Fundraiser At Culver’s!

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Fundraiser At Culver’s!

July 2, 2019

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Stop by Culver’s this week July 1st thru July 7th and enjoy a meal or dessert and show your support. Just let the cashier know you’re there to support the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.

Rosy Update

Come to the Final Race of the Night Mare series by Run Your Race AZ!

Shadowfax has retired: Retirement of a lead stallion in the wild

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] With a bit of a stiff hip and his...

Shadowfax found alive, but far from family

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] While there may be more important news in our...

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It is our goal to protect and preserve the Salt River Wild Horses in their current habitat. To get our alerts please sign up and get involved!

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The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group is an Arizona 501 c(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible.

UPDATES

Shadowfax has retired: Retirement of a lead stallion in the wild Sunday, 31, May
Shadowfax found alive, but far from family Sunday, 31, May
The bigger picture. 📸 Saturday, 30, May

Moment of silence
for 917 Arizonans and over 103,000 Americans who died of Covid19 ... See MoreSee Less

2 hours ago

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Thank you for sharing the tranquility of the beautiful wild horses!

That is so soothing sounding and seeing the horses so calm and relaxed in fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

Totally crying.. it's like the Budweiser commercial after 9-11... R.I.P...

And just like that, my stress is gone.. they are truly magical healers... Thank you for sharing. My heart needed that.

❤️

♡

THANK YOU 🙏 for a moment of peace and beauty.

Beautiful ! That picture is serenity in a time of chaos!

Very soothing! Thank you.

Thank you 🙏🏻♥️

Tricia Normoyle Showerman

Lisa Leoni Valory

Perfection. Much needed 💜

This is such a relief from all the crap happening in our country....thank you soooo much!

Beautiful and peaceful God bless the Salt river wild horses

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Retirement of a lead stallion in the wild

With a bit of a stiff hip and his left eye half closed, the beautiful old stallion definately looks like he has been in a battle. We are glad that he chose retirement, before he hurt himself worse, as we have seen that too. (Wisdom)

We all loved seeing the little family of three within the bigger band of Shadowfax and Diego. But just like Shadowfax seems to accept his retirement willingly, we, as their protection organization, we accept that this is the way of the wild.

Shadowfax was born on he Salt River before 2004, at which time he was already an adult. It is too bad that we do not know how much older (no pictures dating further than that) but his teeth indicate he is well over 20.

His reign was long and succesful. Before there was Sapphire, there was Ms. Shadowfax.
They had many succesful offspring together, all of whom are greys (two greys make only greys, who then also make only greys). With Sapphire, Shadowfax made more greys, but also beautiful bays with blazes, who all inherited his stocky strong conformation too.

We have monitored Shadowfax not only through his terrible case of strangles, but we have seen him get through some very meager years and some terrible bouts of colic.

When little Gem went septic as a foal, (with a broken left phalanx) and could no longer get up, it is hard to forget what Shadowfax did.
When we could not find her anywhere, he took us right to where she laid, and he watched as we carried her to safety, almost, as if to say please take care of her.

He has known nothing but freedom and family his whole life and he fiercely stood for both. The burden of a lead stallion is 24/7 constant vigilance, watching for danger, making decisions; their jobs are definately not easy and they rarely take a break.

When you come too close to a band of wild horses, you can bet that the horse who is watching you closely is the lead stallion. When you see a horse positioning his own body in front of his foals, in order to protect them, you can bet that is the lead stallion. If you see a lowered neck and snaking of foals and mares, you can bet that is the lead stallion, keeping his band together, and safe.

Lead stallions are amazing. It saddens us that when wild horses are rounded up, it is the lead stallions that break their necks against the paneling, trying to get to their families, and when they get to auctions, they are usually the ones who do not get rescued.

Here at the Salt River, they get to live out a peaceful retirement. Here at the Salt River, while Shadowfax no longer reigns, their freedom still does.

What will happen to him next? Many old lead stallions live a very long and peaceful retirement. Maybe he will trail his band for a while and maybe he will take the role of teaching a group of young bachelors the ways if the wild.

His body condition is not going to get any better as he ages and eventually, he too will die of old age. We do not want to be blamed for his condition, we are not going to rescue him; he deserves to live out his life in the wild.

However if we ever witness him no longer able to get up, we will provide him a dignified and humane ending, like we have for several old patriarchs and matriarchs of the Salt River.

With that we want to thank all of you for your support, and we want to thank the AZDA under which we can manage these wild horses humanely.

We believe that humane management is all about balance. That balance can be found, right in the middle of nature and humanity.

If you agree, please give us a 5 star review here on our Facebook page. Cheers to a life lived in freedom and a long peaceful retirement for old Shadowfax.

