Images Of The Vanishing West

BLM WILD HORSE & BURRO CONTRACTS - 2001

2012-02-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

2012-01-07T01:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to the Cherry Creek Nine (er ... Correction: Eleven-going-on-Twelve)

Editorial and Fine Art Photography by Arla M. Ruggles

2012. The gang's all here! All nine of the Cherry Creek band are unified, and back in their old family home. Every member looks well and healthy. One mare appears to be carrying.

Keep Their Light Shining

2011-11-26T18:07:00.001-08:00

Keep Their Light Shining

The Homecoming Of Jupiter And Baron Moonshadow

2011-11-12T13:51:00.001-08:00

For Caroline, Leslye, Jerry, Ellen … and wild horse lovers everywhere:

By the time the two aging mustangs arrived at their destination, the sun had set. A full Moon was rising, and beside that sphere, brilliant Jupiter sparkled on the horizon; a rare constellation.

As the trailer gate swung open, the horses bolted forth and dashed down the gentle slope. I marveled at the scene unfolding in the dimming light:

The “incorrigable” red bounded into a small stand of trees, followed closely by the black. They paused briefly then trotted off in another direction and into another stand of trees. We heard them snorting loudly, filling their nostrils with the familiar scent of sage and juniper and pinon. What a rush that must have been after weeks in close confinement and today’s long hours on the highway. They watched us, waiting I suppose, for our pursuit.

We waved them a fond farewell and headed for the house, determined to leave them undisturbed for many many days. All they need, they have in this expansive pasture so close to their native range,
Driving away, quiet elation radiated around me, as I gazed at the bright lights in the sky. At that moment, the unbreakable red roan was re-christened Jupiter, for the bright planet of wisdom, freedom, and plenty, whose presence had illuminated this auspicious moment.

Jupiter’s younger companion- that stunning black beauty- had never left his side during their time in bondage. Baron Moonshadow.

While technically, the horses belong to me, it was only through the efforts of several wonderful caring people that they have been ransomed and returned to a place where they can live out their days in peace. In fact, they belong to no person. They belong to the land.

Created using Corel PhotoImpact x3

The Triumphant Return Of Blaze

2011-10-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

(2011.OCT.29) -

The story of Blaze is the stuff local legend.

(2011.OCT.28) The Triumphant Return Of Blaze - and Co.

In August, the BLM arrived in this peaceful valley, intent upon removing ALL of the wild horses living here.

Blaze - taken a few days before the round-up.
I feared it would be the last image I would ever get.

Blaze, a three-year old bachelor, was photographed running behind a string of mares and foals destined for the trap.

Later, I heard that a stallion had escaped from that trap – and that a palomino foal had tried to follow suit. The stallion got away, but the foal was killed after her injuries from the barbed wire were deemed too serious for treatment.

When I went back to survey the area days later, I saw a family of nine horses. A rancher told me that the band had sneaked off into a canyon while the helicopter was chasing the escaped stallion, and that after the trucks left with their haul (25 mustangs), the stud had gone back to reunite with his family in hiding.

Although I was glad to find this band alive and well on their home turf, there was sad disappointment when I discovered that the stallion was not Blaze, but his old sire.

Advocates that went to Gunnison prison told me that no horse fitting Blaze’s description had ever come in. I did not dare to hope. I wondered what had become of my friend. Had he been an undocumented casualty of the stampede?

2011.OCT.28 - Blaze & Friend

On a recent jaunt through the valley that this herd calls home, I noticed two mustangs off in the distance. I thought they must be young stallions driven off from the “Cherry Creek Nine” - now, the only remaining wild band in this valley. They were too far away to get a clear shot, and I had people with me, so I went on my way without trying to get in closer.

I returned the next day alone. The two horses were a little closer to the road, and I was able to approach them, a BIT. When I got close enough, they bolted and headed for the trees. My heart was leaping, for I was almost certain that the lead stallion was my friend, Blaze. Couldn’t wait to get home and magnify my images … and what I found there, was confirmation that one of my wildest dreams had come true: Blaze was home!

Putting all the pieces together, I realize that the old stallion with the Cherry Creek Nine had never been in the clutches of the BLM’s machine, but had remained with his mares the whole time. The valiant escapee had, indeed, been Blaze.

I don’t know where he has been, these past two lonely months, but I am over the moon to see him again, back where he belongs. Happier still, that he has a companion, now. I am not yet 100% sure that’s a mare by his side, but OoooH! Is he ever protective of his beautiful young friend!

The reason for the name: Blaze

The first time I saw Blaze alone.

Blaze's first family: The Cherry Creek Band (stallion not shown) -- 2011.OCT.27

Farewell To Freedom

Wasted Sorrow

Open Letter to BLM, Egan NV Field Office re: Proposed Pancake HMA Roundup

2011-10-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

----- Original Message -----

From: Arla M. Ruggles

To: PancakeComplex@blm.gov

Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 6:19 AM

Subject: Pancake Complex Gather

BLM Ely District Office

HC 33 Box 33500

Ely, NV 89301

Attn: Gary W. Medlyn, Egan Field Manager

Dear Mr. Medlyn, et al;

I am a native and third-generation resident of rural White Pine County, Nevada. I am descended from ranchers, miners, and the original "mustangers". My family includes hunters and outdoorsmen - all of whom consider our freedom to enjoy access to public lands as bordering on the sacred. As a nature photographer, my life and livelihood are vested in the land of my forefathers. Wild horses are an integral part of my pioneer heritage.

I have followed various bands of wild horses continuously over the past decade. Initially, I believed all that I had been told about wild horse and burro management. I accepted the "fact" that it was necessary to gather mustangs periodically for their own welfare, as well as for the health of the range. I did - and still do - appreciate the concerns of stockmen endeavoring to make an honest living on the land. (Not to be confused with those making their fortune from government-sponsored subsidies.)

Over the course of long-term observation, I began to notice that at least some of what I had believed about mustangs was not accurate. After several years, I came to know that there was a great deal of misinformation about wild horses, and their natural habitat in the high desert terrain of central eastern Nevada.

Reluctantly, I decided to observe a BLM "gather". My first experience was at Conger, Utah. This was an "in-house" all-BLM operation. What I witnessed was a well-organized, orderly operation. I went home believing that the helicopter-driven roundup process was marginally humane.

During the winter of 2010-11, I had the opportunity to observe at Nevada's Antelope Complex, and this past summer, in Triple B HMA's. These gathers completely and permanently altered my perception of standard helicopter round-ups.

Again and again, I watched as Sun J pilot, Josh Helyer, flaunted his obvious contempt for the horses he was charged with shepherding into captivity. I observed (and photographed) this pilot over-driving and over-running horses and foals. I saw young foals driven many miles over extremely rugged terrain. I saw very old, non-reproducing horses driven to the breaking point. I saw family bands deliberately scattered. I witnessed close encounters in violation of BLM guidelines, and the laws of the State of Nevada. (These photos are available for your review, upon request.) I know of at least two domestic horses that died as a direct result of Mr. Helyer's radical style, in Steptoe Valley.

No other animal - wild or domestic - is herded by helicopter. The standard horse racetrack is one-quarter mile, and only horses over the age of two years are permitted to participate in these races. There are reasons for that, based upon well-founded knowledge of equine anatomy.

Furthermore, I have been utterly dismayed by the blatant misrepresentation of true conditions of the range. For example, visiting advocates at the Butte Valley operation in August, were told that BLM had been hauling water into the area for four months. 2011 has been one of the wettest years on record. I am continually out on this range, and have documented the abundance of water throughout the year, and in years past. If someone is being paid to deliver water here, there is flagrant misappropriation of funds. Nowhere in this region have I seen ANY need for supplemental water, as perennial water sources have remained at optimum levels throughout the summer. Neither is there any shortage of forage; and there has not been, since the drought ended, years ago.

I have been shocked and appalled to learn that this district plans to geld and release 200 stallions in the Pancakes HMA. An identical proposal was scrapped in Wyoming this past summer because it was proven to be without any merit, whatsoever. Gelding is the most preposterous excuse for "population control" ever devised. Whomever came up with this scheme clearly has no knowledge of wild horse social structure, or natural selection. Gelding will have NO EFFECT on population growth.

Releasing 200 non-reproducing males will create tremendous confusion in herd counts. Implementation of this sadistic and pointless EXPERIMENT would reflect negatively on the state of Nevada. There is no plan in place to accurately monitor the "success" of this EXPERIMENT.

