Horsin' Around

Don't ask me why...we just love chasing the wild mustangs around Sandwash Basin west of Steamboat. Follow US 40 to Hwy 381 and from there take county road 67 toward Sandwash Basin. It's just a 100 mile, two hour ride to get there. But, once arrived, expect to spend most of the day crawling along the sand and gravel off-road trails searching for the wild equines.

Map of the backroads of Sandwash Basin

Last year we found most of the handsome horses while exploring the western loop. We had some amazing up-close encounters. Today was totally different; almost everything we saw was along the western boundary of the northern (upper ) loop. The horses were well scattered and only a couple of sightings offered some close-ups with my 400mm tele lens. Overall, we probably encountered over 100 horses and it was a fantastic day!

Most sightings are from several hundred yards to as far as you can see...

...occasionally you can find these evasive critters within 100 yards.

Apparently there is an ongoing battle to maintain their natural habitat. Like most things you read these days, it's hard to find the truth. Those trying to protect them would suggest that the struggle to save their current home is desperate.

Here's a few of our favorite images from today's adventure. Click each image if you desire to have a full screen view...

Click the pic for larger image

Palomino Pair

Sup, dawg? You lookin' for sumptin'?

Think I'll be movin' on.

Among the most fascinating facets of chasing these amazing critters is observing how healthy they appear, especially considering their desolate looking habitat. Also, it's cool to see their variety of interesting colors from blacks, silvers, greys, palominos, pintos, dapples, bays and everything imaginable.