A phone picture with three horses came to me on Saturday afternoon. Kate, a friend and fellow board member of the Mustang Center, was asking, “Who is this with Fools Crow?” The picture made it fairly easy to see the unique face marking and colors of Jewel and Mercuria. We jumped in my Jeep and headed toward the Range. Fools Crow had himself a new family. Big news for the day that was definitely worthy of a last minute trip. It sure turned out to be a special day for us.
Fools Crow, Jewel, and Mercuria were grazing right near the road on Mustang Flats. Other visitors were equally captivated by the trio.
Fools Crow, Jewel, and Mercuria
The older horses remained fairly aloof, while Mercuria showed her typical filly curiosity.
Fools Crow
Jewel
Mercuria
Earlier, another photographer had told Kate that Hidalgo and his band were down in the area just below Mustang Flats. We hiked out there but did not see any other horses. It sure would be interesting to know the events that led to this interchange between Hidalgo and Fools Crow. Perhaps, someone witnessed it, but for us, it is just one of those mysteries.
As we were heading out of Mustang Flats, Fools Crow, Jewel, and Mercuria were walking towards water at Layout Creek.
Jewel & Mercuria… Playful mother and daughter
My son, Matthew, and his wife, Kimberly had the privilege of finding Fools Crow on the day of his birth. From that day, he has had a special place in our hearts. So it was exciting to see him today with a new family. Only time will tell if the band will stay together long. But for now we will enjoy this new stage of his life.
Pryor Mountain Wild Horses: Fools Crow, Jewel, and Mercuria
As we were heading home, we had yet another special experience. As we turned one of the corners in the curved part of the road between Booz Canyon and Sullivan’s Knob, two grullo horses were walking down the road. It was Merlin and Johnston.
Merlin
Johnston
We pulled off right near a mud puddle created by the week’s rain. Well, to us it might be a mud puddle, but for the horses it was a water source.
Water is precious on the Dryhead
These two horses, for me, represent the past and the future. Merlin is a legend on the Range. Johnston is an up and coming powerhouse.
Merlin
Johnston
Another portrait of Johnston
An added bonus for the day was seeing a band of Big Horn Sheep in the same vicinity of Merlin and Johnston. The ewes and the lambs were resting quietly in the deep ditch below the road.
Big Horn Ewe and Lamb
“Little Big Horn”
PryorWild 