By Becky Standridge
You can learn more about Champ and the the Salt River Wild Horses on their Facebook Community page! Click here.
“I’d heard of the wild horses that live in the Tonto National Forest for years but never knew where to find them until early March of 2011 when my friend and I came across them when walking our dogs in the area. I was amazed and inspired. This same friend, an experienced horse owner, showed me how to find my way around the area and taught me valuable information regarding horse behavior and how I should act around them. I began returning to the area with my camera, nearly daily, looking for the wild horses so I could try to capture their magnificent beauty in photographs. My friends and I began to name the horses because it was becoming increasingly difficult to refer to them using descriptive terms only.
Many have speculated the origin of these wild horses and I’ve found the only consistent statement is, “They have been there forever.” “Forever,” for these horses, most likely means their ancestors were brought to the area in the 17th century by the Spanish missionary Father Kino and by the Spanish Conquistadors who came to the area to help the Pima Indians fight off the Apache Indians. It is possible some may have arrived in the 19th century when General George Crook came to the area with the U.S. Calvary.
On June 30, 2011, the day started out like any other day when I headed out to find, observe and photograph the wild horses that live in the Tonto National Forest. At the southern bank of the Salt River, Champ and his family were grazing at the water’s edge. While photographing them, a second band led by a stallion named Saint, arrived at the northern bank of the river to drink. Among this group were two yearling colts that were playing. This activity attracted the attention of Champ’s family and a small group, to include Champ, began to cross the river. A young filly joined them. She was on the upstream side of the group when they started to cross.”
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“The river was too powerful and soon the current forced the filly into the middle of the group. The filly cannot be seen then appeared raised on her back legs – she is in trouble. The river began to sweep her downstream. Champ broke from the group in pursuit. He tried to grab her on the side of her neck but was unable. Not willing to lose her, he gently grabbed her by the back of her neck as he held on firm and guided her back to the southern bank where he was certain she was safe”
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“The filly walked directly to her mare’s side, while Champ proceeded to cross the river as he had intended. Once on the north side, he greeted Saint like a respectful old friend. Upon his return to the southern bank, he greeted each of his two mares and settled next to the mare with the filly. Then, like a fairy-tale ending, three little birds landed on the trio.”
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“Some people think that horses don’t have a soul but the soul of a horse is much bigger than man knows. It’s incredible. And wild horses are even more special.” (Becky Standridge)
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Equilibre would like to extend a special thanks to Becky Standridge for permission to share this remarkable story! Gracias Becky!
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You can learn more about Champ and the the Salt River Wild Horses on their Facebook Community page! Click here.
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Dear Victor,
Thanks for sharing this story. It is a good illustration of altruistic behavior. The strategy is successful for the stallion since the filly is probably genetically related with him (kin selection).
Keep up. We need many more facts (observations) of equine behavior and sound scientific interpretations.
Greetings,
Roger Abrantes
Dear Dr. Abrantes,
I am certain that many observers of free-ranging horses have observed this, or similar behaviors’. Most are passed-off as anecdotal evidence due to lack of numbers or observations, descriptions, media footage, or a common database where these types of observations can be accumulated. I am grateful that Becky and the friends at Salt River Wild horses have captured Champ’s sequence of behavior photographically and have shared it so readily. They too are an example of altruistic behavior.
Thank you for your enlightening contribution on Kin selection which is surely one of the most important driving factors of altruistic behavior.
Warm regards,
Victor Ros
In the wild they can use their intelligence and instincts. Domesticated they have to do our way and it suffocates them. l aim for the best of both worlds. We must have a safe horse but l allow my horses to be natural too and care for me. Like all animals there is a person inside them and they know the past, the present and the future. Listen to them and you will be amazed what you will learn.
Beautiful story and pictures .. yes, I truely believe horses have Souls. Thank you for sharing.
I started to read this story on facebook and had to finish it, so I came here. It is amazing how quickly people lose site of how much a personality and spirit and individual a horse or any creature on this planety is. They see it, they want it, they claim it, they dominate it and then they mold it to what they want it to be! In that process, that being, it losses who they are. It is such a sad loss!
I have a friend who has taken in five mustangs who were gathered from BLM land and I have been impressed how they are not “broken”. Every one of those horses have complete personalities and they are a family! I know it is not the same as being in the wild, but it is pretty close and they are not in a small pen, they has a sizable mountain area to roam.
Thank you for sharing this story!
Very thoughtful observations, both Victor and Debbie. I wholeheartedly agree. . . especially thanking the curious photographers who went out often enough to be there. That’s as good as it gets
Thanks for this wonderfull story, now my Friday will be fantastic
)
Thank you for this beautiful story. In many cases the role of the stallions is forgotten. His role is very big and important to the herd, also is the father role very important for the growing of the foals. I see in my little flock, the dad is a lot with their foals and teach their important lessons.
Hope that humans once going to see, that put the stallions alone in a stabble ore away from the herd, is a drastic action for the animal itself, but also for the naation of the foals.
It is very speci how the stallion teach his foals, and with what dedication and patience it sometimes happened. My foals are very pleased that they are not alone with their mothers are free to walk, but also with their fathers. I hope
many people will do so, this is for the simple reason, it helps the horses back to remember who they are. And give them the opportunity to be themselves. I do , hope you too
Lots of Love
Monique Ros