Opposite Day

free range horse photography of a lush springtime landscape
Early April creates a beautiful playground forThat Herd youngsters.

In stark contrast to current late-summer-blast-furnace conditions, this lush springtime scene is a refreshing reminder that greener days will come again.

Young horses of varied ages frolic in the watershed ponds that come and go during the rainy times. Currently, every living creature is looking for relief from the intense heat and poor air conditions due to wild fires and record breaking temperatures.

Around the Mountain

In an amusing trick of nature, this colt’s white face marking drips down his face seemingly detoured by the large (noble) bump on his face.

When you can’t climb the mountain; go around it!

His coat is dotted with foxtails from napping in the grass. Among the herd he seems like a solid citizen, not too dramatic and not too laid-back.

free range horse photography of a colt with an unusual face marking
Like an ice cream cone dripping down a child’s arm, this colt’s face marking drips down his face and pools at his muzzle.

Three Matching Birthdays

free range horse photography of a mare and her new foal bonding
Not yet on his feet, this new colt meets his mother.

 

free range horse photography of a newborn colt on the move soon after birth
Shortly after birth, this newborn colt kept his mother busy with his bursts of athletic inspiration.

 

free range horse photography of a newborn filly absorbing her surroundings
An elusive subject to photograph, this newborn filly absorbs her new surroundings.

A break during rainy April days brought three new members to That Herd. And I must say, three very individual behaviors for the first hours in the babies lives.

Paradise

free range horse photography of a flashy colt in stunning scenery
Nearly three weeks old and this colt has his first real glamour shot.

The best playground ever!

Baby!

free range horse photography of a newborn foal with deer
Only a day or two old and he’s already a master at loping around.

Everyone welcome the first new That Herd member of 2020; a chestnut colt!

Deer and other wildlife mingling near the horses is a common occurrence.

Memory Lane

wild horse photography portrait of two foals
These two colts had just been running laps around a group of oak trees on a hillside. Several times these two and several others slipped and fell in the dry leaves but jumped up and played on, undeterred. All the foals perform feats of great sure-footedness and stamina from day one. They really seemed to be having fun that morning.
wild horse photography of two colts
Matching colors on these half brothers.

 

wild horse photography of two colts face biting
The colts are in a constant state of provoking, testing, and tolerating each other. The also bond with each other and have a hierarchy of status among their herd-mates.

The blaze-faced chestnut colt was a favorite of all the other foals in 2014. You can see him being lavished with attention by a few of his fellow herd mates in this trio of images. I went back to 2014 to remind everyone that there is lots of interesting content about That Herd that goes back for several years. Also, I should mention that I have lost the use of my computer as it is undergoing a costly repair (again). My photographic productivity is at a standstill. Fresh content will be coming along soon. We have 2020 foals to look forward to!

Lil Whippersnappers

free range horse photography of newly weaned foals on a hilltop
A few of the youngest That Herd weanlings find excitement at a higher elevation.
whip·per·snap·per
/ˈ(h)wipərˌsnapər/
noun
1. a young and inexperienced person weanling considered to be presumptuous or overconfident.

Wildness

free range horse photography of a group of mares running across a grassy hillside
Room to roam inspires a gleeful gallop for a group of mares and foals.

Wildness is not defined by the absence of certain activities, but rather by the presence of certain unique and invaluable characteristics.

Is’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Super Colt!

free range horse photography of a young colt leaping out of a wooded location
A young foal bursts from the woods in an inspired leap.

Conjuring visions of unicorns in mystical forests, this colt displays wondrous confidence and agility for one so young. He was not startled or fleeing, he was simply filled with the joy of life, and acted out with impulsive, light-hearted energy. He was only five days old on this April morning.

In Love With a Ninja

free range horse photography of two foals meeting nose to nose
A delicate meeting between herd mate foals.
free range horse photography of two foals meeting tenderly
The colt closes his eyes to heighten his sensory meeting with a new filly.
free range horse photography of two foals coming to an understanding
Several weeks his inferior, this filly is a force to be reckoned with for this sturdy colt.

With lightening speed, she rises up to administer a (mock) fatal jab. He never saw it coming.

Defending the Dirt Pile

free range horse photography of a foal rearing in mock battle
She’s a scrappy little filly.

In defense of her dirt pile, this filly shows her “I mean business” side. Her quick temper has been displayed with old or young herd mates, and her tireless and doting mother for many weeks.,

Winning the Day

free range horse photography of two frisky weanlings
That Herd weanlings kick up their heels after a heavy rain.

That face you make when second place wins the day.