I ended the blog post titled Yellowtail Swimming Hole sharing my belief that the Lord had an encounter with the wild mustangs that was just for me. That a special moment would happen and I would know without a doubt it was intended for me. That is all I had was belief that had well up in me. Truthfully this doesn’t happen often to me. I had no conscious idea of how it would happen or when it would happen. Simply a belief that it would. This happened on a Sunday. Fast forward to Wednesday when a friend of my sister offered to take me to the Prior Horse Range. This time we were driving to the top of the range and the top of the Pryor Mountains. The Yellowtail, where we had been swimming a few days before was visible from our location on the mountain.
But first we spent about 2 – 3 hours driving. The first half of that time we were on paved roads, but the last half was a rutted, bumpy, dirt track. The closer we came to the top, the worse the ruts, it seemed. I was naushas going up and down the mountain. Oh, no worries, I would do it all over again. The experience at the top was worth it all. Life is like that too, isn’t it?
We finally reached this sign, but no mustangs in sight.
A short while later we pulled to the side of the two track drive. My new found friends believed this area to be one of two watering holes in this area of the mustang range. Here was a sign with a few need to know facts and important behaviors to maintain around the wild horses. As a horse owner for over 30 years who had earned a reputation (I have been told) for being a bit crazy, I honestly did not give much thought to the ‘rules’. I felt super excited to be on the mustang range…now to see some wild mustangs!!! I am not sure if I realized at this time that this range was home to Cloud. Cloud, made famous by the 3 part PBS series to increase awareness for wild mustangs, lived out his life of 20 years under the watchful, but non-intrusive, presence of humans with cameras rolling.
Wild horse habitat had my attention. The dry forage, trails and this beautiful watering hole, but so far no mustangs.
There was one more watering hole to check out farther on ahead. Oh when I think of physical peace on earth, it was the time spent on this mountain top! A similar feeling to what I often had when foaling out mares. The view that appeared before me became eye candy to my soul.
I bask in the breezes and deeply smelled the fresh mountain air as I found myself walking across the mountain top.
I told my compainions, “Don’t mind me, I am gonna go be with the horses.” I took a deep breath as I walked away down the hill. To translate my meaning..“I am gonna go be one with the horses.” After all, I knew the Lord had a special moment for me, as promised a few days earlier.
A cremello colt caught my eye and I ambled that direction.
Camera in hand, I took pictures of 3 adults and 2 foals walking along.
I did not see a stallion with this group, odd I thought. I took a few more steps toward 4 horses to my right. I seen a stallion, obvious to me, root his nose in the air, toward the other 3 horses directing them to run towards me.
My thoughts were racing. ‘Nothing around to hide behind‘ as my first instinct was to run and hide. Next idea: An embankment, ‘perhaps if I could reach the other side it would offer some protection’. I took two steps to my right only to realize the timing did not work for that plan. If continued on that path those 3 horses would plow me over. On the path ahead of me the stallion charged toward me, ears pinned back.
Now I have been rushed by a stallion before, but NOT a wild one! At which time while somewhat fearful, I side stepped at the last minute to avoid being trampled. This was different. I felt scared, picturing a rearing, stomping, wild stallion. I am not sure scared truly defines the emotions I felt. Terrified might be more accqurate, as my mind logically realized potential death by trampling. I planted my feet. As he barreled toward me, I waited briefly until he was almost a stride and a half from me. I extended my arms out in front of me, placing one hand over the other and clasping my fingers together. Intuitively, I waited for the perfect time, feet still planted, I decisively pushed my hands up and down in short motions. These movements communicate to a horse that I am creating a boundry or in human terms personal space. Amazingly he shifted his direction and ran by me, kicking out as he went by. Perhaps he was being playful or defiant, but at least he was respectful of my communication to him. I immediately dropped my hands, shoulders, and head to indicate I presented no threat. I might have snuck a peak over my shoulder to see his response, an ear was cocked my way. Guess I had his attention.
As I walked up back up towards the others, I felt alive, more alive than I had in some time. Exhilerated might describe it, but I don’t know that I have felt quite the way I was feeling before or since. “I don’t want to do it ever again, but that was AWESOME!!!!” , was my statement. Denise told me, “I was sure we were going to need to have you life-flighted off the mountain.”
Another look at the stallion I later learned had a name. His ear was still cocked my direction. I snapped a quick picture.
How special to have a moment of communication with a wild stallion, I thought. I will be honest, I had a desire to continue interacting with him, but my common sense and logic won. A reminder from my fellow man regarding the rule to stay 100 feet from the horses chided my wish. “Perhaps another day, in another place and time the opportunity will present itself,” I consoled my desire with that thought. I decided to be happy with the moments I had been given.
In awe, I strolled, at safe distance from the other bands, and took pictures.
Remember the first watering hole we stopped at? One more treat awaited me back there…to be continued.
Denise and her husband kindly transported and shared this adventure. Denise takes beautiful pictures and owns a better camera. Generously, She allowed me to use photos of me shot the day we experienced this story. Credit for her photos are noted under applicable pictures. Every year she offers calendars for sale featuring Wyoming wildlife. To order your own beautiful calendar, email her at:
dconnelly1970@gmail.com
Read other posts about the Pryor Mountain horse range:
Pryor Mountain Horse Range ~ part 2