Sapphire has a stunning blue eye, its called a complete heterochromia.

Complete heterochromia is caused by a lack of the pigment melanin in all or part of one eye. It’s a harmless genetic mutation that gives an animal two different-colored eyes. Among the Salt River wild horses, there are a couple of stunning blue-eyed beauties—

Now, have you ever heard the saying, “All looks and no brains”? We wouldn’t necessarily say that about Sapphire… but after watching her for several years, we’ve noticed she may think rather highly of herself. Let’s just say confidence has never been in short supply.

As for motherhood? Well… Sapphire hasn’t been very lucky with her offspring and hasn’t earned the title of Mother of the Year.

She has given birth eight times. Five of her foals are still alive, although two survived only because SRWHMG rescued them after they suffered life-threatening injuries.

To be fair, Sapphire has shown moments of genuine love and tenderness toward her babies—we’ve seen the proof with our own eyes. But more often than not, it was Shadowfax who stepped up as the attentive, nurturing parent.

We often say that animals’ live lives that parallel our own, and Sapphire is a wonderful reminder that, just like people, horses have all kinds of parenting styles. For every devoted super-mom like Venus, there’s another who seems perfectly content letting someone else handle a little more of the childcare.

Parenting quirks aside, Sapphire is thriving, enjoying life on the Salt River exactly where she belongs. And with that unforgettable blue eye sparkling in the Arizona sunshine, she’ll probably keep stealing hearts—and a little extra attention—for many years to come.

And this is As the River Flows.