In Memory – Bones and Phantom

To honor a couple of the wild ones that are, unfortunately, no longer with us…

Bones was from the Spring Creek Basin, CO herd. She died while trying to bring a new life into the world. Bones had broken her pelvis at some point – the reason she was not able to deliver. I observed for myself her strong will to live (despite the damage to her body) on a visit to Spring Creek in 2008. She was a tough little mare which won her a soft spot with many. It’s a shame that these will be the only images I’ll have of her.

(You can follow this herd through TJ Holmes’ Spring Creek Basin Weblog).

Bones - mare from Spring Creek HMA, CO

Bones

Bay stallion Poco with Bones

Bones with her stallion, Poco

The Little Book Cliffs, CO herd lost a member this Spring as well. Phantom was just 12 years old. According to Billie Hutchings’ blog (Wild Horses of the Little Book Cliffs), his mares were found with another stallion and some horseback riders found Phantom’s body several days later. There was no obvious cause. Again, I was fortunate to have photographed this big, handsome boy with the unusual face marking (that earned him his name) in 2006.

Band stallion Phantom from The Little Book Cliffs

Phantom

Phantom

The memorable face of Phantom

They live on in our photographs and memories…