The American west is home to thousands of untamed, free-roaming horses that are descendants of horses brought here by Spanish explorers. Many live in this area of Wyoming, this particular group being the White Mountain wild horses, located near historic Pilot Butte. I am always amazed that they can survive the bitter cold winters. They look hardy and are handsome animals. I've added some views of the high desert terrain that is home for these horses. Many of the bands are highly mobile, and I might not see them again over the course of the summer. They live in a vast sagebrush desert with few trees. There are mountains and steep canyons into which the horses can disappear. Sometimes the horses will allow a close approach, sometimes they won't. Some horses are more curious than others and will approach me when I am shooting. Sometimes the foals will drift too close and a mare or stallion will block their approach or even take a nip at them. On occasion a band will drift right by me. Again, these horses are wild and are not fenced nor do they live in a sanctuary. They share the high desert with elk, deer, antelope, and other wild critters. There are numerous domestic sheep in this area. I am sure there are predators such as mountain lions.

As of August 2011 the BLM is planning to roundup and remove most of the horses from this and surrounding areas. A few will be returned but the mares will be given birth control drugs. Originally BLM was going to castrate all the stallions but this plan was thwarted by legal action in Washington DC. These horses live in vast deserts and they are often hard to find. Their numbers actually seem to be declining. Many more sheep and cattle are allowed to graze on federal land than horses. It appears that there will be very few foals in the future.

9/3/2011 I've made several trips through the White Mountain area and horses are few and far between. I've seen two bands. I've seen zero foals and they might be a thing of the past. About the only sure thing on White Mountain right now is getting a flat tire. I see folks with flats almost every time I go there. Sections of the road were "repaired" with dirt containing crushed rocks. They are sharp! Be prepared if you plan to visit.

5/5/12 I have seen several foals this week, about 6 in all, and several mares appear ready to deliver, so the impact on foals from the roundup is not as bad as I had anticipated - at least in this area of the White Mountain Management Area.