Today, Chuck and I decided to venture out again to visit Showmane and his band. It’s been a few weeks since we were able to visit and I wonder how his mares are doing. Did Millie, the blue roan have her foal yet? Is Ember growing nicely? I was excited, but it took us a while to figure out where they were. We tried to go up to Look Out Mountain first. It was a long ride up to the top, almost 3 hours; but once we were there, we could see quite a bit of Painted Island.
The Shadow Forest off to the left was thick and deep, hiding all kinds of secrets; I’d imagine. Named for its tall trees that cast large shadows across its floor, the Shadow Forest is a favorite place for the Mustangs to take shelter during the hot summer days. It holds mineral deposits and bits of snow that melt slowly because it rarely sees direct sunlight, giving the horses a reserve to cool down or eat when they are desperate.
Off to the right was the thicker, darker forest and mountains, called Avalanche Range. The mountains are nearly always covered with at least some snow and the forest is so thick, the horses don’t venture there often. That is, unless they are trying to get to the Overlook. I know I have seen a mountain lion or two trailing the edge of the forest in the past, so my guess is that that is the reason why. The mountain lion is the only real predator around for the Mustangs. They are quiet and effective hunters so the Mustangs must be vigilant in watching out for them. The Overlook can give the horses a secluded place to spend their time, once they are there. It is high above the valley with rocks around the edges of the clearing. Open for the sun and large enough for the foals to run, it gives a lovely spot for when the horses need a break from other horses. The old man that lived here before told me that he had never seen more than one band here at a time; making me wonder if there was a hierarchy of some kind.
In the middle was the vast valley made up of small hills and open ground for the horses and foals to run and graze. With some areas covered in tall grasses and others with well-worn ground, it was a great area to view and photograph the horses. There were a few sporadic trees and bushes throughout that must have sprung up from the forests, carried by the wind or birds. They offered bits of shade for the foals to rest or play in and gave me a great place to view and learn about the interactions that the bands have with each other.
While looking around across the land, we noted a bachelor band over towards the overlook. The band was made up of several horses of varying colors, but one in particular caught my eye. It was an overo painted seal brown colt of decent stature and size. It was hard to make out what his approximate age was, but he stood out and I hoped to be able to get a closer look at him soon. The bachelors were clearly just enjoying life, playing and practicing their fighting skills that they would need when they are older to win a mare.
Panning over to the valley, I saw Showmane and his band. All of the mares were accounted for except Millie. I didn’t see her anywhere around. Had she gone to have her foal or did he lose her to another stallion? Chuck and I quickly began the long trek down the mountain and towards the band. Before we left the mountain top, though, I smiled as Ember was being her normal energetic self, trying to get the light dun filly to play with her. I looked up at the sky while Boron and I followed Chuck and Strix; it was such a lovely shade of blue that day with very few clouds anywhere in sight. “Today is going to be a good day.” I thought to myself. I was hoping that by the time we got down to the valley, Millie would show up with her little foal.
Four hours later, we finally found the band. Grazing not far from where we saw them. Showmane saw us; he looked at us carefully for a few moments until he put his head back down to grab a mouthful of grass. The young Nightshade was always by his side. I wasn’t sure which his lead mare, Millie or Nightshade was yet, but Nightshade definitely had a bond with him. Ember explored a little ways away from her mother for a bit before returning and nursing. She was growing quickly. Now close to 2 months old, she was beginning to thicken up a bit. Her long legs were giving her more speed to run, which it was clear she loved to do. The two year old light dun named Goldie was the closest thing Ember had to playmate and she did her best to encourage her to play; nipping and neighing to her, as if to say “come on, come get me!” She was a cutie. Her coat was deepening too, already a beautiful hue of amber red.
Nightshade saw us too, looking at her stallion and seeing that he was not unsure of us, she grazed and allowed Ember to run about. Her body had thinned down a bit since the birth of Ember. I was sure she was pregnant, but she certainly wasn’t showing it yet. I could have watched them for days as they groomed each other; until a band of bachelors interrupted their relaxation.
The bachelor band was not the same one we saw on the Overlook. This band had a large mature black bachelor named Wildheart. He was a bold colt heavy set for his age and gearing up to claim a mare of his own. Showmane began to grow unsettled as the bachelors moved closer. He stomped his feet in disapproval but when they approached him, he gave the first one a swift kick with his rear legs. Wildheart approached, holding his head high, his nostrils flaring and his chest out proud. He too pawed at the ground. It was clear; he wouldn’t back down as easily as the first bachelor. Showmane, heavy set himself, grunted and backed up to Wildheart before kicking forcefully and landing a solid blow to the chest and shoulder. Wildheart reared and kicked back; Showmane turned and reared, kicking and biting at him. As the two horses landed back down, Showmane was able to get a bite on Wildheart, causing him to turn and run. Showmane chased after him and the other bachelors over the nearby hill before returning back to his band. He snaked his family together away from the bachelors before stopping at the top of a hill and watching the bachelors from a far. He looked around, making sure no other horses were around, but Wildheart wasn’t giving up quickly. He too stood atop a distant hill, watching Showmane and the band. The two horses matched glances for a moment before Showmane turned to the band and snaked them further away. For now, it seemed the disagreement had been settled, but something told me that it wouldn’t be the last time I saw that bold bachelor.
