Photo Of The Week – 1/30/13

This stallion from the Red Desert (Wyoming) positions himself between me and his family. A great protector with an ever watchful eye.

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“Shaman” of the Pryor Mountains

Yesterday I read on the Pryor Wild Blog that they lost the gentleman stallion Shaman last week. Shaman was approximately 21 years old and at the time of his death, the oldest stallion on the Pryor Mountain range.

The gentleman stallion Shaman

Shaman spars with Bigfoot with Custer in the background

I call him the gentleman stallion because he was such a kind boy. His mares seemed to adore him, even after they were stolen by Bolder last year. (Shaman was a secondary/satellite/lieutenant stallion to the band for some time before Bolder finally pushed him out of the group entirely). I watched several mares mosey up to Shaman when Bolder was distracted for some mutual grooming. The bonds were still strong between the longtime band stallion and “his” girls.

Shaman at top right with Bolder's band at Krueger Pond

Bolder and Shaman

A disagreement between stallions - Bolder and Shaman

Later that same season, I saw him hanging out alone or with Flint. Shaman had become a bachelor…and I felt for him.

Flint and Shaman - bachelor stallions

Early morning on the mountain

The saving grace regarding the timing of his death? Shaman will not be subjected to the gather scheduled to begin this week. It appears that he may not have survived it. He was able to stay on the mountain where he had lived all of his days. That's the best conclusion to the life of any wild horse.

Shaman

Please go to my Wild Horse Information page on my website for updated/current information about the Pryor Mountain Roundup and how you can help.