It has been a very long time since I have updated my photographs of the magnificent Onaqui herd. I spent a full day with the Onaqui in early December. The herd seems to have split into two. I didn’t have time to look for the other herd but found this group high on the South side of Davis Mountain. It seems like they have changed their behavior since the roundup. The spent the entire day eating about as high as they can be. Then the headed for water very late, after sunset. The next morning they were already high on Davis Mountain again.

They did not seem spooked by me as I approached the herd, all seem to be in GREAT health! One of the special moments is to see a new member of the herd shortly after birth. I have never witnessed a birth but I have seen several foals within hours of their birth. What a rare privilege to find this beautiful new-born filly!!!! She was incredibly beautiful and very spunky and full-of-life! Running circles around mom whenever the steep terrain permitted. This birth (very late in the season), seems to bring me new hope for the Onaqui.

Several wild horse advocate groups are hoping to get Congress to pass laws preventing in-humane roundups in the future and put more effort (and millions less dollars), into alternative methods of managing herds. Let’s hope our support of these groups will bear fruit.