October foal

I had noted in the last post about a young foal that we had found that had been born on October 14, 2011.  In its first day of life it had got into difficulty and if not for some human intervention it may have perished.  I had decided to go back out this past Tuesday to check on the little filly.  As I travelled into the area where I had last seen it, there was no sign of the herd it belongs to.  This concerned me because when I had first seen it, the young thing was very fragile and seemed to be in difficulty.

I started to travel around on some of the trails in the area looking for “Little Wonder”.  As I went up one road I saw some horses in the trees and became excited that it would be the herd I was looking for.  I got out of the vehicle and started to approach on foot.  I got another big and pleasant surprise, for there feeding in this small forest glade was “Socks.”  I had not seen him since he had lost his herd to a more dominant stallion, late last summer.  At that time he was beaten up and in my mind looked very forlorn.  He had been a favorite wild horse stallion of mine, that I loved to photograph.  Upon seeing him like he was, tough old me, cried tears of sorrow for him.  I had searched for him all winter and over the spring and summer of this year.  I feared that he may have perished over the winter.

Socks looked fine and he had another young  three year old stud as his companion.  As I photographed them they showed no fear of me and it seemed that he recognized me as his friend.  This was a thrill for me.

"Socks"

I continued to travel around the hills taking photographs of several herds of horses that I came across.  The wild horses are in excellent shape.  The foals, yearlings, mares and stallions all have glossy and ever thickening coats as they get ready for the winter to come.  In wild horse country the grass is still tall and plentiful and thus if the winter does get as bad as some are forecasting, then most of the wild horses should survive.

Looking good

After a time I headed back into the area where I had last seen Little Wonder’s herd a few days before.  Rounding a bend on the trail, there they were.  The foal’s mother is just a young mare, but I could tell right away that she had now accepted it and had become quite protective.  She started to lead it away from the human danger.  The herd mare did not like this and tried to stop her.  This did not bode well with the herd stallion, “Wastoh”, as he called her back.  She would have none of this and whinied at the foal’s mare to come back into the herd.  The stallion then allowed me another thrill then by doing what we call snaking his head and body in order to chase the rest of the herd to where Little Wonder had sought refuge.

The snake

It was an end to another great day in wild horse country.

Please remember our 2012 calendars are available online and we can ship anywhere in time for Christmas if ordered soon.

Bob.

The colors of fall

Fall is upon us and it has been a glorious one in the foothills of Alberta that the wild horses call home.  The grass is golden and abundant, which adds to the scenic beauty of this range.  It can make for some wonderful photographs for those of us that love this time of year.

For the wild horses it is a blessing as they are able to build up their fat reserves for the winter yet to come.  All the horses that I have come across and photographed are in excellent shape with their coats thickening up quickly.  In some of the meadows I have ridden through the grass is still up to the bellies of my horses.  This is excellent as it will able the wild horses and wildlife that rely on the meadows to find forage over the winter months.  With forcaster’s calling for the coldest and worst winter in years to come, all of mother nature’s creatures will need a good food source.

I know who the mom is!

The wild horses are starting to come into their wintering areas and there you can find two or three herds living in close proximity to each other.  The stallions of a herd will tolerate this closeness only as long as the undefined boundary is kept.

As I have travelled along on the horse trails this fall, I have started to come across some of the herds that had found refuge from the bugs, heat and extra traffic that occurs in the summer months.

Deep in the grass

In these travels we have noted that this spring’s foals are doing extremely well and hopefully will be able  to survive the hardships yet to come in their lives.  Yet every once in a while we come across late born foals in a herd.  This causes me to worry about their welfare and ability to survive from both the cold and also the predators that prey upon the horses.

Such is the case this past weekend when we went out for another ride on our horses.  Here I met up with some old friends from Grand Prairie, Al and Bunny, who were also down for a week of riding in wild horse country.  They told of a foal that had just been born on Friday, October 14, to a mare in a herd we know quite well.  They had watched it the first day as the mare tried to move it along.  The little thing tripped going over some deadfall and became entrapped in the branches and twigs.  It could not get up and the mare and the herd started to move off.  Al and Bunny intervened, walked up to it and untangled it.  Once on it’s feet it tried to attach itself to Bunny, but being wise in the way of horses, they both backed off slowly.  The herd came back and the young thing joined back up with them.

This Sunday after a glorious ride exploring some new trails I found the foal close to the area they had found it in.  There it was, still a little wobbly on it’s legs at three days but being able to keep up to the herd.

