Wild horse haven

Summer home

I have in past posts mentioned that in the heat of summer the wild horses can be harder to find, as they do what I call tree up.  In doing this, they pick areas that have dense forest, good grazing close by and water.  These locations are usually in isolated valleys and the muskeg bottoms.  In doing so they also can, some what, escape the onslaught of annoying and biting insects and the heat of the high summer sun.

This year has not been as severe for heat or insects and therefore some of the herds have found the open clearcuts a place to graze.  Here the wind will keep the insects at bay and also cool the horses.  Still many herds out of instinct will continue to go into their summer havens.

Open clearing grazing

Covered in mud

Relief from the summer winds

It was this past weekend that my friend Fran and I were out for the weekend riding our two young horses, Magnum and Whiskey.  We were riding some of the trails west of Sundre, in an area I knew where to find some of the herds in order to check on them and take photographs.  It has been a lot drier year in the west country than out here near Olds.  Thus a lot of the marshy areas are drier and this make access on some trails easier.  We had come across two herds and it was great to see that all the horses were strong and sleek.  The foals from this year are growing rapidly and also looking fit and ready for the hardships of the seasons yet to come.  

Headed for safety

Over the years that I have travelled wild horse country on horseback or vehicle, I have often wondered where some of the herds I know find these summer havens.  As we moved along one trail, Fran pointed out a well used horse trail that headed off through the thick pines.  It was such a gorgeous day and we were in no hurry and going no place in particular.  We decided to see where this trail may lead us.  As we followed further into the trees other game and horse trails merged with it and it became a well worn, wide trail and just perfect to ride along.  The amount of horse sign increased dramatically the further we got back into this one valley.  Then as we came out of the trees, we were in a beautiful meadow with a stream running through it.  Ahead lay a vast muskeg area shimmering with the reflection of the summer sun on the long grass.  The trail, as with most game trails skirted along the side of the meadow, just inside the tree line.  We could tell that if it had been a normal year, we would have had difficulty, but because it was so dry we were able to carry on.

Peek a boo

Safety in the pines

Then rounding a bend, we spotted some horses in an opening. I dismounted and took out my camera to take some pictures.  All of sudden my heart raced, for there standing looking at me was “The Ghost”.  An elusive, large buckskin stallion, that I had always admired and usually only got glimpses of.  He is a wise one, because all year he keeps his herd close to the muskegs and away from trail and roads where us humans can bother him.  I was just elated at seeing an old friend and took many photographs before he snorted his warning, threw his head and then was off, chasing his herd in front of him and away to the safety of the pines.

The Ghost

One last warning blow

Back on horseback we followed the trail further back into the large valley until, on our horses we could go no further because of the muskeg.  The wild horse trail kept going along the side of it and into the heavier trees.  Adapted to their habitat, the wild horses have a much broader hoof and when they go through soft terrain, they do it at a good speed and lifting their legs high.  Watching them move through this marshy ground it appears that they barely touch the ground as they quickly go over it. 

Curious

There were a good number of other horses in the valley and although I could not get a picture of him, here I also found “Scarface” with his herd.  He was another stallion I knew well but had not seen in two years.  What a day! Soon though the horses will adapt to their fall season routines as they prepare for the harshness of the winter yet to come.  Before then though I plan a few more rides into “A Wild Horse Valley” to explore some more and to photograph the wild horses that inhabit it now.  I can hardly wait to witness the beauty of this landscape and the wild horses that inhabit it, in the brilliant colors of fall.

Just another note on the WHOAS 2012 annual fund raising calender, I hope to have these available by October 15, 2011.  It will be in a 14 month format featuring a different picture and story line for each month.  This follows the request of several of our supporters to have the previous December and January in following year included.  We will also have these for sale at the Spruce Meadows Christmas fairs in November.

Again thanks to all those who continue to support us and who write their letters of support to us.  Without your support we could not carry on the work you want us to do in protecting your wild horses.

Bob.

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If you happen to be going to the Masters Event at Spruce Meadows, starting next Wednesday, look as up and say hello.  Our booth will be in the Equi-plex building.  September 7 – 11, 2011. 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

At our booth WHOAS will have an informational video, photographs, along with literature on the wild horses.  There will also be art work from some of the local artist who support the work of WHOAS, by making donations of their beautiful work.  These in turn we sell to continue to raise money for our work.