I deeply object to the rationalization that horse trails are detrimental to the "wilderness experience". Gentlemen! Mustangs are an integral part of the wilderness experience. Visitors to our state are, in my opinion, as interested in seeing wild horses, as any other wildlife. It seems to me that Nevada has the last remaining truly wild horse population, as herds in other states have become socialized, and accustomed to public contact. Our wild ones can be an economic boon to tourism, given half a chance.

Existing Wild Horse and Burro Programs are in desperate need of reform!

I support the development of volunteer programs that enlist the input of public observers in documentation of herds and range conditions. Put my name at the top of that list! When real hands-on management of herds at the local level is implemented, large-scale removal will not be necessary. The technology exists to monitor and control wild horse populations without massive roundups.

We need to:

Stop stockpiling non-adoptable horses in exorbitantly expensive long-term holding facilities at the burden of taxpayers.
End cruel and inhumane helicopter roundups. There are better methods available.
Implement programs that utilize public observation and regional knowledge of wild horses, and the range they inhabit.
Foster public awareness in support of healthy herds based on TRUE and accurate information.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Arla M. Ruggles

White Pine County, Nevada

(2011.OCT.09&14) Bachelors Of Butte Valley

2011-10-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

The driest summer months have past, and this year, the tank in Horse Canyon (one of many in this area) has remained full to overflowing. A year-round natural spring, this watering hole has served wild horses, deer, and elk continuously for more than fifty years. Sheep and cattle are rarely seen in this canyon - the sheep graze higher, the cattle stay in the lowland areas where crested wheat is abundant.

Horses do not foul their water sources as cattle do.

2011.OCT.13 - Nevada's Pancake Complex HMAs to be site of BLM Wild Horse Science Project

2011-10-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

BLM Wild Horse ather operations scheduled for JAN 2012
Pancakes Complex HMAs - Central Nevada.

.BLM's PANCAKE COMPLEX Proposed Action:

Under the Proposed Action, the BLM would gather approximately 65-70% of the existing wild horses (approximately 1,435-1,540 animals in the initial 2012 gather) every two to three years with a target removal of approximately 800-1,000 excess wild horses per gather over a period of six to ten years.

The principal management goal for the Complex would be to retain a core breeding population of 361 wild horses, which is low end of AML. To help reduce population growth rates, the core breeding population would be managed to achieve a 60% male sex ratio and all mares released back to the Complex would be treated with fertility control (PZP-22 or most current formulation).

The combination of these actions should lower the population growth rate within the Complex. In addition, it is proposed to manage for a non-breeding component of 200 geldings, which would bring the overall population to approximately 561 wild horses which is the mid-range of the AML.

Since proposed action in winter 2012 would only allow for the removal of approximately 800-1,000 excess wild horses, dependent on available holding space, and would not achieve the desired low end of AML; it is anticipated that two to four follow-up gathers over a period of six to ten years would be needed to achieve the low end of AML for the Complex based on current population estimates, projected rates of increase, and projected scheduling of future gathers.

This will also allow the BLM to implement the population control components (PZP treatments, sex ratio adjustment, and geldings) as proposed.

Population inventories and routine resource/habitat monitoring would be completed between gather cycles to document current population levels, growth rates, and areas of continued resource concern (horse concentrations, riparian impacts, over-utilization, etc.) prior to any follow-up gather.

Any follow-up gather activities would be conducted in a manner consistent with those described for the winter 2012 gather and would be conducted during the period November through February which is identified for maximum effectiveness of the fertility control. Funding limitations and competing priorities may require delaying the follow-up gather and population control component.

Background 1:1
The Pancake Complex is located approximately 30 miles west, southwest of Ely, Nevada, and 10 miles southeast of Eureka, Nevada, and 80 miles northwest of Tonopah Nevada within White Pine and Nye Counties (Map 1). Table 1 below displays the total acreage and established Appropriate Management Levels (AML) for each of the HMAs and WHT.

The 2008 Ely RMP combined two existing HMAs (Monte Cristo and Sand Springs East HMAs) into the Pancake HMA. The decision to combine all or portions of the two HMAs was due to the historical interchange of wild horses between the two HMAs and was also based on an in-depth analysis of habitat suitability and monitoring data as set forth in the Ely Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement, Table 3.8-2 and Page 4.8-2. The 2007 EIS evaluated each herd management area for five essential habitat components and herd characteristics: forage, water, cover, space, and reproductive viability. Through this analysis and the subsequent Final RMP and Record of Decision (ROD) , the boundaries of the Pancake HMA were established to ensure sufficient habitat for wild horses, and an AML was reviewed and set that would achieve a thriving natural ecological balance and rangeland health.

Jakes Wash Herd Management Area has been returned to Herd Area Status consistent with the Record of Decision (ROD) and the 2008 Approved Ely District Resource Management Plan (RMP) at management action WH-5, which states: "Remove wild horses and drop herd management area status for those … as listed in Table 13." Removal of all ~~excess~~ wild horses from the Jakes Wash HA is needed at this time in order to implement this management direction 4 and to prevent damage to the range resulting from the current overpopulation while achieving and maintaining a multiple-use relationship within the area.

The proposed wild horse gather of the Pancake HMA would be conducted in coordination and in conjunction with the Tonopah Field Office and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, due to historic movement and continuing interchange of wild horses between the

Pancake HMA
(approximately 855,00 acres of public land),
Sand Springs West HMA
(approximately 157,436 acres of private/public land),
Jakes Wash HA
(approximately 153,663 acres of private/public land)
Monte Cristo WHT
(approximately 93,640 acres of private/public land).

Statement on HSUS Gather Report and Recommendations

www.blm.gov

BLM, BLM News, BLM Newsreleases, BLM News Releases, BLM Congressional Testimony,... Congressional Testimony, DOI News, DOI Newsreleases, DOI News Releases, People Land and WaterSee More

(2011.AUG.27) Triple B - Report by Maureen L. Vanderstad

2011-10-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Report by Maureen L. Vanderstad
Photography by Arla M. Ruggles

(Repost from GrassRootsHorse.com )

You can see the jute trap wings crossing the road behind the helicopter in the photo below. It is evident why the horses are dripping in sweat [].

As viewing was so limited at the trap, I do not know if all 5 horses shown in the segments of the highlighted sequence were captured. I think possibly one may have gotten away.

The contractor’s pilot follows his usual pattern which still remains unchecked by the BLM or law enforcement. The pattern consists of breaking apart bands of wild horses and then targeting specific horses. The assault shown here is only a segment that began at 7:12 am when he began to harass a group of 8 wild horses. The wild horses were captured at 7:29 am.

He continuously challenges some of the horses and cuts them apart from the rest. He repeatedly dives down at the horses and flies dangerously close. Often it appears he is losing control of the aircraft as it dips and sways, unsteady in the currents he creates by his actions.

The wild horses change direction to find safety and it appears to me that it angers him and he continues the pattern of abuse even more aggressively.

This seems more to me like he is hunting horses, not herding them.
In the photograph below there is a foal behind the light colored horse underneath the skids

The pattern of chasing the wild horses back and forth, splitting and targeting horses including singling out the foal continues. These stills are only part of the sequence. Another man is in the cockpit with the pilot and I believe it to be John “Jake” Holmes, the owner of Sun J, the helicopter contractor and who is, the pilot Josh Hellyer’s boss. A complaint was filed with the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office.

In this specific sequence this goes on for 25 minutes and is not an isolated instance but has been the documented “norm” throughout the roundup.

At the trap wings, which is the entrance to the trap, the pilot makes a severely aggressive push to the lead horse which is really what I would call an attack. This is just out of view of observers who are now contained in the horse trailer on the ground level of the hillside.

The aggression escalates. My opinion is he knows the public has been contained in a horse trailer surrounded by juniper trees and they have minimal viewing. **At the time the public observers were restricted to the horse trailer, our range photographers documented the pilot was running wild horses up and down the hillside behind them. Photographs were taken from the observation area as well showing the helicopter flying low on the top of the hill and behind it.
The wild horse and burro specialists, Ben Noyes and Ruth Thompson are in constant radio contact with the pilot and ground crew as is the Public Relations person Chris Hanefeld. If they did not know this was happening then they certainly should have known. It is the responsibility of Ben Noyes and Ruth Thompson to ensure the safety and humane treatment of the wild horses at the roundup.

This is a preliminary Part 1 of only 1 round up day. Please don’t wait to contact your congressional representatives. Ask their help today. We will be including other contact information and way that you can take grass roots action !