New born

I managed to see that it was able to suckle on the mare for a short time, which is good because we had been worried it may not be getting enough milk.  Mom, however, is in excellent shape and the other mares are very watchfull of it.

Mom is on the far side

I am going to travel out west Tuesday to make sure it is still okay.  It is in an area that will easily allow me to keep a check on it’s growth.

Bob.

WHOAS Booth

In September at the Spruce Meadows Equi-Fair, during the Master’s event, WHOAS had an educational booth set up to inform the public that attended, about the wild horses of Alberta.  In addition to our new informational brochures, we had frig magnets with our contact and website information on them to hand out.  Thanks to some local artists, we also were able to sell wild horse ceramics, exclusive wild horse paintings as well as some of my framed photographs to raise funds.

All of us that attended to the booth on behalf of WHOAS were quite pleased by the reception from those that dropped by for a visit.  Lots of questions were asked and the video that we played was well received and watched by everyone.  We truly believe that it had a positive impact in favor of the wild horses.

WHOAS at Spruce Meadows

We will also have a similar booth during the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market, November 18-20 and November 25-27, 2011.  This is to allow us to spread the word about our wild horses to a different audience.  At this though we will also be able to sell our fund raising 2012 calendars.

2012 Calendar

Calendars are now available for $25.00 which includes postage and handling and can be ordered by writing to WHOAS, Box 70022, Olds, AB., T4H 0A3.

Bob.

WHOAS is happy to announce that the 2012 calendar is now available.  This year we have added pictures and pages for November and December 2011, in order that they can be hung on the walls right away.  The calendar features 14 photographs along with a narrative about what was happening when each photograph was taken.

Attached are some of the featured photographs.

The calendars will be at the same cost as in previous years; $25.00, which includes postage and handling.  To order your copy please send your cheque or money order to WHOAS, Box 70022, Olds, AB., T4H 0A3.   

Bob

Wild horse haven

Summer home

I have in past posts mentioned that in the heat of summer the wild horses can be harder to find, as they do what I call tree up.  In doing this, they pick areas that have dense forest, good grazing close by and water.  These locations are usually in isolated valleys and the muskeg bottoms.  In doing so they also can, some what, escape the onslaught of annoying and biting insects and the heat of the high summer sun.

This year has not been as severe for heat or insects and therefore some of the herds have found the open clearcuts a place to graze.  Here the wind will keep the insects at bay and also cool the horses.  Still many herds out of instinct will continue to go into their summer havens.

Open clearing grazing

Covered in mud

Relief from the summer winds

It was this past weekend that my friend Fran and I were out for the weekend riding our two young horses, Magnum and Whiskey.  We were riding some of the trails west of Sundre, in an area I knew where to find some of the herds in order to check on them and take photographs.  It has been a lot drier year in the west country than out here near Olds.  Thus a lot of the marshy areas are drier and this make access on some trails easier.  We had come across two herds and it was great to see that all the horses were strong and sleek.  The foals from this year are growing rapidly and also looking fit and ready for the hardships of the seasons yet to come.  

Headed for safety

Over the years that I have travelled wild horse country on horseback or vehicle, I have often wondered where some of the herds I know find these summer havens.  As we moved along one trail, Fran pointed out a well used horse trail that headed off through the thick pines.  It was such a gorgeous day and we were in no hurry and going no place in particular.  We decided to see where this trail may lead us.  As we followed further into the trees other game and horse trails merged with it and it became a well worn, wide trail and just perfect to ride along.  The amount of horse sign increased dramatically the further we got back into this one valley.  Then as we came out of the trees, we were in a beautiful meadow with a stream running through it.  Ahead lay a vast muskeg area shimmering with the reflection of the summer sun on the long grass.  The trail, as with most game trails skirted along the side of the meadow, just inside the tree line.  We could tell that if it had been a normal year, we would have had difficulty, but because it was so dry we were able to carry on.

Peek a boo

Safety in the pines

Then rounding a bend, we spotted some horses in an opening. I dismounted and took out my camera to take some pictures.  All of sudden my heart raced, for there standing looking at me was “The Ghost”.  An elusive, large buckskin stallion, that I had always admired and usually only got glimpses of.  He is a wise one, because all year he keeps his herd close to the muskegs and away from trail and roads where us humans can bother him.  I was just elated at seeing an old friend and took many photographs before he snorted his warning, threw his head and then was off, chasing his herd in front of him and away to the safety of the pines.

