Photo by Charles and Rita Summers from the book “All The Wild Horses” available at www.wildmustangs.com
“The best way for me to see the wild horses was to hide out near the water holes. That summer when I was 13, I had just driven a small herd of cattle into some meadows southeast of the ranch. Tired from a long ride, I hobbled my horse near a watering hole so he could graze and drink. That accomplished, I laid down behind a log to nap. I awoke to find wild horses were coming in to drink. I could of stayed there watching for hours but the stallion, after drinking, noticed my saddle horse and came trotting over to investigate. Afraid the stallion might attack my gelding, I stood up. Suddenly the whole herd including the stud exploded into action and charged off through the forest. My saddle horse made a couple of jumps toward them with front feet straining at the hobbles, and then stood staring a the forest where the wild horses had disappeared. A pall of volcanic pumice dust drifted off through the trees, and I could hear branches snapping as the wild horses fled down a ridge.
There was silence, then I walked over to where the horses had been standing and looked at their fresh tracks in the mud. The hoof prints were there, and the clouded water still drifted out into the pond. I had tried so hard to see some wild horses up close, and having them run away from someone who intended them no harm didn’t seem fair.
Throughout my young cowboying days I often frequented that magic glade and others, hoping for another look at that wild band, but I never saw them again.”– Dayton O. Hyde, All The Wild Horses
When people talk of wild horses of wild horses and how they should be allowed to fill up the empty spaces in the West, I feel a slow burn in my innards. I would rather see smaller numbers fo wild horses running on better ranges, dedicated to them and well-managed so that animals do not starve in a tough winter or die of thirst when water holes go dry.” –Dayton O Hyde, All The Wild Horses.
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