Please help support this work, whether a donation or volunteer we welcome the help to continue. Donations are tax deductible and we can accept donations of real property as well – cars, trucks, helicopters :)

www.grassrootshorse.com

(2011.AUG.27) GrassRootsHorse report on Triple B Gather (repost)

2011-10-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

(2011.AUG.27)

Report by Maureen Lynch Vanderstad
Photography by Arla M. Ruggles

The photograph below shows the seconds before the photo above. You can see the jute trap wings crossing the road behind the helicopter in the photo below. It is evident why the horses are dripping in sweat and notice the small foal to the right in the photo above. As viewing was so limited at the trap, I do not know if all 5 horses shown in the segments of the highlighted sequence were captured. I think possibly one may have gotten away.

The contractor’s pilot follows his usual pattern which still remains unchecked by the BLM or law enforcement. The pattern consists of breaking apart bands of wild horses and then targeting specific horses. The assault shown here is only a segment that began at 7:12 am when he began to harass a group of 8 wild horses. The wild horses were captured at 7:29 am

He continuously challenges some of the horses and cuts them apart from the rest. He repeatedly dives down at the horses and flies dangerously close. Often it appears he is losing control of the aircraft as it dips and sways, unsteady in the currents he creates by his actions.

The wild horses change direction to find safety and it appears to me that it angers him and he continues the pattern of abuse even more aggressively.

This seems more to me like he is hunting horses, not herding them.
In the photograph below there is a foal behind the light colored horse underneath the skids

The pattern of chasing the wild horses back and forth, splitting and targeting horses including singling out the foal continues. These stills are only part of the sequence. Another man is in the cockpit with the pilot and I believe it to be John “Jake” Holmes, the owner of Sun J, the helicopter contractor and who is, the pilot Josh Hellyer’s boss. A complaint was filed with the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office.

In this specific sequence this goes on for 25 minutes and is not an isolated instance but has been the documented “norm” throughout the roundup.

At the trap wings, which is the entrance to the trap, the pilot makes a severely aggressive push to the lead horse which is really what I would call an attack. This is just out of view of observers who are now contained in the horse trailer on the ground level of the hillside.

The aggression escalates. My opinion is he knows the public has been contained in a horse trailer surrounded by juniper trees and they have minimal viewing. **At the time the public observers were restricted to the horse trailer, our range photographers documented the pilot was running wild horses up and down the hillside behind them. Photographs were taken from the observation area as well showing the helicopter flying low on the top of the hill and behind it.
The wild horse and burro specialists, Ben Noyes and Ruth Thompson are in constant radio contact with the pilot and ground crew as is the Public Relations person Chris Hanefeld. If they did not know this was happening then they certainly should have known. It is the responsibility of Ben Noyes and Ruth Thompson to ensure the safety and humane treatment of the wild horses at the roundup.

This is a preliminary Part 1 of only 1 round up day. Please don’t wait to contact your congressional representatives. Ask their help today. We will be including other contact information and way that you can take grass roots action !
Please help support this work, whether a donation or volunteer we welcome the help to continue. Donations are tax deductible and we can accept donations of real property as well – cars, trucks, helicopters :) www.grassrootshorse.com

Under Cover at the Triple B Wild Horse Gather ...

2011-09-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

(2011.AUG.27 - SAT) -

Just before sundown on the evening of Friday, 2011.AUG.26, I was dropped off on the western side of the Egan Mountains, not far from where Sun J/BLM had established their trap site, the previous afternoon. I carried a small tarp, bedroll, thermos, four bottles of water, and some granola bars. And, of course, my camera gear, and a small 2-way radio.

My plan was to spend the night on the hillside, and be there under cover, before gather activities commenced in the morning. Initially, my plan had included another person, and an ATV. The second person did not arrive in time, and I changed my mind about the ATV at the drop-off. It would be to noisy and too visible. I later determined that would also have been true of any extra people. Solo worked out just fine.

As it was rapidly growing dark, and there would be no moon, I walked just a short distance, found a suitable juniper tree to shelter under, tucked my sleeping bag between the folds of the tarp, and crawled in. I was exhausted from the previous days' activities, and had no difficlty falling asleep, even as I heard a few raindrops beginning to pelt my plastic tarp.

When I awoke, it was still dark, but the Milky Way was a white lamp. I couldn't feel my legs, and took some time to uncurl and get the circulation flowing. I checked my camera for the time: 3:18 a.m. Other team members would already be on their way to the morning briefing in Ely. I rolled my sleeping bag into the tarp - dull side out - tied a white trash bag to a lower limb (so as to make locating it easy, later on). I poured a cup of coffee and left the heavy stainless steel thermos on the bedroll, along with 2 bottles of water. Before the coffee in my cup was cold, I would be tired of carrying it, and left the mug on a the crown of short juniper tree. Maybe I would get it back. Maybe not.

Although it was still dark, the ground was light in contrast to the knee-high sagebrush, so I was able to pick a trail through. I thought about rattlesnakes, and decided to trust thet would all be sleeping in their holes, this time of day. Resolved to not shriek, if I happened to encounter one.

Skirting along the treeline, I began working my way north and west, aiming in the general direction of a gap on the horizon, that I thought to be northwest of the trap.

Ideally, I wanted to be as close to the trap as possible, while still maintaining visibilty of the wider field of operations the pilot would be flying in. Although I would keep a good distance from any activities (so as not to be accused of disrupting the gather), I hoped to go undetected.

After about an hour, I saw a light emerging from the direction of Hercules Gap. Behind it, another .... and hence, the convoy became visible, and I could see them advancing toward me, as the horizon began to lighten. I moved deeper into some trees and continued toward the road. I had lost my bearings, and was not sure now, where I was in relation to the trap. I could tell by the changes in terrain, that I was approaching the road. "Creator, guide my steps."

As the line of trucks turned, I realized that I had walked farther than I should have, and would be too far north. I began working my way back, now being more careful to stay close to the trees, as the first rays of sun had broken over the crest of the mountain.

Soon, I heard a pickup go past on the road. A ranger's white rig pulled up into small a canyon and stopped. After a while, he drove back to the road and parked facing the trap (to the south). He was so close to me, I could hear his radio, and I nearly "surrendered", for thinking that he must have spotted me. When nobody yelled, or came looking, I grinned and shrugged just a tiny bit smugly, for having pulled off the maneuver, so far. I deer crept a ways up the hill, moving from one tree to the next. I didn't want Mr. Ranger to hear my shutter. (Eventually, I devised a "muffler" by pushing the behemoth lens down through the sleeve of my stretchy camo sweatshirt.)

This would be the outside perimeter of operations, and since I was confident that I would have a clear field of vision, I determined to stay just beyond the edge of it. I was doing everything within the guidelines of observation AT the trap; EXCEPT keeping both feet inside the restrictive fluorescent tape boundary that I later heard BLM people refer to as "The Box". I was dressed in camo, and as often as possible, I followed Ruth Thompson's edict: "BECOME the tree."

Before long, I heard the helicopter approaching. He swept over the trap site and proceeded up to a location that appeared to be about where I had left my kit.

I thought about my friends just over the ridge, and wondered if they could hear any reports on their handler's radio, of some crazy person skulking around in the trees.

Indeed, he must have seen my trashbag flag, and gone to investigate. People observing from the trap later commented that he had hovered in one spot for quite a long time, and that they had worried then, that my cover had been blown.

While they all thought I would go higher up on the mountain, I had instead opted to move down, and closer to the action. It would be risky, but worthwhile, if I was able to document the kind of action I had come to suspect was going on, out of sight of regulated observation points.

-------------- MORE TO FOLLOW ------

(2011.JUL.20) Day One - Triple B Gather

2011-07-21T04:32:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUL.20)

In our role as advocates for better treatment of our wild herds, it often seems like only the mistakes and abuses are talked about. The worst aspects of wild horse management operations do need to be brought to light, AND we should be just as quick to recognize improvements as they occur.

Today, it must be said that Sun J and BLM did an excellent job in all aspects of their gather operations, and every part of the process was carried out with professionalism and skill.

Sun J pilot, Josh Hellyer, showed marked improvement from his earlier
performances at the Antelope Complex gather, early this past winter.

Throughout the day, Josh held back from the running herds, and at one point, even fell back and allowed them to rest and regroup before continuing into the jute enclosure.

None of the horses entering the trap appeared unduly stressed, and no lather appeared.

