Thursday, September 9, 2010

Wild Horses: The Cremello Colts Come Home



Unfortunately when I am talking about "home" I don't mean back to the range that they grew up in - the McCullough Peaks Herd Area in Wyoming. They were removed forever from that home in October of last year in a BLM helicopter roundup. They will never see that home or their families again. But they are now in their new home with me in Colorado. It has been a long journey for the two three year old First they were transported to the Rock Springs holding facility, then sent to Steve Mantle's Ranch in Wheatland. They were not adopted at the April adoption in Powell, WY so they were sent back to Steve's ranch. I adopted them in April, and Rich Scott picked them up in May and brought them to his place for a few months of gentling and training.



I watched Rich work with them slowly, patiently, gaining their trust, and observed how things I don't normally think of as scary for a horse could startle them - like moving a hand abruptly toward them. He did a wonderful job working with them, and has made having them her at home possible for me.





Rich got them to a point where they could be caught, haltered, led and trimmed and trailered, which was what I needed, and then a month ago he brought them to my home near Lyons, CO.





They were so calm when they unloaded from the trailer - and investigated their new corral. They immediately figured out the automatic waterer and went into their shed. It has taken a little longer to get used to me.







I was so excited the first day when we turned them loose into my big pasture - I expected them to run off thundering up the hill - but they stuck fairly close to the corral.





Rich has continued to come out and work with me to improve my skills in approaching and handling them.








It has also been interesting seeing the differences in personality of the two colts. Claro, the one with one blue eye and one dark eye, is the boss. he herds Cremosso around. He is the one who investigates things first, and has been a bit easier to work with. Cremosso, who has two green eyes lets Claro boss him around, and has been more guarded.




I was thrilled the first time Claro approached me and let me stroke and pet him without a halter when they were in the field. Cremosso hasn't let me do that yet, but he is thinking about it - I can tell. They both spend alot of their time near the house, and always watch me when I am outside. I love seeing them out there, together, calm and content in their new home with a huge pasture to roam in. It reminds me of why I have been working to help keep the last of our wild horses free. They are worth it.



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11 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Carol! They are beautiful and in a beautiful place, if it can't be McCullough Peaks. Keep us updated on their progress.

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  2. Hey Carol, Thanks for sharing this. These two will have a wonderful home with you as I know how well they will live there. Maybe they don't have their freedom but you will insure that they are as happy as they can be. I can't wait to see them and hopefully photograph them one of these days. Hope all is going well with you.
    Charles

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  3. What a great life these two boys will have! Sure, it's not their "old" life, but they are safe, healthy and loved. All the best!! Donna

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  4. You are their angel on earth! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, you did what many of us can not. You gave them hope and a home. Shame on the BLM for not allowing them to live their lives in the wild. Forever grateful that they found you and will be together always.

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  5. Beautiful story,Beautiful horses.Beautiful lady for taking care of them.I love it when a horse story has a beautiful ending.

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  6. Beautiful photos of beautiful colts.

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  7. They are beautiful. And have a new wonderful life with you. They may miss home.. But they will always be happy with you.

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  8. these guys are magnificent,nature in its finest form,you will be repaid for your gracious deed in heaven.they cant say it verbally but they will thank you with trust and love once they understand what you have done for them.

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  9. Carol, this is such a touching story of reward for these two colts. It sent chills up my spine to see their expressions change to trust. Thank you for your work and thank you for taking on these two beauties. This is truly a beautiful story in so many ways.

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  10. Thank you Carol! They are magnificent and so very lucky to have found you! God Bless.

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  11. Wonderful, moving story Carol. You are truly a "Wild Horse Angel" the photos are stunning these colts show their Spanish heritage!

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