We followed the band from afar; capturing the little moments between the members. As they walked, Nightshade took the lead with Ember close behind. To get separated would have been death for the filly. Goldie was right behind Ember and Showmane not far behind her. From time to time, I watched as he raised his nose to sky, he was sniffing the air and could tell that Goldie was beginning to go into heat. This would make things a bit tougher for him and more likely that other stallions and bachelors would be challenging him. I knew where he wanted to go; the Overlook. It was secluded enough to give them some privacy, but what he didn’t know was that there was already a bachelor band there; waiting for just such an opportunity. The band stopped though at the edge of the forest. They were waiting for Millie. They had to be. She must have been close by, but why would she choose such a dangerous place? Surely there must have been a better place to give birth; further away from the forest.
After about an hour or so, Millie appeared; but she was alone and still pregnant. Where had she been if she wasn’t giving birth? Why would she separate herself from the protection of the band? But then, I saw the reason. Showmane had lost her to another band stallion. He was a taller blue roan with only one other mare. Showmane was clearly excited to see her and quickly made his way over to her. She greeted him, nibbling his face, but the other stallion quickly moved over to break up the happy reunion. Despite having lost her once, Showmane was determined not to lose her again. He stood up to the tall stallion, as they pushed each other around by shear force before the confrontation came to blows. Showmane reared and kicked at the stallion, then turned and bit him on the chest. The stallion kicked back and got Showmane pretty good on the left side. Then the stallion turned and ran. Showmane followed close behind; biting again and again. The stallion tried turning back for the mares, but Showmane was too determined and forced him to leave them behind. Once out of view, Showmane stopped the pursuit of the stallion and came back to his family.
Nightshade was happy to have Millie back as she greeted and groomed her face. Goldie was interested in the new mare. A blue roan three year old, named Iris. She was a quiet and slightly timid girl. Looking closely at Millie as Goldie approached. Millie must have befriended the mare while away with the stallion and now, Iris looked to the older Millie for reassurance. She called to Iris to relax and Ember confidently returned to Nightshade’s side and clacked her teeth for attention. I laughed. She was a jealous little girl, but Millie turned and nuzzled the filly as if to say, “I missed you too.”
The sun was beginning its descent and that was our queue to head home. It was a few hours walk from where we were and Chuck didn’t think we would make it home before dark. To add to the threat of darkness, a fog began to rise and there were storm clouds moving in quickly. We began to make our way home as I said good bye to the band. Millie watched as we left, I waved to her and told her I would see her again soon. Chuck was insisting that we travel quickly. I wasn’t sure we were going to get anywhere close to home before the rain began and I was right…
The Shadow Forest off to the left was thick and deep, hiding all kinds of secrets; I’d imagine. Named for its tall trees that cast large shadows across its floor, the Shadow Forest is a favorite place for the Mustangs to take shelter during the hot summer days. It holds mineral deposits and bits of snow that melt slowly because it rarely sees direct sunlight, giving the horses a reserve to cool down or eat when they are desperate.
Off to the right was the thicker, darker forest and mountains, called Avalanche Range. The mountains are nearly always covered with at least some snow and the forest is so thick, the horses don’t venture there often. That is, unless they are trying to get to the Overlook. I know I have seen a mountain lion or two trailing the edge of the forest in the past, so my guess is that that is the reason why. The mountain lion is the only real predator around for the Mustangs. They are quiet and effective hunters so the Mustangs must be vigilant in watching out for them. The Overlook can give the horses a secluded place to spend their time, once they are there. It is high above the valley with rocks around the edges of the clearing. Open for the sun and large enough for the foals to run, it gives a lovely spot for when the horses need a break from other horses. The old man that lived here before told me that he had never seen more than one band here at a time; making me wonder if there was a hierarchy of some kind.
In the middle was the vast valley made up of small hills and open ground for the horses and foals to run and graze. With some areas covered in tall grasses and others with well-worn ground, it was a great area to view and photograph the horses. There were a few sporadic trees and bushes throughout that must have sprung up from the forests, carried by the wind or birds. They offered bits of shade for the foals to rest or play in and gave me a great place to view and learn about the interactions that the bands have with each other.
While looking around across the land, we noted a bachelor band over towards the overlook. The band was made up of several horses of varying colors, but one in particular caught my eye. It was an overo painted seal brown colt of decent stature and size. It was hard to make out what his approximate age was, but he stood out and I hoped to be able to get a closer look at him soon. The bachelors were clearly just enjoying life, playing and practicing their fighting skills that they would need when they are older to win a mare.
Panning over to the valley, I saw Showmane and his band. All of the mares were accounted for except Millie. I didn’t see her anywhere around. Had she gone to have her foal or did he lose her to another stallion? Chuck and I quickly began the long trek down the mountain and towards the band. Before we left the mountain top, though, I smiled as Ember was being her normal energetic self, trying to get the light dun filly to play with her. I looked up at the sky while Boron and I followed Chuck and Strix; it was such a lovely shade of blue that day with very few clouds anywhere in sight. “Today is going to be a good day.” I thought to myself. I was hoping that by the time we got down to the valley, Millie would show up with her little foal.
