In May, as I was looking for wild horses in Arapahoe Creek, I saw several bands at a distance. I looked for a two track that might take me nearby, and was soon traveling toward three wild horse families. One of these families had a gorgeous black and white stallion and three pinto foals, a stunning dappled grey mare and two pinto mares. I spent some time walking toward them. At first, they seemed concerned about my presence, but after moving out and around, settled down to graze.
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker154.jpg)
The mares and foals look at a distant family
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Black pinto mare and colt with Gadriel move out
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Settling down to graze
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Napping in front of the snow covered Wind River range
The sorrel pinto filly seemed fascinated with me and kept watching me. I think I was likely the first human she had seen.
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker151.jpg)
The sorrel pinto filly
The next time I encountered this amazing family was a month later in June. They were in the same area, and when I approached, the stallion I named Gadriel came closer and close to me, as if he were trying to figure me out. I had never seen this family before, and I could tell they had not been together before the 2020 roundup because there were no yearlings or two year olds. I was just as fascinated by him as he was with me.
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker149.jpg)
Gadriel walks close
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Portrait of Gadriel
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker147.jpg)
The black pinto mare and colt snuggle
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Stunning dappled grey mare and colt
In that early morning it was a joy sitting and spending time with them. The two black and white foals were both colts and the sorrel pinto was the only filly but she held her own!
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker146.jpg)
Girls Rule!
The next day I saw the whole family coming back from watering, and was finally able to get all three foals together in one image.
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22CarolWalker152.jpg)
All three foals
It is a true privilege when a family of wild horses lets me spend time with them, and let me into their world for a short time. It is a gift of peace and connection that I treasure, and I hope to continue spending time with them in the years to come.
![](https://www.livingimagescjw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CarolWalkerGadrielComesClose.jpg)
Gadriel Comes Close