Wild Horses of Sand Wash Basin, Colorado
It’s day seven of my fall colors road trip and I finally made it to Colorado. Before heading south into the Rocky Mountains, I stopped by the Sand Wash Basin area to photograph wild horses. According to the 1971 law regarding wild horse management, these places are to set aside for the horses to roam freely and serve as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.”
It was my first time visiting one of these HMA’s (Herd Management Areas). I was worried I might drive a long dusty road only to see sagebrush, but after a few winding turns I saw a group of horses in the distance. There was one striking white-toned horse that really caught my attention. I hopped out of my car and ventured into the rugged terrain to get within shooting distance of my long 500mm lens. They came in and out of view as I hopped between the bunchgrass and looked out for rattlesnakes. It was a longer hike than I anticipated, but I finally crested a hill, and they appeared before me. It was a bigger thrill than I expected. I’ve never been a horse-person, but these creatures startled me with their rugged beauty. Veins bulging. Manes twisting in the wind. Chests marred with battle scars. They danced together in mysterious hierarchies.
There were two stallions. One white fur complicated with a topography of brown patches and a flowing blond mane. The other alpha in the herd was dark brown with a white arrow on the tip of his nose. He had splatters of mud on his back, and his long mane was matted like dreadlocks. He looked to be the wildest of the bunch, and confirmed my suspicions when he violently kicked his hind legs at the other stallion.
Seeing them roam freely filled me up. It gave me more hope for the world than I had at the beginning of the day. These experiences are part of what drew me to the wilderness and a vocation as nature photographer.
Sigurd Olson described it well in his book, The Meaning of Wilderness. He said these encounters with the wild help us find a “spiritual backlog in the high speed mechanical world in which we live.” That image of being spiritually backed up is so relevant for today’s world. Maybe that’s why so many are flocking to national parks and exploring the outdoors more than ever. In this digital age we’ve never been more efficient and accomplished, yet our spirits are domesticated and muted. We are in need of something wild to give us perspective and hope.
At the end of the day I turned back for one more pass around the designated loop. The tumbleweeds sparkled in the golden light of the sunset. I scrutinized the horizon for any sign of life. I noticed a pronghorn buck standing watch over his harem, when suddenly a dozen wild horses galloped into view and turned away toward the horizon just as quickly as they appeared.
See below for more photos of the wild horses of Sand Wash Basin.