WWW.SRWHMG.ORG

Pictures by SRWHMG Karen Carney, taken yesterday 5.30.20 ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

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I’m so proud of this organization...for following and keeping a watchful eye on this special herd with love, wisdom and unending effort. Thank you every day.

That was a beautiful tribute to all aging stallions and mares, thank you for that as I sit here with a smile and teary eyes.

He is a wonderful example of what a lead stallion should be. He was was always gallant. Well, he is still gallant. He is also recognizable for his stature and knowing his own self worth. He would be a great Sargent and grand uncle in a band. Let others do the battles. You have served well.

Oh gosh I’m crying...as I often do when I read your eloquent compassionate writings about these beautiful wild and free animals. Thank you for all you do. It is truly appreciated.

Thank you for this information, which allows us to view this from an educated, lucid and non-emotional place. A lot can happen in the next few days, I think the amazing Shadowfax will find his way as he always has, on his terms. Exactly why he exemplifies "Wild and Free" for so many of us!!

Thank you so much for caring for these beautiful animals and for letting them live naturally however hard that may be to see, I know you will not let him suffer and hope he has a long and safe retirement x

How wonderful for him to have the wisdom to move on to his next phase of life! He sure deserves a peaceful retirement on the river. What a remarkable beauty of nature 💜

Thank you. He is such a gorgeous horse.Hope to see him on the river as he is so photogenic. The bachelors need him. Thank you for your humane management.

Shadowfax is an amazing stallion..I have watched him nurture his children and witnessed him playing with young bachelors...Shadowfax is the fun uncle that the kids all love. Enjoy your retirement Shadowfax...💕💕💕💕

Your posts make it crystal clear how much the SRWHMG loves and cares for all of our beloved Salties. Thank you for your constant care and humane management of all the bands large and small.

Thanks for the update. Tears are falling but know it’s the way of the wild—. Not only horses but all wild animals. Bless you Shadowfax. You are loved by so many

Sad, but ever so beautiful. The ways of the wild can be hard on those who love these beautiful creatures. Thank you for his story.

You always do right by these beautiful souls. I hope he has a restful retirement as long as possible, as we all like life to be! Take a break Shadowfax, its your turn now. 😊

He is so beautiful. I love him.so.much. ♥️

Shadowfax is an amazing horse. He always will be ❤️

He's got a very special place in my heart as I know he does for so many. Thank you SRWHMG volunteers for braving the elements and the very nasty to heat to locate him. He knows he's loved and it's time now for him to rest easy. 💕💕

Thank you for the insight into the lives and habits of these great animals. Thank you for keeping a watchful eye on them, as well. You and your team are outstanding!!

You guys are all amazing for what you do.❤️It’s a hard road for both human and animal, but you all made it the very best you could. Yes, we as humans will also retire some day! It’s a blessing not given to all ,so we appreciate it. I hope Shadowfax will find comfort in his retirement. Bless you all ❤️❤️ humans and horses

Wonderful information. Thank you! I hope shadowfax lives a long life on the river. I know your volunteers will keep an eye on him. I am for humane management. I never want to see unnecessary suffering for these beautiful wild horses. ❤️🐴❤️

It was an honor. You are absolutely amazing. Wishing you peace. (Cropped and zoomed at Butcher Jones).

I will tell you what I witnessed this morning was Shadowfax fighting to regain his mare. I have videos showing such. Is he beat up? Yep, he has been fighting for her. Not once but three times this morning. Diego ran him across the river, but guess who came back? Maybe he will eventually give up and take retirement gracefully, but not today folks.

You do an amazing job and should be highly commended for all your hard work trying to ensure the horses safety. I hope the government agencies will continue to support you.

Very touching side of the Wild Horse story that most people have no exposure to. Well done.

Thank you all so much for watching over this once super strong, protective soul. He deserves the very best. He worked his entire adult life for his family and loved them to his core. ❤️🐴❤️

Thank you so much for all that you do. Humanely managing beings is of the utmost importance. He is such a beautiful stallion and so valiant. He deserves to live out his days in the wild. Many blessings. 🙏🏼💕

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While there may be more important news in our country right now, we do want to give you the news tonight that Shadowfax is alive. However it appears that he has been chased away by a stronger younger stallion, away from his mare.

It's fairly safe to say that this little family is the most talked about and that old Shadowfax (in the middle) might be the most loved Salt River wild horse in the herd.

He is incredibly tough and has overcome the most severe of injuries more than once, and has been a most severe protector of his family.

But this morning we confirmed that he was not with his beloved mare, who recently gave birth to his offspring. We kindof jumped to the worst conclusion, since we know he would not leave them willingly.

So in spite the extreme temperatures, our volunteers have been searching for him all day. He was found, alone, quite far away from where his family is.