Four hours later, we finally found the band. Grazing not far from where we saw them. Showmane saw us; he looked at us carefully for a few moments until he put his head back down to grab a mouthful of grass. The young Nightshade was always by his side. I wasn’t sure which his lead mare, Millie or Nightshade was yet, but Nightshade definitely had a bond with him. Ember explored a little ways away from her mother for a bit before returning and nursing. She was growing quickly. Now close to 2 months old, she was beginning to thicken up a bit. Her long legs were giving her more speed to run, which it was clear she loved to do. The two year old light dun named Goldie was the closest thing Ember had to playmate and she did her best to encourage her to play; nipping and neighing to her, as if to say “come on, come get me!” She was a cutie. Her coat was deepening too, already a beautiful hue of amber red.
Nightshade saw us too, looking at her stallion and seeing that he was not unsure of us, she grazed and allowed Ember to run about. Her body had thinned down a bit since the birth of Ember. I was sure she was pregnant, but she certainly wasn’t showing it yet. I could have watched them for days as they groomed each other; until a band of bachelors interrupted their relaxation.
The bachelor band was not the same one we saw on the Overlook. This band had a large mature black bachelor named Wildheart. He was a bold colt heavy set for his age and gearing up to claim a mare of his own. Showmane began to grow unsettled as the bachelors moved closer. He stomped his feet in disapproval but when they approached him, he gave the first one a swift kick with his rear legs. Wildheart approached, holding his head high, his nostrils flaring and his chest out proud. He too pawed at the ground. It was clear; he wouldn’t back down as easily as the first bachelor. Showmane, heavy set himself, grunted and backed up to Wildheart before kicking forcefully and landing a solid blow to the chest and shoulder. Wildheart reared and kicked back; Showmane turned and reared, kicking and biting at him. As the two horses landed back down, Showmane was able to get a bite on Wildheart, causing him to turn and run. Showmane chased after him and the other bachelors over the nearby hill before returning back to his band. He snaked his family together away from the bachelors before stopping at the top of a hill and watching the bachelors from a far. He looked around, making sure no other horses were around, but Wildheart wasn’t giving up quickly. He too stood atop a distant hill, watching Showmane and the band. The two horses matched glances for a moment before Showmane turned to the band and snaked them further away. For now, it seemed the disagreement had been settled, but something told me that it wouldn’t be the last time I saw that bold bachelor.
We followed the band from afar; capturing the little moments between the members. As they walked, Nightshade took the lead with Ember close behind. To get separated would have been death for the filly. Goldie was right behind Ember and Showmane not far behind her. From time to time, I watched as he raised his nose to sky, he was sniffing the air and could tell that Goldie was beginning to go into heat. This would make things a bit tougher for him and more likely that other stallions and bachelors would be challenging him. I knew where he wanted to go; the Overlook. It was secluded enough to give them some privacy, but what he didn’t know was that there was already a bachelor band there; waiting for just such an opportunity. The band stopped though at the edge of the forest. They were waiting for Millie. They had to be. She must have been close by, but why would she choose such a dangerous place? Surely there must have been a better place to give birth; further away from the forest.
After about an hour or so, Millie appeared; but she was alone and still pregnant. Where had she been if she wasn’t giving birth? Why would she separate herself from the protection of the band? But then, I saw the reason. Showmane had lost her to another band stallion. He was a taller blue roan with only one other mare. Showmane was clearly excited to see her and quickly made his way over to her. She greeted him, nibbling his face, but the other stallion quickly moved over to break up the happy reunion. Despite having lost her once, Showmane was determined not to lose her again. He stood up to the tall stallion, as they pushed each other around by shear force before the confrontation came to blows. Showmane reared and kicked at the stallion, then turned and bit him on the chest. The stallion kicked back and got Showmane pretty good on the left side. Then the stallion turned and ran. Showmane followed close behind; biting again and again. The stallion tried turning back for the mares, but Showmane was too determined and forced him to leave them behind. Once out of view, Showmane stopped the pursuit of the stallion and came back to his family.
Nightshade was happy to have Millie back as she greeted and groomed her face. Goldie was interested in the new mare. A blue roan three year old, named Iris. She was a quiet and slightly timid girl. Looking closely at Millie as Goldie approached. Millie must have befriended the mare while away with the stallion and now, Iris looked to the older Millie for reassurance. She called to Iris to relax and Ember confidently returned to Nightshade’s side and clacked her teeth for attention. I laughed. She was a jealous little girl, but Millie turned and nuzzled the filly as if to say, “I missed you too.”
The sun was beginning its descent and that was our queue to head home. It was a few hours walk from where we were and Chuck didn’t think we would make it home before dark. To add to the threat of darkness, a fog began to rise and there were storm clouds moving in quickly. We began to make our way home as I said good bye to the band. Millie watched as we left, I waved to her and told her I would see her again soon. Chuck was insisting that we travel quickly. I wasn’t sure we were going to get anywhere close to home before the rain began and I was right…