Connected hearts.
When you pull into Sand Wash Basin all you can see is the vastness of the land. So vast there are many times you won't see a single wild horse for miles. Then you do, and your heart races with excitement. Stop the car, stop the car. Is it her? Is it Laramie? It is.
There was always something about her. The way she moved away with her offspring as soon as you approached, letting you know she wasn't to be bothered. The way she would stop for a moment, giving you that one time glance, letting you know she approved. The way she carried herself and led her family everywhere, because in the wild horse world, the lead mare is the one in charge, and Laramie was most definitely in charge. Her scars very evident of that, telling a story of a brave soul who carried on with dignity and class, perseverance and determination. We seemed to be connected by the same scars. Life as we knew it, difficult most days, but yet we persist.
Her bond with her first born, Juliette, was something that truly caught my eye, and amazing to watch. They stuck together like glue, they were inseparable. Then it was Juliette's turn to have an offspring. It was a filly. We cried when we saw Juliette emerge with this new baby, as she had just given birth. They were far away, and Laramie would not let us get close. We were not sure our images would be good enough for an ID, but they were, and Gabby and I got to name this precious foal, from our most favorite band. While we have named several, this was the one, the one I had waited for, for she would be given my granddaughter's name: Gabriella.
Laramie and her family were one of the first bands to be forced into the trap that fateful day in September of 2021. Her face, seen through my long lens, pleading, begging for help. I couldn't help but sob, I felt helpless, for powerlessness is a special kind of hell. It was then we made our promise, Amanda and I, a Banditas promise to rescue and reunite her with as many family members we had room for.
Being the daughter of the "Golden boy" Corona, an icon in Sand Wash Basin, we felt there would be little chance for us to obtain her, as our group was small, and funds were light. Not to mention, it wasn't just her we wanted to bring home, we wanted to reunite her with her daughters, granddaughter, and Spirit, her protector in the wild. Chance or no chance we set our sights high on being victorious with our promise made.
They were all separated after the round up. Laramie had foaled about 3 months prior to that horrific day in September, and she was put in a holding pen with the other mares who also had young foals. Abigail, weaned from Laramie at only 4 months was unrecognizable, and not even IDed until a few days before the first adoption event. She and the other members of her herd were shuffled into different holding prisons, never knowing what was to happen next. A once very close family, broken. Would they ever find each other again?
As we agonizingly waited for their availability for adoption, they slowly appeared. They were offered at different events; we took who we could as they emerged. One by one, event after event, they all came back together. Together as one family, just as they were in the wild. Promise kept.
Want to join the Spirit Band herd? Sponsorship is just a click away.
When you pull into Sand Wash Basin all you can see is the vastness of the land. So vast there are many times you won't see a single wild horse for miles. Then you do, and your heart races with excitement. Stop the car, stop the car. Is it her? Is it Laramie? It is.
There was always something about her. The way she moved away with her offspring as soon as you approached, letting you know she wasn't to be bothered. The way she would stop for a moment, giving you that one time glance, letting you know she approved. The way she carried herself and led her family everywhere, because in the wild horse world, the lead mare is the one in charge, and Laramie was most definitely in charge. Her scars very evident of that, telling a story of a brave soul who carried on with dignity and class, perseverance and determination. We seemed to be connected by the same scars. Life as we knew it, difficult most days, but yet we persist.
Her bond with her first born, Juliette, was something that truly caught my eye, and amazing to watch. They stuck together like glue, they were inseparable. Then it was Juliette's turn to have an offspring. It was a filly. We cried when we saw Juliette emerge with this new baby, as she had just given birth. They were far away, and Laramie would not let us get close. We were not sure our images would be good enough for an ID, but they were, and Gabby and I got to name this precious foal, from our most favorite band. While we have named several, this was the one, the one I had waited for, for she would be given my granddaughter's name: Gabriella.
Laramie and her family were one of the first bands to be forced into the trap that fateful day in September of 2021. Her face, seen through my long lens, pleading, begging for help. I couldn't help but sob, I felt helpless, for powerlessness is a special kind of hell. It was then we made our promise, Amanda and I, a Banditas promise to rescue and reunite her with as many family members we had room for.
Being the daughter of the "Golden boy" Corona, an icon in Sand Wash Basin, we felt there would be little chance for us to obtain her, as our group was small, and funds were light. Not to mention, it wasn't just her we wanted to bring home, we wanted to reunite her with her daughters, granddaughter, and Spirit, her protector in the wild. Chance or no chance we set our sights high on being victorious with our promise made.
They were all separated after the round up. Laramie had foaled about 3 months prior to that horrific day in September, and she was put in a holding pen with the other mares who also had young foals. Abigail, weaned from Laramie at only 4 months was unrecognizable, and not even IDed until a few days before the first adoption event. She and the other members of her herd were shuffled into different holding prisons, never knowing what was to happen next. A once very close family, broken. Would they ever find each other again?
As we agonizingly waited for their availability for adoption, they slowly appeared. They were offered at different events; we took who we could as they emerged. One by one, event after event, they all came back together. Together as one family, just as they were in the wild. Promise kept.
Want to join the Spirit Band herd? Sponsorship is just a click away.