Maximus by G Kohut

Winter bluff by D King

Wild horse hair ceramics by Maxine Walroth

Hope to see you there.

Bob.

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A blend of colors

In all the years now I have been working with WHOAS, one of the more positive things I continue to see, is the passion for our wild horses,  that our younger generation displays.  When I go out to different groups and schools giving our presentation on the Alberta wild horses to these beautiful young people, I always stress that is they and not my generation that will make the final difference in the future of our wild horses.

Over the years various young people have come along and made personal donations to WHOAS,  in order  to help us protect and save our wild horses.  One young girl made soap bars and sold them in order to help, a whole class of grade six students had a bake sale and donated the proceeds to WHOAS, one young boy collected pennies as his project for earth day, donating his collection also and there are so many other familiar stories.  It always brings me great joy and optimism that we will indeed save the wild horses of Alberta and maybe it will be one these young people, that will take the job over from me to keep the work of WHOAS going.

When I picked up the mail the other day I was delighted to have a letter from a young girl, Eden.  I have attached it in order that you may also appreciate the unselfish efforts of this young person, trying in her own way to help out organizations that are trying make a difference  in order to help both horses and other creatures in need.

A gift of love

Thank you Eden and all of the other young supporters.  With your help we will make a difference and you do make our work more enjoyable.

Bob.

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Summer grazing

Well it appears that summer is finally here in our beautiful Alberta Foothills.  The grass is very lush and green and the wild flowers are showing their brilliant colors over the hillsides and meadows.

Beautiful meadow flowers

The wild horses are enjoying the plentiful and thick forage grasses, which also enables them to extend their ranges this time of year.  This spring’s foals are looking great and the mares, stallions and yearlings now have their proper weight back with no ribs now showing.  Their coats are glossy, showing that they are in great shape.  One of the things though that comes with the summer heat and sunshine, are the pesky insect pests.  In my rides so far this year the bugs have not been a problem.  This past weekend though we had to liberally apply repellant on our horses to keep those horrible horseflies away and keep the pesky mosquitos at bay.

In my studies over the years the wild horses have several ways to help alleviate those bothersome pests.  One is to do what we call tree up.  Here they go into the thick timber and use the tress as tools to sweep the insects off of their bodies.  Another method are their mud baths.

Oh this feels so good

My turn next

Throughout wild horse country there are little pot holes that are 1/2 water and 1/2 mud.  It is in these that the wild horses will roll and cover themselves with this mixture to keep the insects off.  I also believe that it helps their skin in giving them natural nutrients and moisture.   I caught this one herd at one of these mud pots and took great delight in watching them all take turns to roll and splash in it.  The one foal was so cute as it watched and kept walking around the mud hole watching it’s mom and the other members take their turns.  The closest it got was when it put one hoof in the mixture, withdrew it quickly and shook it’s head as if to say, “no way”.

Still learning

Another technique that the wild horses have found is that in certain locations there are mineral licks and some of these have something in them that when the horses ingest it they are not bothered as much by the insects.  I would like to find out what this is and use it for my own horses.

Dirt!! Yummy?

Then of course there is also the personal grooming that all horses use to relieve the itch of bites and scratches.

Oh yeah, right there

The back country has not had as much rain as we have out here in the flat country and the trails are in good shape for this time of the year.  The higher trails though you can still encounter some snow, so ride safe.

Bob.

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Resting in the warm sunshine

Summer is finally here and in wild horse country and the grass is growing tall and lush.  A good number of  the wild horse herds have new foals with them.  With some herds it may be only one but with a larger herd, we have counted up to five foals in that particular group.

One observation though, is that with some herds that had foals with them last fall, there are no yearlings, showing that the life of these young wild horses is a very hard and harsh one.  I did photograph two foals, that were in different herds, but roam an area very close to each other.  Both of these young beautiful creatures showed signs of wolf attacks.  Fortunately  their mares and the herds must have fended off their attackers.

