KBR Wild Horse and Burro Information Sheet

  "HARD LUCK" BUCKSKINS
IN SEARCH OF WATER
Part One

March 20, 2007

The Windswept Acres area of Silver Springs.
I was called out to check a complaint of a wild horse caught in a fence. A band of horses looking for water managed to get separated on opposite sides of a barbed wire fence and were getting tangled up trying to get back together. The problem was located in the Windswept Acres area of Silver Springs, on the northwest fringe of Silver Springs just before the valley drops down into Stagecoach. It turned out that this was perhaps the most notable band that remained in the Virginia Range Herd.

What I found was the well known Geiger Buckskins, also known as the Toll Rd. Buckskins. These horses originally ranged near Fernley but were relocated to the Virginia Highlands as development around Fernley encroached on their traditional habitat. Until the Andrew fire destroyed their grass, the band grazed the western slopes of Geiger Grade below SR-341 near Toll Rd. and were a favorite of tourists who could observe them from the scenic overlook. They had wandered into the outskirts of Reno after their range had burned off so tthey were trapped and were relocated deeper into the Highlands. This time the band settled into north-central Lyon County just north of Silver Springs and Stagecoach.

Spring, 2004.
Looking down from SR-341 at Peacemaker's Band (left) and the Buckskin Band (right)
before the "Andrew Fire" burned off much of the western face of Geiger Grade.
The winter of 2006/07 has been another dry one and Nevada is already the most arid state in the union. Several of the local springs used by horses and wildlife have been drying up and are little more than damp seeps.

On Monday, March 19th I had received an email and phone call reporting a band of wild horses in search of water. They had drunk down the tanks from a small cattle grazing lot where the cows had recently been removed and residents were concerned about them. Volunteers were attempting to identify the band and establish an alternative water source that would be viewed favorably by the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture. (While it is not illegal to leave water for wildlife and wild horses, it is advisable to coordinate such activities so as not to lure horses into congested areas or across busy highways.)

It turns out that the horses had apparently smelled water in a fenced private residence. One had found its way inside but couldn't get back to the other horses. When the resident opened a gate to try to get the lone horse out, several other horses came in. She placed a running garden hose outside the fence in hopes of luring them all out, however the horses inside the fence simply dragged the hose back onto their side. At this point the horses began tussling with each other over the water and one got caught up in the fence for a short time.

The resident recognized that this situation was only likely to get worse so she called for help. Wild horse mentors Sharon and Willis Lamm, Bob Retzer and Denise Walker responded to reunite the horses before one got hurt. Bob Retzer brought a camera and took the photos used in this feature.

"Bubba" the band stallion looks on.

Moving wild horses safely within a confined area takes planning and patience. In this instance we needed to move both groups of horses together so they would tend to stay together. Otherwise the horses being moved would want to break off and rejoin the other horses on the other side of the fence while still remaining on the wrong side of the fence. We also decided let the horses drink for a while so they would be less reluctant to leave the water. The mentors agreed upon a strategy that would move the animals safely. We quietly moved the horses towards a small open gate and also placed the running hose outside the fence to prevent the horses assembling outside from trying to push down the fence to get to the water that was left inside.

Both groups of horses needed to be moved at one time.
A mare stopping on the way out to investigate a stack of straw.
"Ooops. Caught me."
Getting everyone moving.

Continue to Part Two

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