Challenge Painting #362 Mares and Foals Of Corolla

Mares and Foals of Corolla
Outer Banks, NC
6 by 9 inches Original Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$275.00

If  you are interested in are interested in chatting with and sharing experiences with many of the people who own wild horses on the east coast and about the east coast wild herds come join our group on Facebook:
The East Coast Wild Horse Caravan Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/499658910048917/
We share the latest news from all the organizations that manage and care for island wild horses along the east cost as well as other interesting facts about and experiences with wild horses from all over the country that live on the east coast now.

Special Thanks to Kim Galluzo the photographer  who provided the reference shots for the Corolla Wild Mustang Horses. You can see more of Kim's Photographs on her facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NaturesBeauties

Kim also has a website:  http://kim-galluzzo.artistwebsites.com

Challenge Painting #361 Raymond the Wild Mule Of Corolla

"Raymond"
Wild Mule of Corolla
Outer Banks of North Carolina
6 by 9 inches Original watercolor
by Linda L Martin
$195.00

If  you are interested in are interested in chatting with and sharing experiences with many of the people who own wild horses on the east coast and about the east coast wild herds come join our group on Facebook:
The East Coast Wild Horse Caravan Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/499658910048917/
We share the lastest news from all the orgs that manage and care for island wild horses along the east cost as well as other interesting facts about and experiences with wild horses from all over the country that live on the east coast now.

Special Thanks to Kim Galluzo the photographer  who provided the reference shots for the Corolla Wild Mustang Horses. You can see more of Kim's Photographs on her facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NaturesBeauties?ref=ts&fref=ts

Challenge Painting #360 Sand Wash Basin Gelding Internet Adoption

"Thunder"
Sand Wash Basin HMA Gelding #7726
Currently at Honor Farm Wyoming.
4 by 6 inches Original Watercolor
by  Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00
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I was looking at the photos of  the horse they call Thunder. He is currently at  Honor Farm in Wyoming. Boy is he a chunky charming stock horse type. And from the looks of it he is a nice easy keeper.

Ive noticed that lot of this stock horse type from Sand Wash Basin are indeed easy keepers.  If you get a chance look at some of the photos of the Bachelor Stallion  Cowboy. He really has the build. In this day and age a good easy keeper is a valuable asset in farm and ranch working  horses. 

Thunder has been started under-saddle and needs to be fine tuned and have some experience. From the people Ive talked to who own some of these Sand Wash Basin horses, it takes a bit of time to get into their heart; but once you do, they give their soul for you.  Please take a chance on this lovely boy. If you can not adopt, then share with your friends.   Remember if he doesn't sell, grab his id number you can still get him once you have that info.

Internet Auction Information On Thunder:

Honor Farm Wyoming

Sex: Gelding Age: 6 Years   Height (in hands): 14.2
Necktag #: 7726   Date Captured: 10/17/08
Color: Chestnut   Captured: Sand Wash Basin (CO)

Notes:
#7726 - 6 yr old chestnut gelding, captured Oct 2008 from Sand Wash Basin HMA, Colorado.
 

TRAINING UPDATE: “Thunder“ is saddle-started.
Thunder is in training at the WY Honor Farm. For more information, email Scott Fluer, Wild Horse Specialist, BLM Lander Field Office at: sfluer@blm.gov or call 307-332-8413.

Pick up options (by appt): Rock Springs, WY; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Mercedes, TX (January 17); Marianna, FL (January 25); Del Rio, TX (January 31).Shipping options for this animal must be finalized by November 19. After this date, all unclaimed animals will be available for in-person walk up adoption ONLY.
   
   
The opening bid is $125.00          You must be approved to bid and logged in.
If you already logged in, you must have completed an application and it must be approved before you can place a bid.

Link to participate in the online auction:
https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5552

To see Cowboy and the other horses currently on the range at Sand Wash Basin HMA connect here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sand-Wash-Basin-Wild-Horses/101181969939406?fref=ts

Challenge Painting #359 Blue, Palomino Valley Holding Facility Happy Mustang Adopted.

Blue
Bay Roan Born in the Palomino Valley Holding Facility
14 years old  
Watercolor 4 by 6 inches
by Linda L Martin Artist
SOLD

Internet Adoption: Sand Wash Basin Wild HMA Mare Challenge Painting #358

Update:  This beautiful Mustang Mare was one of 10 Sand Wash Basin Mares along with the stallion, Regal G who was adopted from the Canon City Prison Program and placed into Sanctuary at Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary in Colorado. You can read more about the Sanctuary at www.greatescapesanctuary.org

Sand Wash Basin Mare #7178
Available for adoption via the BLM intenet adoption.
4 by 6 inches watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00

A very elegant mare.

