Mustangs at the North Soda area of the Little Book Cliffs (click to enlarge)
There is something very special about wild horses and it’s difficult to verbalize this feeling. I’ve seen many horses before but only the mustangs provide me with a shiver of excitement as if I was on a Safari in Africa. There are very few places in the world where this magnificent animal lives in the wild. Some of the wild horses live not far from my house in the Little Book Cliffs area, which can be accessed by driving over 20 miles off road past the town of DeBeque. When viewed from Grand Junction (or from the South) the Book Cliffs look harsh and inhospitable. It is a real surprise to drive through dry, high desert and suddenly arrive at lush green area where the mustangs live. The place looks like an oasis by comparison with the rugged and dry terrain that you have to drive to get there.
A wild horse (mustang) (click to enlarge)
It was a short, spontaneous trip late in the afternoon with my Mom, Wiktor, and Todd. Next time I will go there earlier and explore more terrain.
Admiring the horses: Todd, Mom, Wiktor (click to enlarge)
A beautiful Stallion (click to enlarge)
NOT horses but I couldn’t resist. This area is full of wildlife. (click to enlarge)
They are not timid but none of the wld horses will let you get too close to them. (click to enlarge)
Surrounding terrain. (click to enlarge)
Todd with Wiktor (click to enlarge)
I am glad that Wiktor saw the wild horses. Three years ago I went with Tomek to Coal Canyon and mustangs gave him a spectacular show.
Mustangs in Coal Canyon. (click to enlarge)
Mustangs in Coal Canyon. (click to enlarge)
Mustangs in Coal Canyon. (click to enlarge)
With my brother Tomek in November 2005. (click to enlarge)
Wild horses in Coal Canyon. (click to enlarge)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: little book cliffs, mustang, wild horse
What amazing photos! I need directions, I love horses and you are correct about their breathtaking beauty when you see them in the wild.
Ginger, when the weather cools down and my summer slows down I would love to explore these areas with you.
Looking forward to it!
Martin,
You got some great photos. I am up there at least twice a week ( at least in the summer, the winter I go less frequently). They really are breathtaking to watch.
Billie
I can tell that this is not the first time at all that you write about the topic. Why have you chosen it again?
what lovely horses dont ya love mustangs they are just so wild
compatriots!
Status Update Wednesday, 02 September 2009 16:48
The DC District Court Judge denied our request for a Temporary Restraining Order. We are not giving up on these horses though– KEEP CALLING YOUR SENATORS and CONGRESS PEOPLE, All MEDIA OUTLETS and tell your friends– this is another treasure being destroyed if we can’t stop this unneccessary, callous and massive roundup.
We will do our best to keep you updated- the round up is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Thursday Sept. 3 and over the next few days or week the BLM plans to remove over 70 horses– from older mares and stallions to young foals. Don’t give up.
Who Has Been Hired to Round Up Cloud’s Herd? Wednesday, 02 September 2009 14:28
Dave Cattoor is a contractor hired by the BLM to perform wild horse round-ups. He and his wife and son run a business largely funded by the American taxpayer to harass and remove wild horses and burros. He was indicted by a federal grand jury and pled guilty to illegally hunting wild horses, aiding and abetting in 1992. He rounded up protected American mustangs, corralled into pens, loaded them into trucks, and hauled them to a slaughter house in Texas where they lost their lives. It was government theft and animal abuse. Among wild horse and burro advocates, he has a reputation of being cruel and inhumane. Photographs of newborn foals run to exhaustion, found hog tied on the range, horses and burros bleeding from their nostrils, broken legs and injured during exhausting gallops to captured pens are displayed on many wild horse and burro web sites.
He is currently being investigated by the Department of Interior Inspector General for procurement fraud. It is known from federal contracting web sites that he has earned 13 million dollars since 2000 for which records are available. It is believed he has earned more than 21 million dollars since his conviction. Both he and his wife spoke separately before the Wild Horse and Advisory Board in 2009 and advocated for the continued use of helicopter round ups in an attempt to influence the boards recommendation to continue their lucrative contracting business. Federal law prohibits the use of contractors that have been convicted of a crime. Generally, a indictment would eliminate a contractor from consideration. However, Mr. Cattoor has been rewarded and made a millionaire many times over by the BLM despite the public outrage.
Fully knowing the public’s concern about Mr. Dave Cattoor ‘s inhumane practices, the BLM Billings, Montana office have denied humane groups request to placed humane observers on the ground with full access during the Pryor round to ensure animals are treated humanely. Wild horses advocates have advised the BLM Billlings office as well as BLM officials in Washington DC that foals only day old and heavily pregnant mares are among those the contractor plans to run long distances for captured.
Click Here for more information about Dave Cattoor
Click Here to see a Helicopter Removal Pictorial
Article from Honoring Freedom: The Ride to Save America’s Wild Horses Wednesday, 02 September 2009 14:18
American Indian Leaders and others concerned about BLM’s wild horse management gather for Ceremony to honor the land and pray for the safety of the horses
Download PDF Here
Legal Battle to Save Clouds herd Wednesday, 02 September 2009 12:37
See Documents Who Has Been Hired to Round Up Cloud’s Herd Tuesday, 01 September 2009 15:02
Click Here to visit The Cloud Foundations YouTube page.
Congressman Raul Grijalva calls for BLM to stop Roundup Friday, 28 August 2009 00:00
Congressman Raul Grijalva calls for BLM to stop Roundup not only of Cloud’s Herd but of all Wild Horses and Burros
Download full PDF here!
Crow Elder & Historian Speaks Against Roundup Tuesday, 01 September 2009 00:00
Howard Boggess, Member of the Crow Tribe of Indians, Elder and Historian talks about the Pryor Wild Horses he’s known all his life. Mr. Boggess discusses what could happen if the roundup of Cloud’s herd goes forward on Sept. 4th. Everything that is against the law for me they are planning to do to these horses. This is a very sad thing as far as I’m concerned. The horses have lived here for over 200 years. Even under the harassment of the BLM they’ve survived since 1971.
Keep calling Secretary of Interior Salazar, BLM Director Bob Abbey, the Billings BLM Office and President Obama.
http://www.thecloudfoundation.org/index.php/donate-now