We noticed that most of the overhead railings were padded. Our BLM rep explained that the padding had been suggested as a way to reduce neck and head injuries, this small improvement has been incorporated into the standard setup. (One example of how speaking quietly gets better results than screaming epithets.)

Padded overhead rails are known to reduce injuries significantly.

A few of the railings were missing pads, and this was also pointed out to the rep.

Situated in a gravel pit, the gravel mounds provided an excellent point of vantage for wranglers.

Today's trap set-up was unique, inthat the trap and sorting corrals were directly connected to short term holding pens. This eliminates one in a series of loading and unloading, as the horses will be taken directly to their destination in Gunnison, UT. This not only reduces stress on the horses, it is economically advantageous.

The pens were well supplied with fresh water and hay. A water truck from BLM Fire filled troughs, and then encircled the pens with a swath of cooling spray to quell the dust. We noticed that the animals seemed undisturbed by the large truck driving around the pens, while workers on foot were frightening to them. Given that this is a mining area, the horses are used to heavy vehicles rolling through their habitat.

The sorting process was carried out quickly and efficiently, and each group of animals settled down quickly after sorting.

The four-wave gather brought in eight stallions, eight dry mares, two mares with foals, and two heavily pregnant mares, for a total of twenty-two. At the end of the day's gather operations, we were invited to approach the holding pens. All animals were in very good condition, and no series injuries were observed.

It is gratifying to note that cooperative efforts between advocates and BLM have brought about some improvements in the roundup process. We can be grateful for the horses' sakes. Such progress in dialogue bodes well for continuing efforts to achieve a healthy equine environment, and an end to mass removals of horses from their native ranges.

This is no time to relax our efforts toward achieving transparency in all phases of wild horse management.

Please support GrassRootsHorse.com

RANGE REPORT: East Triple B WHA - Elko CO. (2011.JUL.12)

2011-07-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Twelve hours and 200 miles of rough road yielded:

Horses: 2 (Butte Valley)

Deer: 1 (Cherry Creek Canyon)

Antelope: 2 (Butte Valley)

Elk: 0

Cattle: @ 50

Temp: 75-93

The high desert is still relatively green, for mid-July.

Some snow remains on the highest peaks of the Ruby Mountains. Creeks in the higher elevations are slowing, and many of the washes are dry. Grass and vegetation are plentiful in the mountains and foothills.

There are THREE Cherry Springs near the Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Two of them are located in the Ruby Mountains, south of Shantytown. The northwestern leg of Cherry Springs Canyon falls within the Cherry Springs Wild Horse TERRITORY.

Ruby Mountains Eastern Slope - Elko County, NV

As there is still snow remaining, and plenty of forage visible, I quickly decided that these short canyons would not be the target of my investigation. The OTHER Cherry Springs, according to locals familiar with the area, would be dry, this time of year.

I stopped at the Ruby Lakes NWR information center and asked where a person might see wild horses?

The agent is new on the job, and anxious to be helpful. She doesn't have the answers, and goes into a back office to inquire of a more experienced agent. I hear him telling her that horses won't likely be visible now, as they will have moved up into the high country where it is cooler. He says that there are wild horses to the south, and to the east of the preserve, and that they are not allowed within the boundaries of the area. (A substantial post-and- barbed wire fence encloses the entire reserve.)

The new agent relays precisely what I had overheard. I asked her if she knew whether BLM had been hauling water to horses in the area?

Oh! Yes! She knew first-hand that they have been collecting water from Ruby Lakes (probably from the fish hatchery), and carrying it to somewhere on the eastern side of the valley. She has no idea what road they were taking, or the exact location they were hauling it to.

There are no roads across the wetland, so we decided to take the northern route. We turned east on Ruby Wash Road, found a small hot spring outside the boundaries of the reserve. There was no sign of recent equine visitation to this oasis, but about a mile away, one small mudhole appeared to have had horse activity within the past few days.

We made several forays up rough roads that ended abruptly on hilltops. From the high points, we could see an abundance of game trails (made by horses, deer, and/or elk). The road became seriously dusty and difficult, so we decided to change course and look for the southern route.

It strikes me as ironic that the first sign of water shortage is purportedly along the boundaries of one of Nevada's largest wetland areas, and that no tiny corner of this water could be opened up to benefit the horses (the fences are not high enough to exclude deer, elk, or antelope).

Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Preserve is not within the jurisdiction of BLM.

Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Viewed from Cherry Springs Canyon East - Ruby Mountains

Fort Ruby

Ruby Mountains Eastern Slope
Snow remains (2011.JUL.12)

Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Refuge - Ruby Valley - Elko County, NV
Hot Spring is lower left of center - outside the refuge boundaries
No horse activity was seen around this waterhole.

Hot Spring - East of Ruby Lakes

Traveling back to the main road, we found our way to the old Pony Express Route, and followed it east. Again, we made numerous short dead-ended stabs into the back country. From the top of another ridge, we can see a network of meandering dirt roads. One of them almost certainly leads to the elusive Cherry Springs. All of them look rough and dusty.

As the shadows began to grow longer, we began to be concerned about getting back to home base before nightfall. Disappointed, we decide to head back home ... another 50 miles on rough road, along a different route.

Along the way, we found at least one location where water has obviously been hauled - no recent sign of activity around that.

Equine activity - not very recent

Typical mine well in Long Valley, with trough for animals.
This was clean, full, and there were a variety of tracks, including horse, deer, and bovine.

* MAP *

UPDATE: Cherry Creek Band (2011.JUL.07)

2011-07-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUL.07) - Northwestern Steptoe Valley

White Pine County, Nevada

It was raining HARD when I got out there.

The band moved down on the bench and just stood there in the downpour.

I decided to wait for the storm to pass - as they so quickly do in Nevada.

Soon enough, the storm was over, and they started to mill around.

Stallion got a little randy, as one of his young looked on.

Mrs. Mustang wasn't all that enthusiastic, and his advances went nowhere.

I laughed out loud as I realized the horses were drying each other's backs with their necks. Then they took turns rolling in the dirt and headed down into the flatlands.

(2011.JUN.30) - East Taylor Canyon Band - Cherry Creek MTs

2011-07-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUN.30) - East Taylor Canyon Band - Northeastern Cherry Creek Mountains, north of the old Cordano Ranch in western Steptoe Valley.

There are nine members in this band. Two of them resemble the lead mare in another band that roams a few miles to the south, near Goshute Creek.

The littlest foal appears to be a few months old.

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Blaze Of Glory: Final Days Of Freedom

2011-06-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUN.29) - Northwestern Steptoe Valley - Nevada, USA

Blaze (as I have come to call him) is a bachelor stallion that originated from a band of wild horses that have become known as the ’’Cherry Creek Nine". He was forced out about two years ago, when he had reached maturity and became a contender to the patriarchy. Still, Blaze continues to stay fairly close to his first family, though now he wanders alone, waiting his chance to start a family of his own.

The Cherry Creek Nine inhabit a narrow strip of public land in northwestern Steptoe Valley (Nevada), and they are scheduled for removal by the BLM in early July.

2011.JUN.27

His fate is grim. At four years of age, Blaze is too old to adapt well to captivity, and won't be very adoptable. He'll most likely be shipped (eventually) to a long-term holding facility in Oklahoma, to live out his days in captivity, among other geldings.

If the "gather" is "successful", Blaze will never again know freedom. Will never again follow the trail to water, that he has followed nearly every day since his birth on the open range. He will never reach his mustang potential; will never mate or sire a foal.

ARCHIVE PHOTOS OF BLAZE

2010.APR.13

Blazing Stallion 2009

2009

2008 - Just a pony, still at home with his family.
(Blaze is #3 in this parade.)

(2011.JUN.27) Goshute Creek Band of Wild Horses

2011-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUN.27) Goshute Creek Band of Wild Horses has returned to the vicinity of their normal territory, though they are still about two miles south of Goshute Creek, along the eastern bench of the Cherry Creek Mountains, and west of the fence.

The big mare (far right) is a domestic horse, due to foal the first of July.
She belongs to a tenant at the Cherry Creek Ranch, and her straying into the wild band
may have been a factor in pushing through this gather.

Wild mustard (light green and orange) has already started going to seed, and cheatgrass (brownish purple) is a major source of fuel for wildfires. Cheatgrass is a good equine food source in its early green stages, but becomes undigestible as it matures. Removing horses from this range may contribute to the risk of range fires during the next summer cycle.

