Happy Sunday and Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates!

I was happy to be back in the park yesterday.  While the calendar may say Spring, seemingly out of nowhere, it started snowing yesterday!  Nothing in the forecast suggested that more white stuff was on the way.  Mother Nature at her finest for sure!

The snow was that magical kind of snow.  You know, the big fluffy flakes that fall slowly from the sky.  At this time of the year, we don’t mind the snow so much.  Rumor has it that it will be almost 70 degrees here on Wednesday!  Mother Nature at her finest indeed!

As I entered the Park, I was greeted by Stallion Teton and his band.  They were hurrying down the road, on a mission for sure, as they moved toward their destination.  I managed to get ahead of them so I could be out of their way and watch them as they moved along the Loop Road.  For those of you who aren’t aware, the Loop Road is inside the fenced park and the horses and other animals use it frequently to move around the park.  The speed limit is 25-35 mph and visitors know to expect wildlife in the road. 

The magical snow was falling at just the right time as these magical wild horses were making their way to the river for one of their daily trips to water for the day.  Adding to the blessing, was watching them run past me as they made their way down the hill and to the river.  That feeling never gets old and always takes my breath away!

As I watched Tetons band disappear at the river, I heard more hoof prints on the pavement behind me.  Stallion Nicols and his band were working hard to catch up to Teton’s band.  The two bands have been together a lot.  We believe it is Nicols that wants to be closer to Teton.  Teton DOES let Nicols know when he has had enough of him being so close.  Nicols doesn’t always get the message!

I was blessed a second time as the magical snow continued to fall.  Now Nicols and his band were making their way toward the river, and I got to experience the sheer power, freedom and majesty of each one of them as they ran past me down to the river for a much-needed drink.  I wasn’t the only one that was blessed.  Several other cars stopped and pulled over to take in the magic of the moment.  The sparkle in people’s eyes and the smiles on their faces let you know that they experienced the magic too. 

What were they running from?

Who knows!  Possibly a band of bachelor’s that have been giving them a hard time.  Maybe they were spooked by something else in the area.  Maybe it was the magic of the fresh falling snow!  Just maybe, they were simply running because they can. 

Maybe they simply enjoy living their lives wild and free in the only home they have ever known.

After a busy couple of weeks of work to raise awareness, talk to reporters, have meetings and work to make sure these amazing horses stay right where they are, days like yesterday are reminders for me on exactly what we are fighting for – that magic that these amazing horses give to all of us. 

That magic exists for each one of us that take the time to document them, photograph them and share their stories with all of you.  That magic exists for each one of you taking the time to read this and other stories or enjoy the photographs of these amazing horses.  That magic can even exist within you from a “once upon a time” visit to the park where you were able to experience these amazing horses for yourself.  In some way, the magic of these amazing wild horses has touched you. 

THIS is truly what we are fighting for.  The chance for these amazing wild horses to simply live wild and free just as they have since they were fenced into the park in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s.

Now we need to make sure that future generations always get the chance to have the same experiences.

In the book I am reading: Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston and Her Fight to Save the Mustang by Alan J. Kania, she talked a lot about this too.

“Velma and Charlie believed adults owed children something more meaningful than a mechanical pat on the head and an empty smile.  The Johnstons tried to instill a sense of faith in themselves supported by the faith adults had in the next generation.”

There is still a lot on our Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates “to-do” list to make sure these horses are safe.  We do hope that we can continue to count on your support for the long haul as our Fight for the Spirit of the Badlands continues. 

TODAY is the last day that we have to raise $1,000 and have those funds matched by a generous donor.  We are within $100 of maximizing that donation.  Can you help us reach this goal?  There are a number of ways that you can donate on our website:  https://chwha.org/support-chwha/ You can also hit the donate button on any of our social media posts.  You can also click here to make a donation now: https://secure.everyaction.com/FbY2_tNxQU6Ehc9K2RsjZw2

We hope you have a wonderful holiday.  More than anything, we hope that you find some magic in this day, even if it is in a shared photo of Stallion Nicols and his band that we shared with you today.

Have a wonderful day and thank you for your support!

P.S. Be sure to check our Facebook page later today for more Magic 🙂

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Bonus photo – 2021 Filly Tess and her brother 2023 Colt Monet, both born to Mare Indian Paint Brush and Stallion Teton, in the magical snow that fell on TRNP yesterday.