KBR Horse Net
Training Case Study:

"Thundercloud"
Thundercloud

Life is Getting Tougher on the Range

Drought brings hard times and tough situations as the horse we call "Thundercloud" (for the cloud and lightning bolt scar that appeared on his forehead) found out.

With food running short, bands that would normally spread out over hundreds of miles are congregating where there are bits of remaining grass. These encounters would often result in fierce battles between stallions of different bands.

Thundercloud was one of the most successful stallions in the Virginia Range. He wasn't very big but he had a great deal of spunk. In late 2002 Thundercloud met his match. VRWPA President Sherry O'Mahoney heard a terrific fight between two stallions and saw a battle raging between Thundercloud and a horse named "Bubba" (for his great size.) Finally the larger horse knocked Thundercloud to the ground and stood on his chest where he gave him an additional thrashing. For a finale the victor reached down bit off the exhausted Thundercloud's left ear and was looking to inflict more damage

Sherry raced down the hill, shouting and throwing rocks. After his tormentor left, Thundercloud managed to get back on his feet, beaten and bloodied. Wounded and weak, he was pretty much driven out of the highlands by the other stallions to the lower elevations where he was picked up by the State Brand Inspector near a highway.

Some of his facial injuries
Scars starting to heal

Thundercloud, or "TC" to his human friends, was accepted by LRTC for adoption placement with a group affectionately referred to as "The Fearsome Foursome." Ironically the group was held in Foster Care at Sherry O'Mahoney's where he would see, and stare down Bubba as he made his daily trek across Sherry's property. (While some of the mares would venture close to visit TC and the Foursome, Bubba knew how tough TC could be and stayed back.)
The "Fearsome Foursome"

Continue to Part Two

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