Sulphur Springs Band on the Range

Sulphur Springs Band on the Range
Photos by Robert Hayden taken this month near the Utah/Nevada border about 100 miles west of Cedar City Utah. There are an estimated 200 left after 325 were removed last November 2009!!

The Old Mare Has Died

What follows is a beautiful tribute to one of the original Sulphur Springs Mares by their caretaker and photographer, Key Levie:

"The Old Mare Has Died

March 14 & 15, 2010

She was the only mare not in foal when the mustangs arrived a little over a year ago. You could tell she was very old so I gave her the name La Vieja, The Old One.
Her days were spent somewhat solitarily, not making friends or taking an interest in the new foals arriving almost on a weekly basis. And yet, she had a dignity about her, but also a sadness. Perhaps she knew her days were short or her spirit had been damaged from the trauma of the round up and the loss of the only home she had ever known, the hills, canyons and sage covered mesas of western Utah. While the other mares with their new babies adjusted to life in their temporary desert sanctuary, the old one seemed to decline into a depression that drained her life away and she wandered off to die alone yesterday.
The days leading up to her death evidenced her decline and I knew yesterday that the end was near. And the babies sensed it too, a new experience encompassing the ebb and flow of life. I watched as Uno, the oldest of the foal crop, approached the mare who was standing dejectedly with ears drooping. The old mare had never let the foals touch her or acknowledged them other than to chase them away from her food with ears pinned and teeth snapping. But this day, Uno was ignored as she tried to make the mare move. Then, giving up on that effort, nibbled on her gently and lovingly. Soon she was joined by Dos, the black colt with the strong Barb characteristics. Working together, they encouraged the mare to move into the shade of the trees by the water trough. The two youngsters then scampered off to find other adventures and the old mare spent the better part of the day standing in the shade.
As I went about my chores, I glanced at the mare now and then. Later in the afternoon, I saw that she was no longer under the trees. Looking around, I finally saw her several hundred feet out in the five acre paddock. She was down and not moving. With foreboding, I made my way over to her followed by all nine babies. As we approached, the mare raised her head and I back off, not wanting to frighten this still wild horse. But the babies stayed there, gently nudging her or just watching. Soon they were joined by some of the other mares and all stood around her quietly. After about an hour I saw the old mare go into her death throes, frightening the babies but they didn’t run away. I know animal lovers are often criticized for attributing anthropomorphic qualities to animals. But what I witnessed was as touching and poignant as any family group around the deathbed of a much loved member of the family.
Today, the guy with the backhoe came and buried the old mare where she lay. They said the babies kept coming over to watch and this evening I see them out there looking at the ground under which she lies and they are more subdued than is usual. There is a quietness over the whole herd, a palpable somberness. I can’t help but feel that we as humans greatly underestimate the depth at which animals feel. There is much we can learn from them if we can just take the time to stand back and observe. I grieve for the old mare but am grateful that her last days were spent in comfortable, beautiful surroundings rather than in a filthy desolate holding pen where no one cared.
Kay Levie"

BLM Runs SoCal Wild Horses to Extinction

In a letter to BLM Ramona DeLorme, Kathleen Hayden of Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza writes:

Dear Ramona,

Please distribute the following communiqué and attached letter from Mike Pool to the Wild Horse Advisory Committee.

Dear Members of the Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee,

We, Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza Inc. have provided volumes of documentation to enable BLM to redefine and designate the native ranges of the Coyote Canyon Herd Area that was under-inventoried in 1971. It was defective then as it is now. By operation of law, management plans may be revised to correct this deficiency and make restitution.

We would remind the Committee of the previously provided and numerous preservation avenues within the National Historic Preservation Act Sec 106 and distinct population segments of the Endangered Species Act that support critical habitat designation.

The Coyote Canyon Wild Horse Herd is extinct now in the wild. We have possession of, and BLM retains title to, the 4 remaining stallions. Only through our efforts have this herd been saved for restoration.

It is necessary and imperative to re establish a Coyote Canyon herd to the Native American historic ranges of Beauty Mt (currently BLM)

We rely on BLM's offer of cooperation, assistance and partnership to manage this herd.

We have been informed that BLM instructed the Committee not to make a recommendation and believe that the Committee exists for this purpose.

Your positive action and response would be most appreciated.

Thank you,

Kathleen Hayden

PO Box 236

Santa Ysabel, Ca.

Coyote Canyon Caballos d' Anza

Visit to Our Growing Coyote Canyon Foundation Heritage Herd

We took a drive out to the Anza Borrego Desert today to visit with our growing heritage herd. Here are some photographs from our day with the horses:



For story in English press 1
For French, press 2

Locals Grateful for Help for Wild Mustangs near Baker NV

In an email to Robert Haydeen of Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza, a local Nevada resident expresses gratitude for his help with watering the wild horses.