The Ghost

One last warning blow

Back on horseback we followed the trail further back into the large valley until, on our horses we could go no further because of the muskeg.  The wild horse trail kept going along the side of it and into the heavier trees.  Adapted to their habitat, the wild horses have a much broader hoof and when they go through soft terrain, they do it at a good speed and lifting their legs high.  Watching them move through this marshy ground it appears that they barely touch the ground as they quickly go over it. 

Curious

There were a good number of other horses in the valley and although I could not get a picture of him, here I also found “Scarface” with his herd.  He was another stallion I knew well but had not seen in two years.  What a day! Soon though the horses will adapt to their fall season routines as they prepare for the harshness of the winter yet to come.  Before then though I plan a few more rides into “A Wild Horse Valley” to explore some more and to photograph the wild horses that inhabit it now.  I can hardly wait to witness the beauty of this landscape and the wild horses that inhabit it, in the brilliant colors of fall.

Just another note on the WHOAS 2012 annual fund raising calender, I hope to have these available by October 15, 2011.  It will be in a 14 month format featuring a different picture and story line for each month.  This follows the request of several of our supporters to have the previous December and January in following year included.  We will also have these for sale at the Spruce Meadows Christmas fairs in November.

Again thanks to all those who continue to support us and who write their letters of support to us.  Without your support we could not carry on the work you want us to do in protecting your wild horses.

Bob.

If you happen to be going to the Masters Event at Spruce Meadows, starting next Wednesday, look as up and say hello.  Our booth will be in the Equi-plex building.  September 7 – 11, 2011. 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

At our booth WHOAS will have an informational video, photographs, along with literature on the wild horses.  There will also be art work from some of the local artist who support the work of WHOAS, by making donations of their beautiful work.  These in turn we sell to continue to raise money for our work.

Maximus by G Kohut

Winter bluff by D King

Wild horse hair ceramics by Maxine Walroth

Hope to see you there.

Bob.

A blend of colors

In all the years now I have been working with WHOAS, one of the more positive things I continue to see, is the passion for our wild horses,  that our younger generation displays.  When I go out to different groups and schools giving our presentation on the Alberta wild horses to these beautiful young people, I always stress that is they and not my generation that will make the final difference in the future of our wild horses.

Over the years various young people have come along and made personal donations to WHOAS,  in order  to help us protect and save our wild horses.  One young girl made soap bars and sold them in order to help, a whole class of grade six students had a bake sale and donated the proceeds to WHOAS, one young boy collected pennies as his project for earth day, donating his collection also and there are so many other familiar stories.  It always brings me great joy and optimism that we will indeed save the wild horses of Alberta and maybe it will be one these young people, that will take the job over from me to keep the work of WHOAS going.

When I picked up the mail the other day I was delighted to have a letter from a young girl, Eden.  I have attached it in order that you may also appreciate the unselfish efforts of this young person, trying in her own way to help out organizations that are trying make a difference  in order to help both horses and other creatures in need.

A gift of love

Thank you Eden and all of the other young supporters.  With your help we will make a difference and you do make our work more enjoyable.

Bob.

Summer grazing

Well it appears that summer is finally here in our beautiful Alberta Foothills.  The grass is very lush and green and the wild flowers are showing their brilliant colors over the hillsides and meadows.

Beautiful meadow flowers

The wild horses are enjoying the plentiful and thick forage grasses, which also enables them to extend their ranges this time of year.  This spring’s foals are looking great and the mares, stallions and yearlings now have their proper weight back with no ribs now showing.  Their coats are glossy, showing that they are in great shape.  One of the things though that comes with the summer heat and sunshine, are the pesky insect pests.  In my rides so far this year the bugs have not been a problem.  This past weekend though we had to liberally apply repellant on our horses to keep those horrible horseflies away and keep the pesky mosquitos at bay.

In my studies over the years the wild horses have several ways to help alleviate those bothersome pests.  One is to do what we call tree up.  Here they go into the thick timber and use the tress as tools to sweep the insects off of their bodies.  Another method are their mud baths.

Oh this feels so good

My turn next

Throughout wild horse country there are little pot holes that are 1/2 water and 1/2 mud.  It is in these that the wild horses will roll and cover themselves with this mixture to keep the insects off.  I also believe that it helps their skin in giving them natural nutrients and moisture.   I caught this one herd at one of these mud pots and took great delight in watching them all take turns to roll and splash in it.  The one foal was so cute as it watched and kept walking around the mud hole watching it’s mom and the other members take their turns.  The closest it got was when it put one hoof in the mixture, withdrew it quickly and shook it’s head as if to say, “no way”.

