The Triumphant Return Of Blaze

(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

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

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.JUL.20) Day One - Triple B Gather

(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.

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

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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Long Valley Herds (in Triple B's)

(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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Schellbourne Pass Band Of Wild Horses

(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.