(2011.JUN.25) UPDATE: Cherry Creek Band Of Nine

2011-06-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

2011.JUN.25) - Cherry Creek Band of Nine - four foals, four mares, and a stallion (all sorrels) have returned to their usual territory along the eastern bench of the Cherry Creek Mountains.

The Goshute Creek band is no longer to be seen in this small area - I would imagine they have returned to their home range to the north of Goshute Creek.

I spotted bachelor Blaze about four miles south of the CC band, east of the fence.

Most of the cattle have been gathered from the narrow strip of public land along Curry Road (WP CoRd 21), leaving a few scattered groups, for a total bovine count of about 3 dozen between Cherry Creek and Goshute Creek NV State Park.
The gate to the park (an undeveloped campsite) is open.

The newest member of the tribe arrived mid-June, 2011

Heading down to water

MORE ABOUT THIS BAND

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(2011.JUN.17) - SouthEastern Butte Mountain Bands

2011-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUN.17) - The wild bands inhabiting the eastern slopes of Butte Mountain are nearly impossible to get close to, on the ground. They graze in the open cleared areas, and shelter in the dense juniper and pinon forests above that. The old road is barely visible in places, and is littered with the corpses of long-dead tree stumps.

Most often, I see clouds of dust, and hear them interacting with one another, vocally, and physically.

Butte Mountain - 2011.JUN.17

These horses are most often observed in late afternoon, as they make their way across a narrow valley and up to the spring at Horse Canyon. They are extremely shy, and will scatter at the least disturbance to their quiet environment -- which they share seasonally with an abundance of elk, a few deer and pronghorn antelope, and periodically, transitting sheep. Cattle are fed and watered in a broad area where crested wheat grows in abundance. I see the horses along the edges of this area, occasionally, but apparently they are not interested in the wheat grass.

Butte Mountain, Nevada

Based on glimpses and physical evidence in the form of scat, trails, and rising dust, I estimate there are 50-60 wild horses in the main herd.

This is a diverse population, with a wide assortment of colors, including rare sabino roans, duns and buckskins, as well as many bays and blacks.

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Long Valley Herds (in Triple B's)

2011-06-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

(2011.JUN.23) Western Butte Mountains - Long Valley - White Pine Co., NV

The daytime temps are comfortable mid-70's up to 90 degrees, feeling cooler due to scattered cloud cover. Most of the snow is gone, and the land is beginning to show signs of summer dryness. Vegetation is plentiful, though much of it is not of benefit to horses. Cheat grass is abundant, and will provide some forage in its green stages, but becomes inedible once it matures and turns purple.

This does not mean that there is NO forage. The green we see in the photographs is not all usable forage. Much of the vegetation is wild mustard and cheatgrass. Horses do not eat wild mustard, and cheatgrass is unsuitable forage in its mature stages. There is still plenty of good grass and forage in the hills.

Triple B's Wild Horse Area (WHA) is an enormous land area, encompassing several thousand acres of undeveloped high desert and alpine terrain. Much of this is accessible with four wheel drive ONLY, and should not be attempted with any low-profile vehicle.

Travel is very slow, and approaching wild animals is a challenge, to say the least! They can see and hear approaching vehicles from miles away, and will typically move into the cover of juniper and pinon pine thickets to evade observation.

Snow-covered Ruby Mountains looking northwest across Butte Valley and the Butte Mountains
viewed from western Cherry Crrek Mountain Range

On this day, we covered a relatively small area, between the Old Stratton Ranch and Long Valley.

All tolled, we saw about one hundred horses, mostly in bands of 8-12 scattered along the western foothills of the Butte Mountain Range, and two larger herds (20-30 in each) around a spring on Mount Hamilton.

On Mount Hamilton, we caught glimpses of heads and tails, and heard much vocalizing, but few clear visuals, due to dense trees and rock formations.

Well-worn trails are evidence of high equine traffic over a long period of time.

Western Butte Mountains Foothills

Cherry Creek Mountains in the distance

Western Butte Mountains

Eat Our Dust!

Butte Valley viewed from Cherry Creek Canyon

Click Map to view LARGER
The green line is Elko-White Pine County Line

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(2012.JUN.15) -- Ely BLM Hearing on the use of motorized vehicles and aircraft to gather wild horses

2011-06-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

2012.JUN.15 - Ely, NV

There were only five attendants at the meeting (not counting BLM personnel).

Brad Harmbrook representing NDOW (NV Dept of Wildlife) read from a prepared statement about the need for, and humanity of roundups. He ran out of time before completion of his reading.

Next, Megan Brown from Nevada Cattlemen's Association. Ms. Brown could have simply picked up where Mr. Harmbrook left off, for it seemed as if they were both reading from the same paper. She read without conviction, and ran out of time.

Jeanne Nations representing her private enterprise: "Nations Horse World Wild Horse Photography Workshops" read her statement about the inhumanity of roundups. She recommended smaller gathers, and the use of food and water traps. Ms. Nations described seeing mares die from exhaustion while being pursued by helicopters, spoke of the high death toll of the Calico gather (2008). She expressed concern for the many new foals on the targeted areas.

Finally, I expressed generally the items on my written statement, including the conviction that my personal observation of roundup operations has convinced me that these methods are NOT humane, or efficient.

I stated that while I have no great objection to fixed-wing aircraft inventories (fly-overs), these are not accurate, and thus implored BLM to utilize the greater pool of information that is available to them, through individuals in the field. I stated that there is a wealth of comprehensive information about the local herds, due to the prevalence of photographers documenting them over extended periods of time. I expressed my conviction that there ARE better ways to manage wild horse populations.

The fifth person - a man with a large stack of papers - remained silent at the back of the room.

UPDATE: Cherry Creek Band Of Wild Horses (2011.JUN.13)

2011-06-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

(2/11.JUN.13)

I went out to check on the two Cherry Creek Bands that customarily make their homes along the eastern face of the Cherry Creek Mountain Range.

En route, I spotted two stallions skirmishing noisily (at first, I wasn't sure -- they might have been courting) about a quarter mile above the Curry Road, east of the fenceline, on the eastern bench of Cherry Creek Mountains.

I hoped they would be so engrossed in their frolicking, that I might be able to get close enough for a decent shot. I got out and started walking.

They continued their battle - not a very enthusastic joust, I thought - they were steadily moving south, toward town.

As I approached to within a few hundred yards, they decided I was a greater threat than either of them were, to each other. They split up and began running full tilt in opposite directions.

I am not 100% posituve, but I think this is our old friend, Blaze.

The northbound guy ran and ran. I hurried back to my vehicle and followed him parallel on the road for about a mile. He ran until he came to a group of about a dozen horses - and kept running ....

I could see that the bypassed horses were west of the fenceline, between the mountain and the fence. The sun was in my eyes, and I thought they might have been inside a smaller enclosure, so I headed up the nearest wash road, to see what I might see.

The horses above the fence bolted and ran up into the foothills, and thus I was able to ascertain that they were NOT closely confined.

A big black mare among them gives me to think they are the band that usually ranges north of Goshute Creek. I have never seen them this far down, and I suspect they have been chased. They have always been more skittish than the Cherry Creek 8, and they scrambled as soon as I got within shooting distance. I don't think they can get through the fence, and they will be trapped when the helicopters come.

The Cherry Creek Eight are now NINE, with the arrival of a new foal. As I followed the larger Goshute Creek group, this small band headed north along the bench, and I was not able to get nearer to them.

The high desert is uncharacteristically lush and green, due to unusual amounts of precipitation, this year. Most notably, mustard grass is thick and thigh high. Water in run-off washes continues to flow above normal.

There are approximately two hundred cattle scattered sparsely along the road between Cherry Creek and the Green Ranch.

UPDATE: 2011.JUN.14

I returned to the area that I had seen the two wild bands, and I watched them from the road for a short time, knowing I would not be able to get closer. Both bands were moving north at a steady, unhurried pace along the foothills of the Cherry Creek Mountains, approximtely two miles apart.

(2011.MAY.22) - Siegel Creek Band

2011-05-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

Siegel Creek, far up in the High Schells Wilderness, is inaccessible throughout most of the year. Today, we were able to cross numerous water-gorged wash-outs, with the use of a high suspension 4-wheel drive vehicle. The way is steep, and the road is deeply washed in several places.

(Not recommended to the inexperienced rough terrain driver.)

