Eye Contact
I was invited by the BLM to photograph a gather of the wild horses at the Deep Creek Mountains in Tooele County Utah. In trying to prepare myself for what I was about to see I was surprised at how gentle and caring the BLM and the contractors handled the horses. They have a horse trained whose name is Judas who leads the wild horses through the chutes and into the holding pen. The BLM told me approx. 30 percent of the horses will be returned back to the wild after contraception and physicals. I don’t know the numbers exactly, the remaining horses will be adopted out and others will be sent to prisons where they will be gentled by prisoners and then used on the borders for border control. I still feel that the horses belong in the wild but have more of an understanding for why they have to be gathered. I will still sign every petition out there and still fight for the horses.
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Gene Praag
Marvin Collins
Excellent image Gene, I really enjoyed your write up about them also. I saw a TV program about the plan to have prisoners gentle the horses, very interesting. Thanks.
Debbie Sanders...
I with you on wanting them to remain wild, but I also understand the need to keep the number of wild one in check. Thank you for sharing a great photo and text.
Jean Hildebrant
Love the light on this, Gene! I hear what you’re saying. At least if they are handled well and adopted out, I feel ok but I sure hate to hear about killing!!!
Wendy Slee
this is another of your great images, but the story is even more interesting…..
thank you so much for sharing….....
CraigsMom
Wonderful image, as ever, Gene. I would rather see the horses wild, but I would much rather see them adopted and “gentled” than killed. Thank you for sharing the info
Mary-Ann
Sande Elkins
At least they aren’t being slaughtered. This is a wonderful capture, Gene!
Jing3011
wonderful!
KatsEye
The way you capture these amazing animals I will never understand. It is so gorgeous and the thought of them not in the wild just burns my soul. You capture their true nature. My hat goes off to you.
kimbarose
Awesome moment in time. Great shot ! :)
pryere
Wonderful shot Geno, very interesting backstory too.
Rosemaree
I agree Gene we need to do more for the wild herds rather than cull them. There are wild herds in Australia but not as many as in the States. We have adoption programs too. I would love one day to be able to experience the herds that you photograph. I would love to be able to see them for myself and take photos of them in their natural environement.
keep up the great work I truely enjoy seeing your images…
Rosemaree
Irene Burdell
A wonderful shot.
I think you may enjoy this geno take a lookl
Here
Gene Praag replied
Thank you for showing me this Irene. I would love to see that in person.
Jeff Burns
Spectacular shot
Nancy Polanski
How great it is that you were extended such an invitation! Wow! And you have put my mind at ease over the treatment that the horses receive.
Overall, I am pleased with what they are doing with them. It sounds as if they really care about them. I am so very glad you shared the experience with us, and this photo is amazing!! Look at that mane! I’ll bet you wanted to take a lot of them home with you. I wonder if you saw any there that you recognized (and gave names to).
Gene Praag replied
It was a great invitation, usually only the press is invited. This is not the herd I usually go visit. This herd is closer to my home but they are much harder to find. I go out there once in a while but the only shots I have of this herd is the large horse in the background of Band Of One. He was the only horse that truly scared me. When he saw me he did an about face and came directly for me. I am so glad he changed his mind. The only other shots I have of this herd is in my journal My Cedar Mountain Adventure. They are planning a roundup of the herd I go to in 2010, not a day I look forward to, I have grown so attached to each and every one of them.
Nancy Polanski
Fantastic Video!!!
Katagram
Gene, this is fantastic ! !!
tayja
Another great photo, and write up… I just love the Mustangs….. It’s nice to hear they are careful, but I’m with you on leaving them wild… someday I will be able to go and see them…
Dawnsky2
well caught shat :)
dawndavies
FABULOUS
Victoria Jostes
quite a shot, geno. what do you think prompted the blm to invite you? what was it that gave you a greater understanding of their activities?
Gene Praag replied
Thanks Victoria. I usually call the BLM on Monday mornings to let them know where the horses are located and give them an update on how the herd is doing. I let them know if the watering holes are getting low, etc. They don’t have enough man power to send anybody out there on a regular basis to see how they are doing and they know I go out almost every weekend. I found out they were going to do the roundup and asked how I could attend and they said they would have the PR rep call me and get me a pass to go out so me and all the news channels went out. I do have a better understanding of why they have to keep the herds in check. They are worried that with winter coming the land won’t sustain the herd and they will die of starvation but I don’t agree with rounding them up with all the holding facilities still full and their fate is still undecided.
Nancy Polanski
Yes, I know how you care for “your herd” and I wonder, do you ever see anyone else out there?Taking pictures? Also, in the Band of One photo (excellent photo!) you didn’t mention just how close you were to him when he came at you. And how you managed to stand your ground, I can only imagine!
Gene Praag replied
I do see other people out there once in a while taking pictures. Some of them run up to them thinking the horses are just going to stand there and let them take there pictures and are usually quite upset when the herd runs off. It usually takes me most of the day for the herd to get comfortable enough to let me get in close to them. I walk with them for hours and usually end up miles away from my truck and having to walk a long way back. The Band of One photo I was about 50 feet away. Like and idiot I was hiding in ravines trying to get up close and popped my head up and that horse seen me and was not happy at all. I no longer approach the horses like that. I make sure they see me and just make sure they are comfortable before I move in closer. When that horse came at me I just held my ground and waved my arms in the air and kept telling him I wasn’t there to hurt him and he finally just turned and ran with the whole herd in tow.
Cheyenne
Such a beautiful shot!! Lovely horse. :) :)
Dawnsky2
sorry for my last typo,,
that was ment to say ‘shot’ :)
Victoria Jostes
have to agree. if overcrowding becomes an issue, what then? i commend your efforts. you simply don’t give up. what an exercise in perserverance!
Mark Peterson
Beautiful shot Gene!