were together the whole time I spent, even walking out and away, but Myst was always a bit apart.
I’m super sad for Storm, too. He got a band together fairly young, and it just never occurred to me that he’d lose them so fairly young (he’s 16). Don’t count him out, though. He may yet surprise us. š
The horses have their soap opera going on!
A little bit. Ha. š