High precipitation and melting snow have produced a lush and verdant landscape, resplendent with new wildflowers. Forage is extremely plentiful, and the deciduous trees and shrubs are just beginning to show buds. Evidence of large game is abundant, though we saw only tracks and scat, as the animals have probably heard us coming slowly along the muddy trail, and taken cover. Along our two-hour tour we encountered rain, snow, sleet, hail, and finally, a few rays of sunshine as we descended back into the canyon .

Survivors of January's Antelope Complex roundup are safe in their

high country home in the Schell Creek Mountains.

Two known bands of wild horses in this isolated range are yet unaccounted for. That does not mean they are gone forever; most of the mountain remains inaccessible at this time, and stormy weather has likely driven most wildlife into the shelter of mahogany thickets and aspen groves.

Archive Photo: Bachelor Stallions of Siegel Creek (2010.AUG.22)

Come! Ride along with me on a journey that is sure to impact your perception of horses in the wild!

PhotoRover@GreatBasinLife.com

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2011.MAY.04 - Long Valley, Nevada

2011-05-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

(2011.MAY.04)

The weather is warm and clear (high 60's); roads are dry and extremely dusty in some places.
The desert floor is beginning to dry, but vegetation is plentiful in the high elevations, and stock tanks are a common sight in Long Valley. Cattle graze in small herds throughout the broad valley.

Magnificent Seven --- Ruby Mountains in the distance.
The light area at the base of the mountain is non-operating
Philips Petroleum Yankee Mine. Several wells and tanks in the valley
were placed there by mining companies for
the benefit of both domestic animals and wildlife.

Long Valley Canyon Road

Numbers on the map represent horses actually seen, and it must be understood that these are only a small percentage of actual numbers. When the weather warms, many horses will move up into the trees,

and it is simply not feasible to visit every canyon; let alone find every horse.

Antelope Complex HMA (2011.MAY.01)

2011-05-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

(2011.MAY.01)

The day was bright and crisp beneath puffy clouds, as we took a short drive along Hwy 93 from Cherry Creek north to the turn-off to the non-operational Kinsley Mine in Antelope Valley, and back into Antelope Valley.

From the highway we observed four small bands (4-6 members) of wild horses grazing along the western slope of the northern tip of the Schell Creek Range, so we decided to jump over onto the old highway that runs parallel to 93.

Becky Mountain Band

Near Boone Springs, one can usually expect to see at least two bands of horses on either side of the highway. This day, we saw only the fabulous palomino stallion.
(One should not conclude from this, that the horses are not there anymore - chances are, they were grazing on the other side.)

ANTELOPE VALLEY

The dirt road is dry and well-compacted, at least to the Elko-White Pine County line. The water hole below the mine is full, and vegetation abundant. One lonely cow and new calf are the only bovines to be seen. Two herds of about a dozen North American pronghorn antelope run in the distance.

Muddy bachelor grazing on the northwestern edge of Antelope range south of Hwy 93

Antelope Valley - Kern Mountains

Archive Photo: Antelope Valley - 2011.MAR.23

Schellbourne Pass Band Of Wild Horses

2011-04-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

(2011.APR.30)

The day is cold and overcast, with intermittent light snow flurries.

Schellbourne Pass is a high thoroughfare crossing the Schell Creek Mountains between Steptoe Valley to the west, and Spring Valley to the east, along the old Pony Express Route.

The wide, well-compacted dirt road is steep and winding, passable throughout the year, but may require 4WD or chains in winter.

A small creek runs parallel to the road, at the bottom of a very deep canyon. It feeds a series of small pools all year round.

An abundance of wildlife may be seen here, including deer, elk, and predators.

Cattle typically graze along the narrow creek banks during the summer.
Some of this land is privately owned.

One small band of wild horses ranges from one end of the canyon to another,

This band consists of one stallion, three mares, and a near-yearling colt. They are newly arrived in this canyon, and currently occupy a small territory formerly inhabited by a different band. I will continue searching for the old band, even as I am concerned they were taken in the roundup operation of January, 2011.

2011-04-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

(2011.APR.29)

A wild horse advocate recently revealed that she had united two wild horses that were calling to one another across two fences and a highway. According to her, "nature took its course" and the pining pair were "liberated"; presumably to consummate their love.

I inferred that fences had been cut in order to achieve that union. No such word was used; the assumption was mine.
Now, having been assured of that, I apologize! And I leave the rest of my statement "AS IS", as a caution to activists that might have intepreted as I did, as an example to be followed.

I am very familiar with the stretch of road described, and I happen to know that the fences there were erected, not as a BLM plot to interfere with "herd migration routes", but to prevent and protect the horses (and other wildlife) that were being killed as they ran into the path of cars traveling at 70 MPH there. Horses died, and so did people.

While I do trust that the person in question is well qualified with how to identify a wild horse (as opposed to a domestic one that might be grazing in a very large open pasture), it concerns me greatly, that other well-meaning individuals might not be so well-versed.

In Nevada, not all horses one sees along the roadside are wild. Some (most) of them belong to someone. Imagine how you might feel if someone released your dog in heat because it was "in love". Imagine how you would feel if your pet was inseminated by a rogue mongrel, or so much worse: splattered all over the highway, as the result of well-intended "kindness".
Promoting acts of destruction fuels the growing resentment of local ranchers, and might well lead to further restrictions upon public lands.

Rarely do wild horses need our "help" on the open range. Horses are capable of finding alternate routes in their own territories. Interacting with them can be dangerous.

Wild horses need our help in Congress and the courts, and our eyes in the field. On the ground, we need sensiblel and law-abiding activists capable of exercising good judgment and restraint.

(2011.APR.26) Cherry Creek Tribe

2011-04-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

(2011.APR.26)

The day is cool (high 30's - low 40's) partly sunny with occasional scattered snow flurries. Curry Road is dry dirt, well-compacted .

Runoff from melting snow runs in small washes from the high mountains down into the flat. Most of these washes will dry up in early summer. For now, water is abundant, as is new-growth grass and forage.

There are no free-ranging cattle on this area of the range, at this time. The only other large animals inhabiting this part of Steptoe Valley public lands are a herd of about a dozen antelope.

Cherry Creek Tribe consists of eight core members, including the stallion, two yearlings, one new foal and four mares, (one appears pregnant); plus three satellite bachelors. All members of this band are sorrel with white stars or blaze faces. A few have lighter-colored manes.

Young bachelors, no longer welcome in their famiy of origin, keep one another company until they find mates. These guys are bout two years old.

"BLAZE" is approximately four years old, and has been on
his own for the past few years. As he is reaching his prime, I expect
that soon he will have a harem of his own. Preferrably, his mates will
come from a different band than the one he was born into.

(2011.APR.22)

http://www.grassrootshorse.com/

2010.APR.24 - Wild Horses Of Butte Valley

2011-04-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

2010.APR.24

Today's weather is cool (low to mid-40's), overcast and foggy with intermittent sleet. Creeks and watersheds are high, due to melting snow. Roads are generally dry and deeply rutted in some places, from winter traffic to and from mine sites in Butte Valley. Low-profile vehicle NOT recommended.

New grass is plentiful on the high desert. Small herds of cattle are visible throughout the valley; most notably about a dozen head are grazing around the base of the ore dump at the U.S. Gold mine.

Butte Valley Group 1 (pending rename) today consisted of a black stallion, a large buckskin mare with buckskin foal, bay mare with bay foal, and two young bays of indeterminate gender (probably mares). All members of this group appeared vital and healthy. Both foals are probably two or three weeks old. The bay is smaller of the two.

Red Butte Band

Lone Sorrel Stallion - could be from either herd

The Black Mountain band consists of six members including the big bay stallion, three mares, and a foal that appears to be several months old.

Black Mountain Band

Providence

2011-04-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

If you notice my activities via Facebook, then you know that my old Canon Rebel xT died of unknown causes while I was guiding wildlife biologist, Craig Downer, on a rambling tour of wild horse country, April 10.

Followed a series of "coincidences" which culminated in the provision of a new Canon T2i, from the generous hand of Maureen Lynch Vanderstad of Grassrootshorse.com and an agreement to provide the organization with documentary photos of the wild horse herds that I traditionally follow, anyway. The principle difference now being that my documentary wild horse photos will henceforth be dedicated to GRH FIRST.

In keeping with my commitment to advance the cause of improving the public's awareness and understanding of ACTUAL conditions on the range, I will publish my photos and documentation here, and leave it to the dedicated advocates at GRH herd watch to organize and present them in a system that makes sense.