Attack survivor, bites on left hip

A lucky one, bite marks on back legs and hips

Then with some of the earlier foals that we had observed in different herds, the foals are gone.  This could be due to weather, sickness or predators.  This evening after I got home, I received a phone call from a concerned  oil well sight operator, of a young foal that was in distress.  Following his directions, I raced out to the general area in order to find the foal and maybe assist it.  Unfortunately by the time I did find it, it was too late.  Despite my best efforts the young thing died as I tried to attend to it.  When I looked up, the herd and  it’s mare were standing off a short distance and just watched me.  I had to cry their tears of sorrow for them.  I did my best to bury the small thing and marked it’s resting site.  So as you can see their little lives are not the easiest.

The good news is that so many of the others are doing just fine and enjoying their new lives.  Two mares that we know of and call Thelma and Louise have almost identical foals born over a week apart.  It was heart-rending to watch them both scratching themselves on a dead bush, to relieve the itch of misquito bites.

Thelma's and Louise's offspring

High mountain babe

Day old grulla foal

This is hard stuff to walk through

Oh, that sun is so nice and warm

Mom that rain is so cold

Very protective stallion

I hope that you enjoy the pictures of some more of this year’s Wild Horses of Alberta, foal crop.  As the summer wears on they will contunue to grow strong as the grazing grass is very lush and plentiful this year.

On another note, the little foal that was rescued earlier by Sandie and her friends now has a name.  On June 21 a naming cermony was held and he was given the name Ganuseda, which in Cherokee means “Ambassador”.  Sandie does hope he will act as an ambassador for it’s free living relatives.  She has started an animated series to tell his story,    �
http://goanimate.com/movie/0E_gKyb1Ie9s?utm_source=linkshare&uid=0itASB1EG–M
It is very cute to watch.  Again thank you to all those that help save Ganu.

Ganuseda ("Ganu")

I have a couple of other notes, while I am typing away.  WHOAS will have an educational display booth at the Spruce Meadows Master’s and we will be situated in the  Equi-plex Building from September 07-11, 2011.  Please drop by to say hello and see what we are all about.  Further we will be there in November at the Christmas Market, November 18-20, 2011, where we will have WHOAS on display and also have for sale at that time our 2012 fund raising calendar.  This year it will be a 14 month one, having a page for December 2011 and one for January 2013, at the request of our followers.

Thanks to all, Bob.

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Although I usually try to be soley focused on keeping our members and supporters updated on the wild horses, I thought that I would mention this beautiful performance.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the show at Canada Olympic Park and I found the show to be totally amazing.  The scenery and performers were fantastic but what I saw was the unbelievable relationship this group of people have with their horses.  The bond and trust that these horses have with their trainers is evident throughout the show.  As most of you have read elsewhere, Cavalia adopted two young horses from Kathy and Mike at Bearvalley Rescue.  Cricket and Linus were the first two horses to make their appearance, no halters, just them, amongst all the performers that were on stage.  Unafraid they wandered freely, how beautiful and what an amazing life that they are going to have.

I see this also in so many people who truely love the horse, for what it means to us humans.  With the case of Cavalia I was impressed and I certainly wish that others in our world respected the wild horses here in Alberta the way that they do theirs.

At the beginning of the performance, on the curtains they gave a history of the horse but I truly loved the one quote that indicates how they see their horses.  It was an Arab proverb, ” God’s gift to man was the horse”.  So fitting and how many of us do like to believe it.  Thanks.

Bob.

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Little Miracle

I thought I would take this time to update you on the young foal (A Little Miracle) that was rescued just over two weeks ago now.  The foal is not named as yet, but Sandie will be having a native naming cermony on June 21, 2011, the day of our summer solstice.  She still feels so blessed at having this beautiful young horse come into her life.

It is so tough being a baby

Sandi says that the foal is coming along fine and is gaining strength on a daily basis.  It’s milk intake has increased greatly and it keeps Sandie busy preparing it’s supply of the warm yummy milk.

Is my milk ready yet, Mom.

Between the rain and the mosquitoes, Sandi has taken some great steps to protect the little one from nature.

Baby in rain gear

Safe from those pesky misquitoes

I will let you all know later when this little foal has it’s new name.  Also check out the comments on the previous post as to how the great people that found it, saved it’s life.

Bob.

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Come on guys slow down

More and more of this year’s wild horse foal crop are making their first appearance in this beautiful world.  This past Saturday I was accompanied by Sandie as I toured the back country to photograph the new arrivals.

