This year summer is starting to become overly hot and dry. The wild horses are on the move in order to find suitable summer ranges. The dry heat though has brought on an horrendous infestation of annoying insects. The wild horses have adapted to this annual onslaught and have found ways to lessen this torment. This young boy is enjoying a dust bath in order to rid himself of some of these biting insects. The dirt that stays on his coat acts sort of like a repellant.
Another way of helping ward off the bugs is a good long roll in a mud hole. Due to the hot weather we have found a lot of these areas have already dried up. These two did find a good one!
Here we find a beautiful herd hanging out in the protection of an open grove of trees. During the heat of the day this helps keeps the insects off and if there is any breeze cools everybody. Seeking out such spots also allows the horses to remain vigilant to any possible danger.
This herd uses the creek that flows through their territory as a place to cool down and get a drink and avoid some of the insects.
Another strategy the horses use is to go up onto the high exposed ridge tops where the winds will help keep the bugs away and there isn’t as many on some of the higher ridges. Right now the horse flies are absolutely terrible and are really driving the horses to seek out one of the above mentioned methods to get some relief. Even riding our own horses we have the benefit of bug spray to help ward them off but they can still be such a nuisance.
The 2023 foal crop is looking good and exciting to see. Most of the young ones we’ve come across so far are doing well under the protection of their herd.
Unfortunately WHOAS has had to step in and rescue abandoned foals and in one case, an injured foal. With great sadness to us the injured foal succumbed to its injuries. On the other hand, the one rescued foal is thriving in its new home bringing a great deal of happiness to its new owners.
This summer WHOAS has some vest and hoodies (zippered and pull over) for sale. The pictures show front and back with our new crest. These items are only available at our site or at Sunset Guiding in person as we are not equipped to sell online. So if you are visiting us or Sunset, have a look and say hi to our beautiful model and volunteer Josilyn!
