|
|
|
WILD HORSES of STAGECOACH
|
Part Twenty
The Infirmary Band
The social sensitivity of horses is far more complex than we realize and contribute greatly to their success on the range. One aspect that we hadn't realized was that occasionally a stallion would become the guardian of lame or injured horses and form "infirmary bands."
One such stallion is a fellow that the locals call "Big Blaze." He and three of his half brothers were kicked out of the White Face Band when they were about 3 years old. They wandered about as a small bachelor band, creating a little mischief here and there.
The three half brothers calling on a young mare.
One of the three half brothers was killed in a highway accident. "Bandit," the horse that looks like he's wearing a mask took over the Mule Flats band and Big Blaze started accumulating the injured horses. One mare that he befriended had a badly injured leg and Big Blaze would walk slowly letting the mare lean against him for balance. Another stud, "Trooper," joined the group who had hoof problems that affected his ability to walk. Another stud, "Shy Boy" just didn't get along with the more assertive horses.
Keeping the local lawns mowed.
The volunteers, with the help of a veterinarian experienced in working with wild horses, managed to do some corrective work on Trooper's deformed front hooves.
"Squeezing" Trooper to get him sedated.
"Repairs" completed.
Big Blaze and his odd band.
In early 2001 NDoT was making some improvements to US-50 near Iron Mountain Rd. To do so they had to take down the reflectors that kept horses off the highway at night. The night before the reflectors were replaced a band of horses got out onto the highway. A mare and her foal were hit. The mare survived but the foal had to be put down. The mare was hurt fairly seriously and couldn't keep up with her original band so Big Blaze took her in. She eventually healed up and came to term with the foal she had been carrying. The locals named her "Chex" due to a distinctive white check mark on her rump.
Chex and newborn "Stevie."
The group going out for a morning run.
Chex and Stevie.
|