A couple of years back Sandie had bought at an auction, a horse that she believed had been a wildie.  He was not quite a year old when she bought him and named him Juno.  The past little while we had exchanged e-mails and she had sent me a couple of pictures of Juno.  Once I looked at pictures of him, I assured Sandie that he was indeed, a wild horse that had been captured and ended up at the auction.  This just heightened her want to visit the wild horses and come in contact with the deep spiritual connection she has inside herself for these magnificent creatures.

Except for the wind, the day was great and we were able to come across several herds and observed 16 foals with the herds.  One of the first we found in the mornings was brand new, still wobbling and having to lean on mom for support.  It was a great day for Sandie and I let her know that she must be blessed because of the closeness we got to so many of the horses.

Sunday came and friends of Sandie’s phoned her to let her know that they had found this wild horse foal that was only around two days old and it could not get up at all.  They then took the foal under their wing until Sandie could get there to help.  After giving me a quick call to let me know, off she went with a friend to where the foal was being attended to.   The foal was indeed in extreme need of medical attention.  With her friend driving and Sandie holding onto the foal in the back of the horse trailer, they hurried to Moore’s Veterinary Centre.  When she talked to me from the back of the trailer you could hear the concern in her voice about the future of the little guy.

Once there the vets confirmed that he had almost no antibodies in his system and probably had not received any of the mare’s colostrum.  Why and what happened to the mare we are unsure of.

On the phone again I told Sandie that she had to do what was right inside her heart for the foal but that WHOAS would support her in her decision.  It was then decided to give the foal a transfusion of antibodies to at least give the small thing a chance.  Not arriving home until 3:00 AM, Sandie spent the night in the horse trailer with the foal laying it’s head on the same blanket that Sandie was resting her’s on.  The next night she did the same, in order  to make the foal feel safe and secure. From here the story just continues to be better, as the young boy has started to drink it’s milk, go for walks around Sandie’s farm yard with her and slowly begins to explore it’s new world and home.

On Wednesday I had a chance to visit Sandie, Juno and the new addition, the yet to be named foal.  My heart melted again as the litle guy came out of the trailer and walked right up to me putting it’s face up to mine and bunting me wanting a drink of milk. I would now like to introduce you to the young boy.

Save and secure

Gaining strength and wanting love

Oh goodie, dinner.

Oh, that tastes so good.

After having drank some of it’s milk Sandie and I decided to introduce Juno to one of his kin, another wildie.  After seeing it for myself with my wildie, Wylie, I believe that wild horses recognize their own.  Juno got extremely excited and wanted to run and play with the fragile little guy.  Both Sandie’s and my heart raced as Juno started to run and move the young boy, in order to get him to run too.  In order to protect the young boy from being bumped too hard we  had to intervene and I carried him back to the security of his own pen.  You could tell the foal is feeling much better and getting more strength and balance.  Once in the pen he put himself to bed and after all that excercise, quickly fell asleep.

I'm so tired

After such a rough start in life this young fellow is truely one of those miracles that makes me even more committed and in love with the work I do in order to protect his kind.

This coming Tuesday, Sandie will be having a native naming event to give her latest addition a name.  I want to thank Sandie, her friends and, Moore’s Veterinary staff who have given him a new chance in life.

Bob.

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Growing up Yepa and Snowstorm

Spring is slowly making it’s way back into wild horse country.  There is still lots of snow about, but the hillsides and valley bottoms are greening now.  With that the wild horse herds have migrated down into these lower meadows so that the pregnant mares will have a place to graze and give birth to this year’s foals.  This year I saw the earliest born foal, January 23/11, born to a wild horse herd, (Yepa,  above).  In March a mare in the same herd also had an early foal (Snowstorm, above).  These two are now the best of buddies and are also close together. Snowstorm’s mom seems to have taken on the job of babysitting them both.

Many other mares were still heavy in foal up to about two weeks ago.  This past Sunday it was pouring rain but that is never a reason to stay home and besides my Akita’s needed a good run.  Off we went with me vowing that I would stick to the main roads this time of year.  It was a pure joy for me to come across the herds we did, and to see the new foals some  of the herds had with them.

Mom's warm milk

In the pouring rain and sometimes snow, I felt a little bit sorry for the foals as the younger ones would just stand close to the herd with their backs humped up trying to stay warm.

I'm cold

The foals that are two to three weeks old were not as perturbed by the weather and put on some hilarious antics pretending that they were as big and brave as the adult horses.  They would go on alert and run to the front with the stallion or lead mare to see what the fuss was about.

