Last month’s Bucket Fund suffered a bit because we couldn’t get photos of the Bachelor Band of 8 and the lone Stallion when they were in prison.
The only photos I had were of the young boys when they were free and roaming Steamboat Valley.
But, today I have pics!
LOOK at this gorgeous group of young boys while they were in prison.
This was one of the only photos I had of some of this Bachelor group when we were fundraising last month. This shot was when they were still free and roaming Steamboat Valley.
WHAT WAS THEIR FATE?
These Bachelor Boys of 8 were an everyday part of the lives of the citizens of Steamboat Valley. The townspeople had watched these horses grow from foals to weanlings and then watched as they were banished into their own little herd.
When the Dept of Ag got them, the town was heartbroken. They sprung into action, trying to find temporary housing, put up fences, gather money for bail and food, set up transportation… everything as fast as possible so that the horses could be saved.
Since The American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, always does well by the wild ones and did indeed bail these boys! Hidden Valley Wild Horse Protection Fund transported/housed and will continue to feed and train them.
When called upon, I was thrilled to help. The Horse and Man Group donated $905 to feed them once sprung.
As promised, the AWHPC bailed the Band of 8 and the lone (ex)stallion. Yay!
The Band of 8 went to temporary holding while their new digs are being prepared. These 8 will learn some basic rules that will help them in their new environment (haltering, farrier…). Those that seem willing will be given further training and eventually adopted out to vetted townspeople who had come to their aid.
This is Buckaroo who was adopted by a Mustang Savvy Steamboat Valley resident immediately. He is beautiful but also a handful.
Cowboy, the lone stallion who was rounded up while he was running with cattle, was released into the very large and established herd protected and cared for by the American Wild Horse Preservation Fund.
In this large herd, Cowboy will be able to make friends. It would not have been safe for him to be released into the already established Band of 8 Bachelors. Besides… being in the large herd is more fun, I think, anyway…!
- This is Cowboy – the lone (ex) stallion who was found running with cattle. He’s pictured here in prison. Gorgeous.
PHOTO JOURNAL OF THE BACHELOR 8 RESCUE AND RELEASE!
Here they are in prison, gorgeous and healthy.
Here is the first group of 4 being pushed into the trailers to leave prison.
This is the second set going down the chutes to leave prison.
The first group being released into temporary holding while their new pasture is being readied.
The second group is released… you can see their neighbors have a keen interest!
The little herd meets up and assembles.
- Back to calm as they await their new life… safe although not roaming free in Steamboat Valley – they will be in a very large ranch setting – and not headed towards Mexico or Canada.
THIS IS COWBOY BEING RELEASED
Cowboy in prison. He was picked up while running with cattle. The herd protected him so the Dept of Ag had to round up the entire herd just to capture Cowboy. Then they released the cattle. Sad.
Cowboy being pushed into his trailer.
Cowboy being set free into the already established wild herd maintained by the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign.
He trots off to meet his new friends!
All together…
Here he is, bucking and playing and establishing himself.
THANK YOU EXPERIENCED HANDLERS!
Thanks to all the experienced handlers who arranged for the safe pickup, trailering and release of these healthy and thriving boys!
APRIL BUCKET FUND… This is Summer Raffo on one of her beautiful Arabians… she was lost in the mudslide. Summer leaves her 19 horses – Summer’s horses are our April Bucket Fund. Click image to help!
