The Wild Horses of Sand Wash Basin: A Living Symbol of the American West

Discover the Wild Horses of Sand Wash BasinDiscover the Wild Horses of Sand Wash Basin

There are many iconic symbols of the West — cowboy hats, spurs, lassos. But none symbolize the enduring ruggedness of the American West as much as the wild mustang. These majestic creatures roam freely across the vast landscapes of the western United States, embodying the spirit and history of the region.

Although there are wild horse herds on the East Coast, such as those on Assateague Island on the Maryland-Virginia border and near Cape Hatteras, N.C., most wild horses live on Bureau of Land Management property in the western United States. Colorado has four wild horse herd management areas, or HMAs. Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area, located 48 miles west of Craig, is the closest area to Fort Collins and the largest HMA in the state.

A large herd of more than 400 wild mustangs roam on 156,500 acres in a basin covered with sagebrush, bunchgrass, saltbush, and pinon-juniper woodlands between Vermillion Bluffs and Sevenmile Ridge. The other three areas include Piceance Basin near Rangely; Little Bookcliffs near Grand Junction and Spring Creek in Disappointment Valley southwest of Montrose.

Horse Helper

Most wild horses in the U.S. are considered feral horses. Truly wild horses once roamed North America about 10,000 years ago but became extinct during the Ice Age. Spanish settlers reintroduced horses to the West in the 1500s, and horses living in the herd management areas today are direct yet wild descendants of those once domestic horses.

In the mid-20th century, wild horses were harvested for commercial purposes. Velma Johnston, a secretary from Reno, Nev., was appalled by these activities. She led a grassroots campaign with school children to raise awareness about the harvesting. Her leadership led to the Wild Horse Annie Act in 1959, which prohibited the use of motorized vehicles to hunt wild horses and burros on public lands.

The population of wild horses continued to decline because of loss of habitat and elimination of the animals. On Dec. 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon signed into law the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 providing further federal protection of the wild horses and burros on public lands.

Today, the BLM manages wild horses through the Wild Horse and Burro Program. In February 2013, the BLM estimated 40,605 wild horses and burros lived on 31.6 million acres, of which 26.9 million acres are BLM-managed lands in 10 western states.

Unique Viewing Opportunity

The horses of Sand Wash Basin come in a variety of colors and color patterns. Grey and sorrel are the most frequently seen colors, but visitors might also see palominos, blacks, red and blue roans, bays, buckskin, duns, and paints. The herd divides itself into bands — groups of two to 12 horses led by a mare and usually protected by one stallion. The lead mare will guide the band to watering holes, food, and protection from the weather.

Spring is peak breeding season. Lone stallions try to gain control of a band of horses by fighting the band’s stallion or by encouraging females to leave and start their own band. Stallions also try to encourage mares to join their established band. All of these band dynamics make for interesting horse viewing when the stallions snort, rear up, and kick each other in battles for dominance.

Through the end of May, wild horses are also at the peak of their foaling season. According to the Sand Wash Advocate Team, a nonprofit group working with the BLM to support the Sand Wash Basin wild horses, mares have given birth to at least 17 foals this year. This active period at Sand Wash Basin makes it an ideal time for a visit, especially before the temperature rises considerably during the summer, when daytime highs can reach 100 degrees or more.

The horses are curious but cautious. The best method for viewing the horses is to drive along the county roads in Sand Wash Basin. The roads, although in pretty good condition most of the year, are not maintained and can become difficult to drive and even impassable in wet weather. Vehicles also are allowed to drive on the two-track roads. Hiking is permitted anywhere within the BLM property.

Look for the horses along ridges and at the watering holes, which are noted on the area map by blue dots. Once you find a band of horses, avoid chasing them. Instead, pick a spot and quietly watch them. Often, they will become curious about you and move toward you.

Sand Wash Basin has three driving areas: Loop A, Loop B, and Sevenmile Ridge. Loop A can be an ideal location to find the horses with several dozen seen along County Road 126 and County Road 80. Sevenmile Ridge has two watering holes near County Road 75 on County Roads 66N and 66W and provides beautiful landscape views to the east.

In addition to the horses, Sand Wash Basin is also home to pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, coyotes, burrowing owls, elk, and mule deer. Numerous recreational activities are permitted at Sand Wash Basin. Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the basin except within one-quarter mile of water sources.

The entire basin is open to hiking but be prepared for backcountry exploration by carrying a map and compass. Motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle riding are permitted in the open areas in the southwest portion of the basin. Seasonal large and small game hunting is also permitted.

There is no cellphone reception or facilities at Sand Wash Basin so bring water, food, and equipment in case of emergency. Although most of the roads are packed gravel and dirt, the clay soil can become extremely slippery in wet weather so be alert to changes in the weather. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for any driving off the county roads. Tell someone your travel plans and when you anticipate arriving back in civilization.

The closest town for facilities is Maybell. Craig offers numerous hotel accommodations and restaurants.

Dawn Wilson is a freelance writer and photographer and volunteers as a Master Naturalist with the city of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. Visit her website at www.DawnWilsonPhotography.com.

Sand Wash Basin

• Hours: Daily year-round

• Directions: Sand Wash Basin is approximately five hours from Fort Collins. Take Colorado Highway 14 west for about 88 miles. Follow the signs for Steamboat Springs and turn right onto U.S. Highway 40 and head west. Travel about 97 miles to Maybell. Turn right onto Colorado Highway 318 and head west. Follow for about 14 miles to County Road 75 just past Little Snake River to visit the east side of Sand Wash Basin. Continue another two miles on Colorado 318 and turn right onto County Road 67 to drive Loops A and B.

Originally Posted By The Coloradoan

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