What are you looking at

I will protect you mom

With the birth of the foals some of the herds are very wary and flee at the first sign of danger.  We ran across this with one particular herd that has a white mare, (“Isatas”).  I have found that the herds with a white gene prevalent in it,  will always seem to be much more elusive.  I believe this may be due to the way they stand out against the landscape.  In her herd, that is sired by stallion “Chatan” there were two other mares with foals.  “Isatas” foal was completely black though, while the two with the other bay mares were the typical fawn color.  As soon as they saw us the herd dashed off for the safety of the trees.

Off to safety

Come my child

One little foal in the Kline Lake herd put on quite the show for us as it investigated a forestry warning sign, bugged it’s mom and  then danced around in an effort to stay warm.  Even though the day was dismal with the rain, watching this little foal made the sun come out in my heart.

Bear!!!!! What bear.

Then there was the other foal that was so busy and excited about investigating a log that it’s little tail was straight out quivering with excitment.

This smells funny

The weather is supposed to warm up for awhile now and this will allow the foals already on the ground to strengthen and allow the mares still in foal to be give birth in warm sunshine.  I will be out there again this week to check on them and to keep our members updated.

I just need to get this baby on the ground to feel better.

Thanks to all who continue to support WHOAS and the work we are trying to do to protect and save your wild horses.

Bob.

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On April 26, 2011, in Calgary Provincial Court charges against the three individuals that were charged over the killing of a wild horse in 2009 were withdrawn by the Crown. At this point WHOAS would like to clarify the information as I know over this incident.

In August of 2009 Crime Stoppers did a segment over the killing of three wild horses in April of that year in which it stated that WHOAS was offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible. Subsequently the RCMP advised us that they had indeed received information from informants and as a result had arrested the 3 adults and youth for this offence. Quite quickly we began to receive phone calls from individuals stating that they were the ones who had provided the information and that they were eligible for the reward money. When speaking with these people I continually informed them that the reward would be payable upon conviction. A few of these people accepted this and never bothered to phone again. However, one individual in particular, Chuck Kollin, continually harrassed and threatened us demanding that he be paid the reward money immediately since these 3 had been arrested. He was continually advised that the payment of the reward was always upon conviction.  I had approached Crime Stoppers to seek their help in distributing this money if it was to be paid out. However, the RCMP Crime Stoppers refused to help me as did the Calgary Crime Stoppers. I, myself, felt we were abandoned by the system in dealing with this alleged confidential informant. This was despite his onslaught against myself and my wife at that time. This caused great fear for my wife for our safety and we had to hire a lawyer to represent us and WHOAS to deal with this person. Again this did not work. He began to write to my employer defaming me to them; he wrote to the bar association over our lawyer’s refusing also to submit to his demands for the money. He went as far as to get hold of some of our private donors again defaming me over my refusal to bow to this pressure.

All along stories continually surfaced that the accused in this case had been set up by someone just after the reward money was announced. It is my understanding that the accused were not charged with the shooting of the 3 horses in April, but rather one that was supposedly shot in September of 2009. Of this I’m not totally sure because we were not privileged to this information even though we were personally having to deal with Mr. Kollin. Thoughout the time up to the date of the trial I always believed due to my experience that there was something wrong with this case. I would pass any information along to the proper authorities.

Why would someone be so urgent to get the money and why would somebody shoot and kill horses so close to where they lived and worked and that draws the public to this area? This is my own personal belief, as I have also photographed wild horses directly across the road from Mountain Aire Lodge. WHOAS has never come out and demanded blind justice against any individuals in the killing of any of the horses we have found. Even in my statements to the media, I always expressed my belief that the judicial system has to have the chance to work properly.

It is always unfortunate when people are brought before the courts when they are not quilty of any offence and I know this personally myself. WHOAS continues to hope that whoever did commit these offences will finally be brought to justice. You can be assured that the reward funds are intact in a trust fund, in the event that it may be necessary in the future to hopefully bring the perpetrator(s) to court. WHOAS will always continue to stand up for the protection of the wild horses of Alberta, which is our mandate.

I felt it very necessary to finally present this information to all our members and supporters as I was not able to beforehand due to being subpoenaed to court over this matter.

Bob.

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