Photo Of The Week – 10/28/09
October 28, 2009
Band stallion from the Green Mountain HMA near Baroil, WY
Since the roundup of the Red Desert Complex in Wyoming is supposed to take place in November, I thought I’d show off one of the many beautiful horses from that area.
My Mom loves this stallion. He’s from the Green Mountain HMA which is part of the large Red Desert Complex. I took this picture in April of 2007 as he was slowly working his way towards me for a better look. He had a beautiful pinto mare with him and a uniquely colored brown and grey yearling stud. I didn’t see this guy the last time we were out (this past September), but I saw a bachelor who looked very similiar right down to the stockings and distinctive white marking across the hindquarters.
It’s hard to comprehend that these gorgeous animals are about to be so cruelly displaced. Maybe this stallion will be one of the lucky ones that gets released or better yet, never captured. I so wish that for all of our wild horses…
There is a list of the herd areas, by state, that have pending roundups posted on my website:
http://www.nickolesphotography.com/HTML/gathers.html
Folks should be outraged by the sheer numbers to be taken, the wasted money spent to conduct these roundups and the incredibly sad fate of the horses losing their homes only to languish in long term holding or worse. Please speak up for the horses – we must inform the public and educate others about what is happening to these icons of the west (and the west is where they should stay – not removed, sterilized and relocated to private, unmonitored “sanctuaries” in the midwest per Ken Salazar’s proposal. There has to be a better solution that can be implemented).
Lots of wild horse information: http://www.nickolesphotography.com/HTML/wildhorseinformation.htm
Pam Nickoles Photography 
October 28, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I hope he is one of the lucky ones and does not get captured. Thanks for sharing Pam.
October 28, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Red Desert Complex wild horse gather decision available
http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/rfodocs/red-desert.html
October 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM
These herds are part of the Red Desert Complex, I do believe….
http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rawlins/wh.html
October 28, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Sorry for all the seperate postings…
here is an interactive map of all the HMA’s in WY
http://www.wy.blm.gov/wildhorses/map1.php
October 28, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Lona – the Red Desert Complex consists of the Green Mountain HMA, Stewart Creek HMA, Antelope Hills Herd HMA, Crooks Mountain and the Lost Creek HMA. Here is the proposed breakdown of the numbers:
Lost Creek HMA -gather 235 wild horses (AML = 60-82)
Stewart Creek HMA -gather 185 wild horses (AML = 125-175)
Antelope Hills HMA -gather 125 wild horses (AML = 60-82)
Crooks Mountain HMA -gather 87 wild horses (AML = 60-82)
Green Mountain HMA -gather 316 wild horses (AML = 170-300)
October 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Oh, I should explain – AML stands for Appropriate Management Level just in case there are some not familiar with BLM’s terms.
October 29, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Oh my he is GORGEOUS!!!! Love him! AGH, I am so frustrated with this situation…. I wish we could do more!!
October 31, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I envy you so as you have gotten to see him/them running free but I also ache for you as their lost will be that much harder to bare! My guy stands on a hill the wind blows his mane and I think he should be free but then No he is twelve and that would be his death warrent in BLM eyes.Thank you giving all of us the chance to see these beautiful animals wild and still free!
November 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Michelle – we are all frustrated with what the wild ones are going through. Let’s keep trying to let people know what’s going on any way we can. I appreciate your help and comments.
Ellieroo – you’re so right. Getting to “know” the horses a bit is the hardest part about losing them. Your guy is very lucky he has you.
November 5, 2009 at 5:15 AM
Can you please tell me what ever happened to Image, the little colt that looked so much like Cloud????
November 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Hi Jeannie,
Both Image and Ember were rounded up in September. They were then adopted by photographer Deb Little. Deb has a journal that you can follow about how the horses are doing: http://deblittle.wordpress.com/ If they had to be taken away from their freedom, at least they are in a good home.