Bands that I follow on a regular basis include:

Cherry Creek (Steptoe Valley)
Butte Valley
Antelope Complex

New areas will also include the Medicine and Maverick ranges.

Please stay tuned!

The Miracle Of Spring: Orphan Mustang

2011-02-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

2009.JUN.19 —

Yesterday afternoon, my friend, Glenys, and I set out to test my new lens.

We were going to go south, to a certain place where we thought there might be deer or elk grazing. As we came up to the turn-off, I said, “What about going to the spring below Becky Peak, instead?” (There are usually some wild horses around there.) She was all for it, so instead of turning right, we went straight, then cut across the main highway and drove north along the parallel seldom-traveled old highway.

At the spring, we were disappointed to see no recent sign of horses, so we amused ourselves with wildflower macro, instead. I walked up around the oasis to try for afternoon backlight. My friend went the other direction, so the spring and all its vegetation was now between us.

Suddenly, I heard a horse nicker and snort. Then, I heard Glenys exclaiming and urging me to come quickly. I feared she was face-to-face with a mad stallion. As I made my way around the waterhole and through some high brush, I stepped out in the clearing to see her standing about 50 feet from a mustang colt. They were having a conversation, but the baby was not letting her get close to it …...

Spring: Day One (2009.JUN.18)

We soon realized that the foal was abandoned and starving. It had multiple injuries, apparently the results of a cougar attack. Miracle of marvels: The tiny foal – just a few days old – had somehow survived … but she was so severely injured, the herd had left her for Nature to finish the job. Such is the way of the wilderness.

Spring: Day One (2009.JUN.18)

There was little discussion on the matter; as the little one went off down the hillside, we got back into my pickup and headed straight for home, and to the one person we knew would do something to help this poor baby: our neighbor, Ray. A horse whisperer, of sorts, Ray already has one mustang orphan, and his success with her has been phenomenal. When I told him about the orphan, he replied without hesitation, “Let’s go get it!”

It took us a couple of hours to make all the preparations hitching up a horse trailer, finding some tack, then getting all the way back over to the spring. I was afraid we would be too late. The sun was sinking. My shooting buddy, who is still recovering from recent surgery, had become exhausted by the day’s events, and reluctantly decided not to go back with us, so it would just be Ray and me, on this mission of mercy. She said to me quietly, “Tell Ray it’s name is Spring.”

Before we got to the location, we spotted the foal above us on the hillside. A herd of wild horses was approaching, but quickly did an about-face when they saw us. Little Bit continued munching on grass, not really paying much heed to the two of us, as we slowly approached her.

She didn’t run, but bolted and trotted a short distance each time we got too close. Ray started trying to lasso her, cowboy style – but the rope was too soft, and would not make a loop wide enough to encircle the horse’s head. Success finally came when I caught the colt’s attention by talking to it, while Ray reached out and grabbed her by her fuzzy little tail. He held her from behind, while I slipped the rope around her neck.

She didn’t like being restrained, but Ray is very wise in the ways of horses, and he allowed her to “lead us” – him on one side, I on the other, just behind her withers.

Soon, we were back to the truck, and ready to try and load her into the trailer. He had tossed in a flake of hay, and she was so hungry, she went most of the way in, then balked. He got her front half tethered inside, while I pushed from behind.

Success!

Little girl was so hungry, she went for the hay, and drank a bit of water that I brought over from the spring. When she was calm, we drove back to Cherry Creek. I’m sure it was a frightening experience for the horse, but there was no other way.

The sun had set, and as we drove away from the watering hole, I heard the howling of many coyotes nearby. I know that had we not done what we did, when we did it, the little one would not have lived to see the sunrise. Those predators would have taken her down.

Ray dressed her wounds, and we put a couple of horse blankets on the floor of the trailer for Spring to lie on. That was all we could do for the day. She would spend the night there, safe and snug. In the morning, he would go to town for milk supplements and pennicilin, and then make a stop at the local BLM office to start the paperwork on Spring’s adoption. There will be no complications with the bureaucracy; he is already on their list for mustang orphan adoption …...

I don’t believe in “random luck”. I find nothing “accidental” in the impulsive decision that lead my friend and me to turn north, instead of south, at the precise time that we did.

Spring had survived a vicious mountain lion attack, and would undoubtedly have perished by the violence of coyotes, or starvation, had we not come to the place we did, at exactly the time that we did.

Somebody has big plans for little Spring. I am blessed to have had a part in her rescue! (I only regret there are no photographs of the rescue process. I kind of had my hands full with horse-wrangling. ;D)

Spring: Day Ten (2009.JUN.28)

Spring: Day Twenty (2009.JUL.08)

Spring’s RedBubble Album:
The Miracle Of Spring

Five Weeks Later

UPDATE See Spring GO!

UPDATE: Eleven Weeks

Mustang Milestone: The Freeze Brand

(2009.AUG.17)

UPDATE: Twenty Weeks

UPDATE: Spring’s First Taste Of Winter

(2009.DEC.13 – Six Months)

UPDATE: ‘Helping Papa Ray’

(2010.MAR.22 – Nine Months)

UPDATE: Scramble!

(2010.APR.07)

UPDATE: Happy Birthday, Spring!

(2010.JUN.20)

Please support the
American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign

A Call For Reason

2011-02-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

My dear wild horse advocates:

I love you dearly. I post links to your statements daily - sometimes several in a day .... and now, I have to tell you that my enthusiasm for SOME aspects of this issue is beginning to flag.

Like you, I have serious concerns about the way the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program is being conducted. I, too, have had strong reactions to the video footage of horses being overrun, pursued to exhaustion, and terrorized by a rogue pilot -- all under the approving eyes of BLM officials.

Unlike most of you, I have attended some roundups in person. I have not personally witnessed any of the extreme circumstances documented on recent releases. I have, nonetheless, seen horses run too far, too fast, and I have seen one Department of Agriculture airplane hazing wild horses in the vicinity of the Antelope Complex gather operations.

I can tell you that this style of "wildlife management" would not be tolerated with regard to any other species. No pursuit of elk, deer, or antelope would be allowed to follow such a course. I can assure you that cattle, sheep, or domestic horses would NEVER be forced to run at these speeds, or for such distances.

It's not for any lack of sincerity on your part; but rather your increasing exaggerations and drama that turns prospective supporters into critics.

Many of us who live in the midst of wild horse country truly want to support these movements; however being very familiar with the subject, we are often loathe to be associated with fanatics who would "put sweaters on polar bears": Those who propose outlandish "solutions" so far beyond the scope of reality as to border on science fiction. These bizarre and unattainable goals weaken, rather than stengthen, efforts to get this juggernaut under control.

There are proposals to close the range to cattle and sheep, and (seriously misinformed) individuals who believe that all mining should be banned. People that seem never to pause and consider the many thousands of human beings whose lives would be affected, should these fantastical ideas come to implementation.
To the people of rural Nevada who live on the land and know its ways, these radical ideas are enough to stop most from even getting involved.

When you cry out in sympathy for the pain of horses held overnight in "unsheltered pens", those familiar with wild herds tend to be shake their heads. Wild horses are well adapted to their environment and its climate. What kind of "shelter" do you think they ordinarily find on the open range?

The hazard, of course, is that if they come in WET - lathered from great exertion - their resistance to the cold may be diminished - this major point often being omitted from advocate complaints.

When I hear empassioned laments about splitting up equine families, I find it sad -- and I ALSO understand that separations occur naturally on the range. Colts grow up to be stallions. Young adult males are violently driven out of their family groups -- by their fathers. Stallions engage in physical combat for mares, and to the victor goes the spoils - the fillies and the mares move into new families. Equine bands are constantly being rearranged - and not very gently, I will have you know. This is nature's way, and it is what keeps the gene pools viable. Humans may not have the right to make these choices for the horses, but let's not pretend that it wouldn't happen in the natural environment. If you own a dog or cat, chances are that, too was "ripped away from its mother's breast and the bosom of its family".

I am not suggesting an abandonment of ideals and enthusiasm. I urge you to understand that the people of rural Nevada might be more inclined to support your efforts when the rhetoric and hyperdrama are dialed down a bit, and when advocates begin to address us with more respect. We are not without misconceptions, but most of us THINK we know a lot more about our own region than urbanites intent upon turning our wild lands into a ponies' pettng zoo.

We don't think you have the right - or the knowledge - to tell us how to manage our own land.

Over the course of the last few years, I have had the opportunity to follow a few individual wild bands. This observation has changed my opinion about how the herds ought to be managed. Very few people are similarly blessed.