"I want to thank you very much for hauling all that water to the wild mustangs out to a canyon by Lad Davies Ranch. I was so happy to hear that you and your wife were able to get a hold of the BLM and put some pressure on them to get some water out there for the horses. I worry that they will get lax on watering them. Robert and I went up last Saturday evening and the trough was full. Here are a few pictures we took. They were more in need of water than of being afraid of us :( The wild mustangs are such beautiful creatures!

Thanks again, Carol C."

Utah Rancher and Advocates Continue Assisting Sulphur Springs Mustangs

Following this comment are eye witness emails reporting from Utah on the Sulphur Springs wild horse herd water crisis.

Throughout centuries, free roaming wild horses and burros had unfettered access to summer and winter ranges. Fencing and zoning the public domain have impeded their natural movement. This is a man made problem which threatens herds to the point of extinction and can be corrected.

Current law provides agency/citizen partnerships which may enable better management of local herds. Water could be developed or provided in accessible fenced locations where bands can be better monitored and even treated with birth control and culling if proven necessary.

Ranchers have done this for centuries and are currently hauling water to livestock where developed and natural water sources have dried up.

Supplemental feed is also option. This gives local communities and advocates more financial incentives to participate in on- hands management with BLM oversight. We believed this is similar to the pilot program initially offered to our Coyote Canyon group by BLM Tom Pogacnik.

A review of 1971 ranges by operation of law, is necessary and imperative to providing sufficient habitat to ensure genetic viability to our Heritage Herds. Your comments are welcome.

Thanks,

Kathleen Hayden

Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza

In a continuing series of emails Robert Hayden sent to Kathleen Hayden from Utah, we get a glimpse of issues facing the BLM mustangs and the local people coming to their aid...

August 17, 2009

"Last minute update:

Talked to Ladd Davies this am and he checked the horses water Sun pm and the horses had been at the solar panel and the bottom tank was almost empty and the top was 2/3 full. These I think are 5 or 6 hundred gallon tanks. Ladd thought the 350 we put over at Jeb Spring entrance was in a bad spot and should be moved closer if you continue to use it at Jeb. He did not go into Jeb but will later today and I will get an update tonight. He called Scott at BLM and gave him an update on his answering service. He is going to call Gale Bennet this am and talk things over with him. Ladd thinks we should stop messing around and move in about a half a dozen of Baker's Ranch's 1000 gal tanks that are not being used and have their water truck, which he has agreed to do, and fill them and put them at the solar tanks where the horses are used to watering. If they find out after pulling the pump they need parts, the horses will not have water for a week or so."

August 15, 2009

"Met the BLM this am at Ladd Davies Ranch. Scott from the Delta Office came with a 500 gallon tank and flat bed truck and we hauled water to the solar panels and filled the two 500 or 600 gallon tanks. Then we took a 300 gallon tank up the canyon toward Jeb Spring and placed it on a horse trail near the road going into Jeb and filled the tank. We then went in another mile or so to Jeb Spring and filled the tank that was barely running. Lots of Elk and horse tracks. Going in we saw two groups of mustangs. One herd of about a half a dozen, a few young ones and all were watched over by one old grullo stallion. Another group of three duns, one young, one mare, one stallion. Did see another lone stallion. All were away from the water and grazing, looks like our hauling of water is paying off.

Scott said the well pump at the solar is to be pulled and repaired on Wed. Chet and I will leave for Calif one day late, tomorrow."

Local Utah Ranchers Work to Save Wild Horses in Time of Drought

My husband Robert , friend Chet, and local retired Burbank Utah. rancher averted disaster to save several bands of Sulphur Spring mustangs.

Perhaps we should work out an agreement with DOI for a change in managment policy where as BLM contracts with locals to monitor the water sources, haul water in emergencies, and notify BLM to correct defective systems. This would be good for local economies. AND save wild horses and burros from dying from thirst. (After all guzzlers are maintained for wild life) Herd areas are often too remove for BLM to monitor effectively during the the critical summer drought. The locals may be most familiar with the water sources where as not all BLM employees are.

Kathleen Hayden

Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza

In emails Robert Hayden sent to Kathleen Hayden from Utah, we get a glimpse of issues facing the BLM mustangs and the local people coming to their aid...

August 13, 2009
"Well just to let you know what is happening. Today Chet and I went to Ladd Davies for a visit and say hi. Told Chet we could go and see the solar water tanks for the mustangs at the Cove near Needle Point just South of Ladd Davies Ranch and possible get a look at some horses. Ladd said he would like to go and we took his 4x4 truck. When we got to the solar panels the tanks were bone dry. There were lots of fresh tracks around the tanks but no moisture what-so-ever. Then we decided to go to the next water hole, Jep Springs, (possible sp). When we got to Jep Springs we saw about ten mustangs take off up the hill to the west but two mares and a young filly stayed, which did not seem normal. They usually head for the hills when we get close. Looked like they were still drinking, putting their heads in the tank and back up again. We got out of the truck and they did not run off till we were about 20 yards away. When we got to the tank it was also empty with only a small trickle of water coming in at one end. We looked for a problem, but could see none.

