15/01/2025
This is a photo from more than eight years ago. Some of you might have heard this story but so many new people and it is worth repeating.
I was driving on the rutted Jeep trail just taking a couple hours away from the office in the middle of the day. I see Blue, our handsome band stallion and his big band up the hill to my left and scattered across the side of the hill and Old Socks and his big band to the right, spread out on a more level area. All seemed normal at first but then I realized that Blue appears to be "busy." He is walking up one hill, convincing one of his near three-year-old fillies to accompany him down the hill. The filly was Gabby and then he grabbed her little sister, nearly two-year-old, Annie Oakly, he then hiked with both fillies to pick up his favorite Aunty, Lilly. This was only unusual since the fillies Momma, Lady stood on the top of the hill, by herself grazing on cheat grass. She made no effort to follow but watched intently, between bites of grass. The other horses all stood in place but quietly observed Blue and his activities. No one attempted to follow Blue. The movement of Blue and the mare and two fillies was purposeful. He was moving with intent and was busy doing something. I watched, fascinated and wondering what was happening. Blue had a plan and was implementing the plan.
It got more amazing as I quietly watched from the driver's seat of my Toyota Highlander. Blue walked with the three mares, one mature and two young fillies about fifty feet from the trail. He stopped, and the mares stopped. I realized he instructed them to wait. Lilly stood with the two lovely young ladies, standing in place and watching Blue as he walked down the hill and stood near a stud pile of manure in the center of the Jeep trail. Old Socks, (Who was not old at the time, he was in his prime) took note of Blue's presence and trotted forward to greet him. The two band stallions touched noses, sniffed each other's flanks, squealed and pawed with conviction. They each pooped on the stud pile and took turns sniffing the manure. I understood at the time; they were clearly having a discussion, and I could only wonder what it was about.
Old Socks returned to his band and Blue returned to his ladies. I watched Old Socks as he cut out three mares, all senior mares in his band. Old Mama up front. The three mares stood apart from the rest of the band. Old Socks walked with purpose towards Blue and his three ladies. He sniffed noses with Gabby and Annie. He ignored Lilly, as she was not being offered to him. Lilly is the Aunty who was there to keep the young girls calm and focused. Old Socks made his choice and invited Gabby to join him. He turned and walked slowly to his three senior mares with Gabby following at his flank. They walked to the mares and Gabby walked into the group of three mares. She stood politely and the three mares talked and sniffed, and they just stood side by side. Normally feisty Gabby was incredibly polite and respectful to the three mares. I completely understood that Gabby was in an interview. Old Socks returned to the mares after a long ten minutes and the four mares and Old Socks walked to the rest of the band. All the band members said hello to Gabby and she stayed in the middle of the large band for at least ten or fifteen minutes. I scratched my head in amazement.
And then suddenly the party was over and Old Socks nudged Gabby and the two trotted back to Blue, who was waiting in the same spot with Lilly and Annie Oakly. Both mares and Blue intently watching as Old Socks rejoined them with Gabby. Blue and Old Socks touch noses and Old Socks turned and returned to his band. Blue and his ladies turned and Blue escorted them back to Lady. As soon as they turned to go back to Blue's band, Gabby and her little sister Annie were Giddy. It is a mood I will never forget. They kicked up their heels and galloped back and they ran to Momma with arched necks, with Lilly trotting behind. I could almost hear the two young fillies, with amazing enthusiasm, telling Mom about their adventure.
I picked up the phone to tell Deb Walker about what I had witnessed, knowing she was one of the few people who would truly know I was not exaggerating. It is a memory I will never forget. I told Deb, "Blue just gave his fillies to our charming Old Socks. I will give it a few days and Gabby will be in his band. .. just wait. Sure enough, in a few days we pulled up to Old Socks band and there was Gabby, a welcomed member of the band, and a week later Annie Oakly joined her sister. Two high ranking fillies were presented as a gift by one band stallion to another.
Wild horses are not just dumb animals wandering around looking for food and water. They wake up with a plan and a strategy. Just amazing. Absolutely amazing.
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