Understand that BLM personnel rarely have such an opportunity. They are trained and taught to believe a certain way, and they are sincerely convinced that BLM policy is the best way to manage Nevada's public lands. They are not horse haters, nor soulless and evil; they are misinformed; just as many on the opposite end of the argument are also unqualified to determine Nevada's public lands policies.

The reality is: The voters of this state will ultimately determine the fate of OUR public lands, and the horses that reside upon them. If you want your efforts to become effective, it behooves you to make friends of the natives, rather than continuing to make statements that only serve to alienate them.

The majority of Nevadans (in this part of the state, at least) do not think very highly of the Bureau of Land Management, or its policies. To most, the BLM is populated by a bunch of educated idiots who know very little about the lands and animals they regulate, and who habitually waste our tax dollars on ridiculous projects. It is the general opinion that the top policy-makers are in the pockets of large corporations and powerful politicians ... and YET; a majority of Nevadans probably still believe that wild horse herds need to be periodically culled. Some of them remember seeing starving horses, and many more have heard the tale. It happened in the past, and could happen again.

The reality is that herds do need to be managed. People need to be presented with a workable proposal for accomplishing that ... such as each district being responsible for its own herd management, and instead of sweeping and extravagantly expensive roundups every few years, there can be ONGOING operations to keep the herds in good condition. Livestock and wild horses have co-habited on these rangelands for hundreds of years, along with an abundance of other wildlife. And PEOPLE. (Urban expansion does not appear to be much of an issue at this time.

There must be an attainable, sustainable solution that can be accomplished without cruelty or decimation of the economy of the state. Let's talk!

Antelope Complex WHMA Wild Horse Gather (JAN-FEB 2011 - NV)

2011-02-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

Antelope Complex WHMA Wild Horse Gather
(Please click to read editorial)

(2011.JAN.13) GOD BLESS FACEBOOK!

2011-01-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

GOD BLESS FACEBOOK!

Forty years ago, give or take a couple, I left home, met and married a young marine newly home from Vietnam. I was 17; Bob was 23.

After being laid off from a couple of jobs, including a stint as landscaper at the new McCulloch development called Spring Creek, we moved to McGill, where Bob was hired to work at Kennecott foundry.

Bob played drums for a couple of small local bands, including at least one gig with a high school garage band that called themselves St. Elmo’s Fire. (Not to be confused with the FAMOUS one-hit wonder, St. Elmo’s Fire that came later.)

We partied a lot. Those times are hazy in my memory, and I have a lot of blank spots there. After my young husband had been injured and hospitalized in a series of freak on-the-job accidents (probably drug-related), the lonely young wife had oft been called upon by his “friends”, all offering their “support”. (Jackals.)

One day, whether in a flash of clarity, or Divine Intervention; I looked around to realize that I had been married for three years, and was now living but five town blocks from the childhood home I could not wait to escape. My husband, I believed, was destined for a life cut short by drug abuse, or a long one spent in prison. All my dreams were quite literally going up in smoke.

Thus began my 30-year journey that criss-crossed the continent many times before concluding right back where it had all started: Cherry Creek, Nevada.

...............

Meanwhile … one of the musicians in that little band .... joined the Navy, saw the world, and became a successful composer and music producer in Memphis, Tennessee.

Ten years after I have come home to roost, a music producer from Memphis has contacted me with the prospect of creating a musical video around my images of the wild country he so misses … Coming soon to a Tube near U!

GOD BLESS FACEBOOK!

(2011.JAN.12)

2011-01-12T13:05:00.001-08:00

Break Of Day

(2011.JAN.10) - Dragonfly Dreams

2011-01-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Today's messenger came in the form of a visual, rather than physical presence. I came across the images of dragonflies taken while on a visit to Warm Creek in the summer of 2009.

I enjoy chasing dragonflies, and I find them among the most challenging of insects to photograph. Before photography, I never really paid attention to the wide diversity of colors and body types among dragonflies.

Now, as for the "message"; the past couple of days, I have been in a state of consternation, since the discovery that a few of my images have been "borrowed" by someone I know well. We shoot together quite often, so I think that I must have emailed them to her, and they got mixed up with her photos from the same outings. My filing system would never allow such a mistake to happen, but apparently, my system is not universal.

I'm 98% certain that this is an accidental borrowing, and not particularly important, given that those few images are not among my best. Are, in fact, somewhere on the lower fringe of mediocre. It's just .... unsettling, in a way.

An accident like that can't really happen again, since these days, I only email images with my watermark on them, and in December, began including my signature on finished works.

So .... do I mention these ... accidents?
Or simply hush and hope there isn't anything malicious in the intent.

As a creature of the wind, the dragonlfy totem represents change. It's iridescent wings are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze, and so we are reminded to heed where the proverbial wind blows - lest we run into stormy weather.

Dragonflies are also creatures of the water, and any creature whose habitat is in, or around water carries symbolism relative the the subconscious, or "dreaming" mind and thoughts.

This is because in the animal world, water is symbolic of the subconscious mind ("deeper mind," "dreaming mind") and relates to the thoughts we have in relaxed/meditative/sleeping/subconscious states

(2011.JAN.08) Ojo de Dios

2011-01-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

There are days when .... it's just nice to look up and suppose that Somebody may be watching .... affectionately, and with a kinder point of view.

There is something about Nevada skies that, no matter how blue I may feel, lifts my spirits and reminds me how fleeting are the days, and little storms that ripple the quiet sky.

"This, too, shall pass." - Chinese Proverb

(2011.JAN.07) Like Attracts Like

2011-01-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

7“Our minds become magnetized with the dominating thoughts we hold in our minds and
these magnets attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize
with the nature of our dominating thoughts.” -- Napoleon Hill

Black-tailed Jackrabbit - Cherry Creek, Nevada – USA
(2011.JAN.07)

(2011.JAN.06) Three Rabbits

2011-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

The first thing I saw today, was this little fellow browsing for stickers outside my window. Mocha brought it to my attention, and we quietly watched for several minutes. Rabbit felt us watching, but continued eating.

The medicine of Rabbit is "Fear". Rabbit calls to itself, the things that rabbit fears most. To put that into New Age speak; "That which we concentrate upon, is drawn to us." All negative thoughts are born from fear.

I took several photos. Intentionally, some contained the shadow; some were framed to exclude it. It wasn't until I opened the files to edit them, that I noticed the small animus - a leaping lepus - sandwiched between the physical rabbit and its shadow.

Today's messenger is telling me to be mindful of my thoughts, for the vibrations upon which I dwell, will dwell in me - and multiply like rabbits!

Portends & Omens: Badger Medicine

2010-12-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

Early this morning Mocha awakened me with much excited squriming. Then I saw that ALL of the outside lights were on. Went out to see what it had set off the motion detectors.

Once outside, Mocha headed off to the eastern side of the house. I heard hissing. I figured it was a cat, so I called my girl and we went inside.

It sounded like something was stirring around on the lower roof. I went upstairs to see if I could see it from inside. Nothing to see.

Before I got back to sleep there was more ruckus ... this time on the southwest corner of the house (Mocha's yard). Sounded like digging under the house, where there is a hollow place already.

I went out again, intending to put down some catfood ... and LO! it was a big ol' BADGER. It ran around the perimeter of the fence, and finding no exit but the one I was blocking, it began backing up.

Very excited, I closed the gate and ran to grab my camera (even while knowing I can't get the shot in that light).

By the time I got back, the intruder was nowhere to be seen. By now, I was so exhilarated with the prospect of capturing a badger on film, I decided to do a little research .... just in case he might show up again.

Google: "badger Native American"

***

Now, mind you, I do not pretend to be a follower of Native American Ways. Nature-based lore has become a part of my internal process, more Jungian than religious.

Much more to follow ....

http://www.drstandley.com/animalmedicine_badger.shtml

2010-12-30T22:15:00.000-08:00

On The Eve of New Year's Eve (2010)

2010-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

Inspired ...

With a new year upon us ... and an ELEVEN year, at that; I resolve (AGAIN) to maintain a blog. (While hoping that it doesn't become redundant, as practically everything that happens around me is chronicled on Facebook and/or RedBubble.)
.
Having reached a certain level of confidence in my photography skill set, and an increasing awareness of the ephemeral nature of Life, I am now motivated to explore, expand, and express myself more literally.

Those who know me through my photography may feel they know quite a lot. Perhaps ....