We then went back to Ladd's house to use the phone to call BLM. First we called Gale Bennet who is x BLM and has been keeping an eye on the horse in the area around the Mt Home Range where the mustangs are located. No answer but left a message of what we saw. Next I called Gus War in Salt Lake BLM office and got a message he would be out for 2 weeks and left a message on his machine. Then I called Chad Hunter of Cedar City and got him on the phone at home. Told him what we found, he thanked me for the info and said he would right away call Delta, BLM and have someone take a load of water today to the horses and find out what the problem could be. Chet and I then went home to Baker for something to eat and take a break. After talking it over we went back to Ladd Davies to find out if the water for horses had arrived. Ladd said he got a call from Gale Bennet saying the BLM had called him and he would be out tomorrow mid-day with a 250 gal tank for water and a generator to try and get the tanks filled at the solar panels. If he could not he would reccomend having someone haul water in to the horses. Ladd had talked to some neighbors who had quads and they took 20 gallons up to Jep Springs to dump. When we got to Ladds we had to 50gal plastic barrels and decided to take some water to the solar panels tanks asap in case some of the horses came looking for water from Jep. On the way out we stopped and talked to the McDonalds who took the 20 gallons up to Jep and they said that when they got there, 15 horses were standing around the tank trying to get water out of the dribble that was coming out. Also found out that 2 weeks eariler they went up and the tank was also empty and a small filly was trying to get water and they got to within 5 feet of her while she was drinking. The mother had run off. McDonalds did not know where the solar tanks were and if other water was in the area. Ladd told me that Gale Bennet was by his house a week ago to check on the horses. If he did go to the water sources, I cannot understand why this was not a big problem a week ago.

Chet and I will check at the solar tanks tomorrow early and find out if the horses were there last night. We could tell these horses are in dire need of water because of the way they did not run when we approached and stood at the tank trying to get water. We are afraid that they went to the solar tanks looking for water and not finding any, may not go back tonight to get the 150 gallons we put in the tank and stay at Jeb Springs. We would have taken the water to Jeb, but you need 4x4 .

Am very disapointed the water did not show from BLM, as was stated would be there pm today. Sounds like someone passed it off to Gale.

Will call you on your cell phone tomorrow when I have something to report. Hope the horses are not as bad as I think and make it till they get water."

August 14, 2009

"Today we took another 50 gallons of water to the solar panels and checked if any horses had been there to water last night. We saw track over our tire treads from yesterday. Looked like about two or three had come in for water last night. We put in the 50 and went down the road towards Ladd Davies and met a BLM truck coming our direction. Stopped and talked to the two passengers, one was Scott from BLM in Delta that had been sent by Chad Hunter from Cedar City BLM. The other was Gale Bennet from Delta.

They were going to check the solar pump. Chet and I met them at the solar and with a meter tried to find the problem. After much checking it was determined the pump was not working or out of water. BLM will be sending someone to pull the pump.

On the way to Ladds we ran into three quads, the McDonalds, with about 40 gallons of water heading to Jeb Springs to dump and check on the horses. Chet and I hauled two more loads of water to the solar tanks which now has about 300 plus gallons of water. Scott said he would be calling Gus War to find out what should be done to get water to the horses while the pump is being fixed.

After we were home in Baker for a while, Ladd called and said Scott will bring a 500 gal tank on his truck and haul water from Ladds to the water tanks so the horses would have plenty of water. We will meet him tomorrow early and check the horses and help with the water to make sure all is ok and then head back to California."

Sulphur Springs Mustangs

These photos are some examples of the beautiful Sulphur Springs mustangs in the care of Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza.

For more information on this breed of horse, see link below:

Sulphur Springs Mustangs

They are incredible beautiful!!

Exciting Times Everyone! Mustang Adventure Planned for May 2010!

Exciting times everyone!



The 5 acres is open to the mustangs and they are so happy to have some space to run and play. Thank you everyone who donated, worked, encouraged....we couldn't have done it without you... Next step is to have a sanctuary but in the interim, we know the horses can feel a little of their freedom returned.



For any of you who might be interested in a mustang adventure, I'll be working with Rock Creek Pack Station up in Bishop to head up a four day photo/observation of mustangs ride next May 22-25. Your horse, tack, tent, food and instruction are all provided. If you want more information, please contact me as soon as possible. The ride is limited to 20 people and is already starting to fill. Cost is $750 which includes a $200 deposit due by October 1. The balance will be due in February. Your deposit will hold a spot for you. I'll send more information and web links to anyone who contacts me.



Enjoy the photos ... and thank you everyone.



Kay Levie
Contact Kay Levie's Mail

Sulphur Springs Foals - Coyote Canyon Foundation Herd

Hope y'all are writing and calling Congressman Issa to support a Heritage Herd designation in the Beauty Mt. area. contact info beautymountain@mail.house.gov

Thanks,

Kathleen Hayden

Coyote Canyon Caballos d'Anza