Wild Horse Spirit, Ltd. 

    Blondie - injured wild horse foal

(left) 4-19-98 Blondie and her mother, free-roaming with their family near Stagecoach, NV area.  Bay stallion (right) is "Two Socks".   ©Photos by Betty Kelly  See Blondie's and Arrow's mother below

    In mid-July 1998, a Virginia Range wild horse foal, free-roaming with her band, came to the attention of the Mark Twain/Stagecoach community residents.  Her right hind leg was severely injured but she still  managed to keep up with her band.   VRWPA, based in Storey County, and Wild Horse Spirit, based in Washoe County, began receiving phone calls about the little one shortly before the 4^th of July weekend.  As with most callers, her description ranged from a 3 month old to a 9 month old, possibly Palomino.  Well, the little one turned out to be a 4 ½ month old filly.  Interestingly, Betty from Wild Horse Spirit had photographed her with her family on April 19, 1998.   The little one, who was feisty, healthy and beautiful, was about one month old at that time.

We eventually learned that the little one was not only coping with a
right hind leg injury, but dragging a rope that was around her neck, too. Someone had tried to rope this strong and sturdy little wild horse, but only succeeded in severely injuring her. The search became more intense. Wild horses, by their wildlife nature, are migratory and spend little time in one place. Finding her would not be easy. Concerned residents continued to report her locations.  Finally, she was traced near a home where Carol and her mother, Jenny, who knew the band well, had provided water to them. 

     On July 10, 1998, Carol and Jenny graciously allowed Bobbi and Betty from Wild Horse Spirit and Olivia from VRWPA to set up a portable panel trap to catch "Blondie".  Once in the trap, her injury could be better evaluated and the rope around her neck removed.  Carol and Jenny expressed concern about Blondie and what would happen to her.  They were assured that we would give her excellent care.  Once Blondie was in the trip, her wounds noted to be more severe than thought.  A one-shot treatment would not be possible.

 Wild Horse Spirit trailered her to a vet hospital in Reno where, under anesthesia, her wounds were debrided and dressed. She was also given hydrating IV fluids and started on IV antibiotics for infection.  Her wounds were serious. She would not have survived in the wild.

After a week of intensive treatment at the hospital, Blondie was trailered from the vet hospital to the home of Sherry and Dennie for further outpatient care under supervision of  Dr. Michele Peacock.  Sherry and Dennie had other adopted wild horses, including a filly  named "Arrow".   To help  lessen her stress of being  separated from her mother, Blondie  was able to socialize with other "wild" ones who not only welcomed her and but were delighted with her. 

In retrospect, from the description of Blondie's  band and her mother, it was felt this same home, a year earlier, may have cared for and eventually adopted Blondie’s sister, "Arrow".  Arrow miraculously survived a bow and arrow shot into her chest inflicted by a resident in November 1997.  Again, with  concerned residents reporting the atrocity, she received help. Treatment of  Blondie’s leg continued.  There was no guarantees that her leg would fully recover, but in her favor was her youth and we are all pulling for her.  Once recovered, Blondie would eventually be adopted to a loving, caring, committed life-time adopter. 
(left) On September 23, 1998, Blondie found that perfect home.  Still recovering, she traveled from her transient care home with Sherry and Dennie to her permanent adoptive home in Gardnerville, NV, to lush open pastures, the love of her new adopter, Jan, and, of course, the companionship with other adopted wild horses Sparky, Sugar and Daisy.  She indeed is a special
wild one with a wonderful disposition.  YES, Arrow is her older sister!  Blondie and Arrow had the same mother.
 (See Arrow below  11-9-97).    

       (Above) August 1, 1999, Blondie, a beautiful Virginia Range filly, at her adoptive home and fully recovered.  On this day, Bobbi and Betty were met, not only by Blondie, but Sparky, Sugar and Daisy, previously adopted by Jan, with the usual friendly wild horse greeting. Also note the young bay filly (right). This is Arrow who survived a bow and arrow shot to her chest by a resident in the Mark Twain area and at the time of this 11-9-97 photo was recovering at her adoptive home with Sherry and Dennie in the Virginia Foothills area.  Arrow is one lucky wild horse.

See Blondie's and Arrow's Mother below

                                        She is Now With Pegasus

  Blondie's and Arrow's beautiful Virginia Range bay mother, photo taken on 
7-10-1998, the day Blondie was taken to the vet.  We sadly learned that their mother went upon Pegasus wings to join other wild horses after she was killed by a motorist in January 2000. Bless the precious and beautiful bay, brown, black mares who are "the roots" of all wild horses. 

      

Wild Horse Spirit Ltd. 25 Lewers Creek Road Carson City, NV 89704 (775) 883-5488 http://www.wildhorsespirit.org

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