July 30, 2023January 21, 2024 by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

The Mustang Walkabout™ 2023

Getting ready

It’s less than a week before our Mustang Walkabout™ begins. I have a new camera this year (Canon 5D Mark IV), and a new lens. I will bring my old Canon 7D with the new lens (24-105mm). My camera bag/knapsack weighs more than my suitcase, so I have a luggage cart (and a ton of bungee). It is compliant with carry on size, and I simply remove my iPad and I’m good for the flight. My wardrobe consists of lightweight shorts, polo shirts, work boots, Crocs for relaxation at the campsite, and the usual undergarments. Karen has all my toiletries packed in Arizona, and I bring my medications, and any personal items.

All new camera cards. I start purchasing next year’s cards when I return. approximately one or two per month. This way it isn’t a huge expenditure right before the Walkabout. Karen is on Facetime.

We both carry snake gaiters into the horse range, and use them if we have to tread where we cannot see our feet. The Prairie Rattlesnake is the only venomous snake found in Sand Wash Basin. They are small, reclusive, and prefer to escape, rather than fight.

My car service picks me up early Wednesday and my flight leaves at 6am. I’m on the train to New York City for a busy and fun day at my medical office. I always find it amazing that I will be in the Basin tomorrow, but seeing patients today in NYC. Stay tuned for daily blog posts from the 2023 Mustang Walkabout.

Karen is a already on her way to the Basin… with her faithful pug companion, Koko.

July 29, 2023August 13, 2023 by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

2023 Mustang Walkabout™: Day 9th: Thursday

Our last full day Basin went well. We saw a ton of horses, and moved the trailer to the entrance to facilitate departing early tomorrow. We drive to Denver which takes about 7-8 hours because of the trailer. My flight leaves Saturday from Denver International Airport.

The weather has been spectacular, ranging from 70s-80s 6°F (21-26.6°C ) and dropping to the low 50s°F (10°C) at night. There were some thunder storms, which make the Basin extremely treacherous when the rainfall turns the roads to soup.

People ask what we out on the range, so we’ll start with breakfast. We generally stick to foods that can be made with water: oatmeal, cream of wheat, and coffee. Sometime cold cereal is eaten out of a container if we’re hungry later in the morning. We have ice most of the time (we go to town 1.25 hours away from our campsite every 2-3 three days), so our beverages are kept cool along with cheese and deli meat which constitutes lunch. We discovered ‘Snarky Tea’ this trip which is made in the sun (sun tea). They have caffeinated, and decaf options and for those of you in a more civilized environment, you can make it in the fridge.

The afternoon was spent visiting waterholes all over the Basin. Horses drink between 15-35 liters daily, more if they are lactating/pregnant, injured, or the temperature is high. We check the waterholes and the surrounding areas for horses. It can take time to find horses since Sand Wash Basin is so large (157,730 square acres/63,831,0663.square meters). After a winter of heavy snowfall, the Basin has water. The downside is many horses perished, although precise counts are not possible while the horses are scattered across the Basin because the terrain is difficult to traverse.

This stallion took his time walking off the road.

July 29, 2023August 9, 2023 by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

2023 Mustang Walkabout™: Day 7th: Tuesday

Today was spent entirely in the Basin. The weather was iffy, so we didn’t go to far from camp. We did see a lot of horses on Lookout Mountain, and a few bands came into Copper Pond.

Karen is a brilliant artist. She wanted to paint a horse from life, and Meteor and his bachelor band obliged us by standing still for an hour. It was uncanny, and almost as if they knew she was painting a portrait. The storm over the Bears Ears also held off as well. The horses: Mr. Kitty (grey), Astro (black), Orion (bay), Coronado (dark/liver chestnut pinto), Remington (chestnut), Meteor (palomino pinto). Our family named Orion when he was a wee colt, 2014.

Finally, I rescued a Prairie Rattlesnake off the road this morning. The weather has been cooler l, and they are sunning on the road to warm up. Under no circumstances should you attempt this yourself; we carry a snake hook and I know how to use it.

We move the snake because they are inadvertently killed because they blend in with the road, or deliberately killed because some people are butt heads. Either way, the little fella is safe off the road.

The day ended with a rainbow and some beautiful light over the Bears Ears. Good night all!

July 29, 2023August 10, 2023 by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

2023 Mustang Walkabout™: Day 8th: Wednesday

Today we had the unique opportunity to attend the Moffat County Tourism Association Monthly Board Meeting. At the meeting, Pat Craig of the Wild Horse Refuge, was invited to speak. Pat patiently answered questions and gave a more depth explanation regarding the refuge’s business model. Eventually, the goal is for the public as to be able to see the horses by appointment. There will be no fee, but a donation is appreciated.

He put to rest concerns that the horses might be fed to the predators at the other facility run by the WildAnimal Sanctuary. Pat said the carnivores are fed via donated meat from retail stores such as Walmart. They receive 100,000 lbs of meat weekly. The Refuge horses and property cost approximately 14 million dollars, so why would he spend that sort of money to provide snacks for carnivores?

The Animal Sanctuary is very well equipped and funded. At the Wild Horse Refuge they have:

-Snow cats & D6’s for snow, they are aware of the snowfall in Colorado and are prepared

-Three vets on staff & farrier

-Range specialist surveying the land to ensure the appropriate number of horses. 3,500 of their acreage is BLM land. They are paying a lease for the land.

-Eventually 100-200 horses total

-They pay taxes even as a not-for profit; this help the community

-They buy all supplies from local merchants

-They own fire trucks, fire equipment and have helped communities with this equipment in emergencies

-They have hay, abundant water sources, and generous supplies of fencing and other repair equipment (graders, backhoes, big hoes etc)

We returned to the Basin for the evening and found some old friends at a waterhole. We got some stunning photos with spectacular lighting.

Goodnight friends, from the Basin

July 29, 2023August 9, 2023 by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

2023 Mustang Walkabout™: Day 4th, 5th and 6th: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Saturday was a town day. We go into town for supplies (ice mostly), and showers, and gas for the truck. We usually go in in the morning, and spend the rest of the afternoon for photography. We did take time out for weather. Weather at Sand Wash, in particular, thunderstorms, can be quite dangerous the road turn to soup, and roll-overs have been known to occur.

Sunday we had a wonderful time at the Piceance HMA with Kathy, the president of the advocacy group for that HMA. It is larger than Sand Wash, and very rugged. The horses are solid colored, and perfectly lovely. The advocacy group does wonderful things for these horses.

Monday was a highlight of our 2023 Mustang Walkabout. We went to The Wild Horse Refuge approximately thirty miles from Sand Wash Basin. One hundred horses from the Sand Wash Gather will live here on 22,500 acres. It was wonderful to see some old friends. Both Karen McLain Studio and Equus ferus -Wild horse Photography each purchased one acre. Please check them out here