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“Cloud’s Image” – Pryor Mtns, MT

August 19, 2009

With the Pryor Mountain BLM gather looming at the beginning of September, I thought it appropriate to feature one of the many horses likely to lose its freedom if it proceeds as planned.

Young stud colt Image - 2008

This handsome little colt goes by the name of “Cloud’s Image” or “Image.” He is Cloud’s grandson – a yearling now. Carefree, happy, healthy and born wild, he has no idea how his family is about to be torn apart. Image will be absolutely terrorized and run down the mountain alongside all the other horses, chased for miles by a helicopter over rough and treacherous terrain. Hopefully, his young body will be able to withstand the distance and the stress he’ll be forced to endure. Hopefully, he won’t be one of the casualties (and there are always injuries and/or casualties with this method).

Cloud and his grandson, Image - 2008

Image and his dam Cloud Dancer who is also known as Damsel.

Image with Shadow who is also known as Hailstorm

Image plays with Ember who is also known as Incendia

Every one of these wild horses carries unique genetics that will likely be lost by the numbers of horses the BLM intends to remove. Taking the numbers so low will destroy their genetic viability. (Read Equine Geneticist, Dr. Gus Cothrens’ letter regarding genetic viability HERE).

The deadline for letters and comments to the Billings, Montana BLM office was today. I suppose we will have an answer about the future of these horses sometime soon. It’s clear the BLM is very determined to carry out this roundup. I pray for some type of intervention. My hope is that there will be a more positive outcome for these horses and all of the wild horses still scheduled to be gathered yet this year.

PMwhor-076-s

What can you do?

Sign the petition at the following link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-the-massive-removal-of-cloud39s-wild-horse-herd

Contact your Senators and ask them to support S.1579, the Senate Version of the Restore Our American Mustangs Act (ROAM).

Contact Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, exsec@ios.doi.gov or 202-208-7351.

Contact President Obama, http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT

When writing, please be sure to mention that it’s not just the BLM managed wild horses that you care about – all of our wild horses need and deserve protection including the horses living on US Fish and Wildlife Service lands and National Parks Service lands.

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Tags: band stallion, BLM, BLM gather, BLM roundup, Bureau of Land Management, Cloud, Cloud's Image, Dr. Gus Cothrens, Equine Geneticist, Image, Ken Salazar, mustangs, Pam Nickoles, Pam Nickoles Photography, Pryor Mountain wild horses, Pryor Mountains, Pryor Mtns., ROAM act, S.1579, Secretary of the Interior, wild horse, wild horse legislation, wild horse protection, Wild Horses, wild mare, wild stallion, wild stallion Cloud

“Cloud” – Wild Stallion of the Pryor Mtns.

March 4, 2009

Like many others who have fallen in love with the wild horses, it was filmmaker Ginger Kathrens’ portrayal of a wild stallion in the Pryor Mountains of Montana that inspired me to go see this horse for myself several years ago. It was an unexpected, life changing experience.

Horses have always been in my blood, but the wild horses hold a special place in my heart. Beautiful, hardy and very family oriented, I find them fascinating. Observing and documenting the wild horses over the years has motivated me to fight for their protection/preservation. The goal of my photographs, DVD’s and this Blog is to better acquaint people with these incredible animals and possibly inspire folks to act on their behalf.

The pictures below are of the famous Cloud – wild stallion of the Pryor Mountains. I believe Cloud is 13 now (14 on May 29, 2009). My hope is that he will always run free on the mountain.