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Note: This document is a continuation of Part Two.
More Specific Observations
In Parts One and Two we spoke of more general objectives and observations. In Part Three we will discuss specific situations and how they were dealt with.
For the most part the helicopter tended to move somewhat lazily over the valley floor. The idea was to move the horses along, not stir them up and scatter them. Even under those conditions a member of a band could duck into some cover or take off on its own. The pilot would advise riders by radio who would bring in the "stray." The band would be reunited at the trap site.
A foal was guided to the trap to rejoin its band.
(It was content to stay with the riders and wasn't roped until close to the trapsite equipment.)
The Judas horses were pretty interesting. They knew their job and one time when a band stalled inside the trap wings, the Judas horse turned around and bobbed his head as if to say, "Guys, you don't get it. Follow me." When the pilot flared some dust behind the band in the trap, the Judas horse turned and ran into the trap as if to say, "Run away!" The band became "unstuck" and loped in behind him.
The pilot flaring some dust to encourage the band to follow the Judas horse.
Easing along behind the band to keep them following the Judas horse.
When we first reached the trapsite we were surprised to see a big rig at the site. We understood the bands were bring brought down in small groups in stock trailers and we were amazed that a big rig could even get back to the trap. We soon discovered the explanation.
One nursing mare got really upset about being herded into the stock trailer. After several attempts there was reasonable concern that she might hurt herself and the activity was upsetting her foal. The trapsite radioed for the big rig that was down at the sorting pens. They managed to maneuver it up to the trapsite, loaded the stud and foal into the much less confining space, and the mare followed them in. This whole operation took about 20 minutes to protect one horse.
The big rig backing up to the trapsite.
Taking the "special handling" animals safely down to the sorting pens.
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