We are documenting and will share some pictures tomorrow. He looks beat and tired and has lost weight, but does not appear to have any life threatening injuries. We will check him over again tomorrow and let you know more then. Please stay tuned, and please support our mission. Thank you SRWHMG.

📸 Picture by SRWHMG Rick Blandford

👉To support our mission please visit saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org/donate/ ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

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My heart is full of sadness but so happy to hear he is still with us. Thank you for taking action to look in on his well-being and sharing this update.

I feel so bad for Shadowfax. He is an icon of the river. I wish he could be with his beloved mare but understand this is part of living wild. In my heart I hope they find each other again. Thank you so much volunteers that gave up their time and searched for him in this heat.

I’m so relieved he was found alive! Thank you all who went out looking for him. I know this happens when stallions get older but this is truly heartbreaking. 💔

I thought I saw him last wknd when we rode by on the bike by the road, all alone and just standing there with his head down. I said to my husband that’s either a young male that was pushed away from the band or a older one. Looked healthy but it was sad to see him there all by himself.

I am glad to know he is alive...but saddened that he has lost his family. My heart hurts for him 💕 Thank you to all the SRWHMG volunteers that spent time looking for him.

He is such a good old stallion. His new foal would have learned alot from his kind, wise ways. Thank you for keeping us informed as he is deep in our hearts. I treasure the countless hours I have spent in his presence, all he has shown me, taught me and allowed me to photograph. I hope for a few more years of seeing His Royal Majesty, hopefully in the company of other horses.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who trekked out in the heat to find him! Hopefully he won't be alone for too long.

Glad he is alive and hope he will be with his family again! Thanks for the update! Will be watching and waiting for more news! That family is my fsvorite!

I guess we all knew this day would come. This couple, and I call them a couple because that is how we all see them, has been a cherished miracle of sorts. They are closer and more bonded than most human couples. My heart breaks for their loss of each other especially with the birth of their foal. I am relived to hear that he was found and is in good shape. Thank you SWRHMG for keeping an eye on him....and watching over him. Hoping with all my heart that they will find their way back to each other or that he will find some friends and spend the rest of his days in content retirement. Always the King <3

This is the way of nature. Shadowfax has LOOONG been King. He has long held his position and Sapphire may not stay w the new stallion, she may leave or may not bc of the foal. This is the way. This is nature, Shadowfax has battled some major issues/illness he may no longer be capable of leading. And while this breaks our hearts, the horses know more than we do, they know it. They accept it bc this is how it is. Sapphire may find her way to him yet, keep us posted

So happy he is alive and basically OK. What a relief!!

I don't know all the horses but they are so gorgeous. Glad he was found even though he was alone. Would the mare and foal come back or would the new stallion drive the herd away for he can't find them to try and take the family back once healed and feeling better? Hope he gets the little family back again. Thank you for sharing this information and all that you do for these horses.

It sucks getting old! I'm glad he was found but this hurts my heart...😢 thank you everyone who looked for our Shadowfax..

I’m so glad he was found alive. I hate seeing him without Sapphire but you never know maybe she’ll get back to him. Their band really had an interesting dynamic!

So happy he was found. Sad he lost his family. 💔. Thanks to all who found him.

Thank you for this information!! My heart breaks for him, but this is the way of wild horses.

So glad Shadowfax was located... maybe he can find a couple bachelors to hang out with until he regains his strength.

This horse is absolutely gorgeous!

very good picture....

Shadowfax has had a wonderful long wild life and if not for Diego’s generous tolerance, he would not have even had Sapphire’s companionship these past few years after he lost his own band. I hope Shadowfax has peaceful healing days ahead, whether back with Sapphire or in elder stallion retirement mode with some younger boys to mentor. It’s the way of the wild. 💔

Incredibly sad that he is alone. He has fought through so much and been such a protector to his family. Heartbreaking to see Saphire and his new addition without him by their side.

Thankfully he has been found, when he was not there this morning I was afraid he was no longer alive as this is the most unique band on the river. Very unusual for an older stallion to still have a mare, much less with other stallions. His band, especially his mare and son stayed by his side as he fought a really bad case of strangles. Was not hard to see that there is something really special with this stallion. He will heal and can't wait to see what evolves in his life. This is the time of year when bands change their members, the younger bachelors bachelors are coming into their prime.

So glad he was found and is alive. Prayers that he will heal and return to his band and family. 🙏

Glad he is alive.. 😪 another moved in on his family.. will be heart breaking for him

My heart is broken...but am finding great comfort in knowing he’s being watched over by you ...😔😔😔❌⭕️ Thank you.

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Fundraiser At Culver’s!

Fundraiser At Culver’s!

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