Still learning

Another technique that the wild horses have found is that in certain locations there are mineral licks and some of these have something in them that when the horses ingest it they are not bothered as much by the insects.  I would like to find out what this is and use it for my own horses.

Dirt!! Yummy?

Then of course there is also the personal grooming that all horses use to relieve the itch of bites and scratches.

Oh yeah, right there

The back country has not had as much rain as we have out here in the flat country and the trails are in good shape for this time of the year.  The higher trails though you can still encounter some snow, so ride safe.

Bob.

Resting in the warm sunshine

Summer is finally here and in wild horse country and the grass is growing tall and lush.  A good number of  the wild horse herds have new foals with them.  With some herds it may be only one but with a larger herd, we have counted up to five foals in that particular group.

One observation though, is that with some herds that had foals with them last fall, there are no yearlings, showing that the life of these young wild horses is a very hard and harsh one.  I did photograph two foals, that were in different herds, but roam an area very close to each other.  Both of these young beautiful creatures showed signs of wolf attacks.  Fortunately  their mares and the herds must have fended off their attackers.

Attack survivor, bites on left hip

A lucky one, bite marks on back legs and hips

Then with some of the earlier foals that we had observed in different herds, the foals are gone.  This could be due to weather, sickness or predators.  This evening after I got home, I received a phone call from a concerned  oil well sight operator, of a young foal that was in distress.  Following his directions, I raced out to the general area in order to find the foal and maybe assist it.  Unfortunately by the time I did find it, it was too late.  Despite my best efforts the young thing died as I tried to attend to it.  When I looked up, the herd and  it’s mare were standing off a short distance and just watched me.  I had to cry their tears of sorrow for them.  I did my best to bury the small thing and marked it’s resting site.  So as you can see their little lives are not the easiest.

The good news is that so many of the others are doing just fine and enjoying their new lives.  Two mares that we know of and call Thelma and Louise have almost identical foals born over a week apart.  It was heart-rending to watch them both scratching themselves on a dead bush, to relieve the itch of misquito bites.

Thelma's and Louise's offspring

High mountain babe

Day old grulla foal

This is hard stuff to walk through

Oh, that sun is so nice and warm

Mom that rain is so cold

Very protective stallion

I hope that you enjoy the pictures of some more of this year’s Wild Horses of Alberta, foal crop.  As the summer wears on they will contunue to grow strong as the grazing grass is very lush and plentiful this year.

On another note, the little foal that was rescued earlier by Sandie and her friends now has a name.  On June 21 a naming cermony was held and he was given the name Ganuseda, which in Cherokee means “Ambassador”.  Sandie does hope he will act as an ambassador for it’s free living relatives.  She has started an animated series to tell his story,    �
http://goanimate.com/movie/0E_gKyb1Ie9s?utm_source=linkshare&uid=0itASB1EG–M
It is very cute to watch.  Again thank you to all those that help save Ganu.

Ganuseda ("Ganu")

I have a couple of other notes, while I am typing away.  WHOAS will have an educational display booth at the Spruce Meadows Master’s and we will be situated in the  Equi-plex Building from September 07-11, 2011.  Please drop by to say hello and see what we are all about.  Further we will be there in November at the Christmas Market, November 18-20, 2011, where we will have WHOAS on display and also have for sale at that time our 2012 fund raising calendar.  This year it will be a 14 month one, having a page for December 2011 and one for January 2013, at the request of our followers.

Thanks to all, Bob.

Although I usually try to be soley focused on keeping our members and supporters updated on the wild horses, I thought that I would mention this beautiful performance.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the show at Canada Olympic Park and I found the show to be totally amazing.  The scenery and performers were fantastic but what I saw was the unbelievable relationship this group of people have with their horses.  The bond and trust that these horses have with their trainers is evident throughout the show.  As most of you have read elsewhere, Cavalia adopted two young horses from Kathy and Mike at Bearvalley Rescue.  Cricket and Linus were the first two horses to make their appearance, no halters, just them, amongst all the performers that were on stage.  Unafraid they wandered freely, how beautiful and what an amazing life that they are going to have.

I see this also in so many people who truely love the horse, for what it means to us humans.  With the case of Cavalia I was impressed and I certainly wish that others in our world respected the wild horses here in Alberta the way that they do theirs.

At the beginning of the performance, on the curtains they gave a history of the horse but I truly loved the one quote that indicates how they see their horses.  It was an Arab proverb, ” God’s gift to man was the horse”.  So fitting and how many of us do like to believe it.  Thanks.

Bob.