Saylor Creek Herd: A Journey Through Idaho's Wild Horses
June, 2010, Saylor Creek, Idaho.
In June 2010, I visited the Saylor Creek Herd Management Area. Shortly after my visit, a roundup occurred due to a fire. The Saylor Creek herd was beautiful, with extremely Spanish-looking and very skittish horses. This behavior is not uncommon for true wild horses. However, their unwillingness to accept my presence, combined with the heat of the day and a close encounter with a baby rattlesnake, prompted me to leave earlier than expected.
The Environment and Challenges
The horses were found in a large valley, above which was a frequently used parking area. I observed many shod horse prints, truck and trailer tracks, and sadly, empty gun shells and beer cans. It was disheartening to realize that the Saylor Creek horses were likely harassed by people aware of their existence.
The Herd Management Area also had the largest cattle population I have seen in all my travels. The horses' water source was crowded with hundreds of cattle, including mothers, babies, and even a few bulls. The ground was as hard as concrete due to constant grazing and lounging by the cattle. I watched as the horses made their usual migratory trek to and from the water, while the cattle were content to stay put. Upon entering this area, there was a sign, commonly seen in many wild horse areas, warning people to stay away and not harass the horses. Ironically, a baby cow was resting under this sign, with its mother standing alongside it.
Take Action
Help the Saylor Creek Herd! Take Action Below!