"The Wild Ones"

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in western North Dakota. Although, called the badlands, it is a beautiful, rugged, and scenic area. As a young man, Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent big game hunter and this particular area was his favorite. He later started a ranch in this area and was very successful, until one bad winter wiped out his stock. He would later become President of the United States.

As President, he championed the cause to turn some of our federal lands into national refuges for wildlife, consequently the National Park system was established. The Roosevelt Memorial National Park was established after his Presidency. In later years, the word Memorial was also removed from the original name. There are two sections to this park, the north and the south. The south park was more scenic and had a greater variety of wildlife and better access throughout the area.

While there, I was able to recognize at least three different herds of wild horses. The herds ranged in size from 6 to 12 horses. Each herd had an established lead stallion, the entire herd revolved around him including the younger studs that were in the herd. I was able to get close to one herd that was led by a big sorrel, it took some time for him to work the herd into where I was at, but once I was detected, he had the herd turned and on the move to safety. Except for gnarled manes and tails, they looked good. They had good body weight and well muscled.

No one knows that much about these horses, their origin is unknown but it is believed that their forefathers were originally horses that had escaped from local ranches and even from the American Indians that inhabit this area. I understand each year a few are rounded up and put out for adoption in order to keep the herd small enough for the area to support them. Lead Stallion Detected My Presence This Is One Of Colts From The Big Black Stallion

"Danger Call"

Black Stallion Was Wanting this Mare to Go While She Was Nursing

Duplicated Picture ~ My Error

Sorrel Stallion When He Detected Me

"Eyeballing Me"

Herd On the Mountain