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Post by prizmbluekigers on Sept 9, 2008 11:32:31 GMT -5
Hi,
I had to go to Seattle on business last week so I need to decompress. We are heading back out to the Steens for a looong weekend, first to the Kiger HMA to see if we can see our favorite band of three and hopefully others also and then we are off to the Riddle HMA for at least a day. We have maps and some basic directions, not worried about getting lost, but I wondered if anyone has any tips on favorite water holes or hang outs; best place to start looking, etc. Thank you!
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Post by waterbearer on Sept 9, 2008 15:15:28 GMT -5
Oh, I'm so jealous. Have fun, and I hope you get to spot your favorites! Please post any pictures you might take. I'd love to see them. Thanks!
Alyssa
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Post by fantasykiger on Sept 10, 2008 11:44:26 GMT -5
Oh I do hope that you will see a new batch of horses, the 3 are a fablous 3 and I can not wait to see new pics and do have a wonderful safe trip.
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Post by DianneC on Sept 14, 2008 9:36:53 GMT -5
Hey Bobbe, next time you guys are in Seattle give me a shout. You've got perfect weather so hope you find lots of horses!
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Post by kimk on Sept 14, 2008 10:04:57 GMT -5
Ditto on the "give me a shout" thing!!!
Can't wait to see pics!
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Post by nrly on Sept 15, 2008 0:00:59 GMT -5
looking forward to seeing your band of three and all your pictures...
nola
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Post by stlkigers on Sept 15, 2008 21:52:46 GMT -5
Oh yes....Pictures would be awesome!
Angela
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Post by prizmbluekigers on Sept 17, 2008 13:55:37 GMT -5
What a weekend. We found out is it possible to get East from Kiger HMA to the Riddle HMA without going back out to paved road and from the Riddle HMA south to the valley floor and then from Stonehouse Creek back up into the HMA's by vehicle. We suprised a group of folks from France on a horseback/camping trip in the Steens. I don't think they expected to see a full size Ford truck appear on the same trail with them. We are mapping the area ourselves as some of the roads shown on the map don't exist any longer ad we can't decipher the fences yet as to private or BLM. We are asking Santa for GPS for Christmas. We found nothing on the Riddle HMA, but we found a band of 4 on the Kiger HMA and we are still reveiwing the tape but we saw 3 duns and a grey(?). I say grey because I can't see a dorsal and it is a light color of grey that looks as though it may be fading even more. It had 2 white socks and a large white spot on it's forehead. I'm still not sure if it was a mare or stallion. Two of the horses acted as though they were in charge. The cool part is that we came upon them at a resevoir and one of them was chest deep in the water eating the plants growing in the water. It was neat to watch. They were very curious. When Rick moved out of hiding into the open, they would run/trot away for a little way, stop and take a look and then come back toward him for another look. We got 12 minutes of tape of them examining us. One of the horses was not in as good shape as the others, possible due to age? We could see all the ribs and the backbone was prominent. There was a indentation the length of the hindquarters that was very visible and the hip bones were sticking out. I thought old, wormy, sick?  ? I am thinking old because the coat was shiny, the horse moved well without hesitation, no limp. The term "swayback" came to mind right away. There is still water for the horses they just have to travel further than they do in the spring and early summer. It is very dry out there as would be expected. Someone parked their SUV directly in the road on the last hill to the Kiger viewing area parking so we didn't drive up there this time - rather rude of them but perhaps they thought the sign meant park there and walk. Folks who go out there in thier shiny SUvs and try to keep them clean and unscratched are missing the whole experience anyway. The horses don't hang out in sight of the viewing area and wait for folks to admire them. I didn't have the 35mm with us when we saw this band so I don't have any pics yet. We still need to boost our computer to be able to edit the tapes and pull stills from them. We hope to get in one more overnight trip before it gets too cold for me to want to camp. |
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Post by fantasykiger on Sept 17, 2008 15:11:07 GMT -5
Oh it sounds like a fabuous trip. In that you got to cover new territory and see new horses as well. How very exciting, indeed. I am only a little bummed :/ we don't get to see no pictures this time around but maybe next time.
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? I am thinking old because the coat was shiny, the horse moved well without hesitation, no limp. The term "swayback" came to mind right away.