As I was painting this mare to night what struck me was her eyes. And the way she is built she looks just like Barbie, Jimmy Darksand's mare. She is 4 years old and one of 7 young Sand Wash Basin HMA mares at Canyon City in their holding Facility. In the spring of 2013 I will be hopefully painting the other 6 young mares in hopes of getting their info and helping get them adopted as well. They come in a varity of colors and I really cant wait to see them. For now though we really need to get this mare into a good home or sanctuary. If you cant adopt her.. pass this around to your friends. Thank you so much for your help. This sweet mare's info is below:

She seems to be a very nice mover.

Info on #7818
Sex: Mare Age: 4 Years   Height (in hands): 14.3
Necktag #: 7818   Date Captured: 10/17/08
Color: Gray   Captured: Sand Wash Basin (CO)

Notes:
#7818 - 4 yr old gray mare, captured Oct 2008, in the Sandwash Basin HMA, Colorado.
This horse is currently located in Canon City. For more information, contact Lona Kossnar at 719-269-8539 or lona_kossnar@blm.gov.

Pick up options (by appt): Canon City, CO; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Mercedes, TX (January 17); Marianna, FL (January 25); Del Rio, TX (January 31).
Shipping options for this animal must be finalized by November 19. After this date, all unclaimed animals will be available for in-person walk up adoption ONLY.
     
The opening bid is $125.00       

  You must be approved to bid and logged in. If you already logged in, you must have completed an application and it must be approved before you can place a bid.

Here is where to bid: The link to the BLM Internet Auction you can bid on this mare or look over the other available horses: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=5524

If you like this mare and you were not able to bid she will be available to adopt as a walk up. But you need to have her number and information so they can find her. There are hundereds of horses in the holding facility at Canon City Colorado.

If you would like to see some photos of Barbie, the mare still running wild, that looks so much like the mare I painted tonight, please go to the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horses Page and take a look at the thousands of photos of the Sand Wash Basin herd in Colorado. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sand-Wash-Basin-Wild-Horses/101181969939406?ref=ts&fref=ts

Challenge Painting #357 Two Socks Corolla Herd from The Outer Banks of North Carolina

"Two Socks"
Wild Stallion of Corolla Herd in Currituck County North Carolina
8 by 10 inches Watercolor  Original
by Artist Linda L Martin
$350.00

The Story of Two Socks is a sad one that came to my attention last May shortly after my birthday. Two Socks was a very popular stallion  who was seen often  and remembered by repeated visitors to the islands as they watched his family grow and develop.  Two Socks, a beautiful black stallion, was given his name his name from his two hind socks.

Two Socks is also a story of the challenges of managing the of  wild horses in areas where development is happening quickly. While local governments are struggling to play catch up with regulations, they are also trying to increase their tax base in order to provide services necessary to those moving into the new developments.  It is the challenge of land that has multiple use and multiple owners. All the while sustaining the population of wildlife and wild horses in a dwindling habitat. It is a further challenge because land is limited simply because these are islands.

The beach at Corolla is also considered a main road for 4x4 vehicles and a way for people to get to their homes, as well as to visit the Atlantic Beach for sun and swimming. Driving has always been permitted on the beach as long as I can remember and at this time there is no real move to close a portion of the beach to vehicles.

Wild Banker Horses share the beach
roads on the islands of the Outer Banks.
The non-profit Corolla Wild Horse Fund
was formed by concerned citizens a result
of 19+  wild  horses loosing their lives
to altercations with vehicles on the open
road. In addition to educating the public,
there is a fine of $500 if one harms a 
Wild Horse in the county. The Corolla Wild
Horse fund is currently working on
legislation at the state and federal levels
to put additional  protections in place for
this historically significant and loved herd.
Photography by Kim Galluzzo.
Used by Permission

On the night of May 28th the black stallion, Two Socks, was either defending his band or having a bit of frolic on the beach with his mares when it was reported that he ran into a vehicle and received terminal injuries. Speed was not an issue with the vehicle, nor was alcohol, according to newspaper accounts. The driver was said to be very fond of the wild horses on the island and was heart sick at the accident.

While a lot of people want to place blame in this situation, anyone who has faced a wild deer on a back country road in the dead of night knows that brown is hard to see if there is no additional light. Two Socks was a deep blue black and would have been impossible to see on that dark moonless evening running through the sand. Having spent a night or two on the beach at the Outer Banks myself as a child I know how dark it can get even with the white sand on a starry night.
It is incredibly sad to have lost one such as this noble stallion in any circumstances, especially, one such as he, who was so well loved.  At some point, and soon, changes that favor the safety and preservation of the horses will need to be made to lessen and end the opportunity for the devastating impact of such accidents.

To read more about the  management and challenges of  protecting the Wild Horses of the Outer Banks and what is being done to protect them and their habitat please go to: http://www.corollawildhorses.com/management/

Reference photography for tonight's painting provided by Kim Galluzzo.  Information about Two Socks and the challenges of  managing horses in a suburban area was gathered from personal experience, stories from people visiting the Outer Banks, a variety of local and regional news publications including the Virginia Pilot News Paper.

Image #356 Reflections (Finished) Corolla Herd from The Outer Banks of North Carolina

"Reflections"
Corolla Wild Horse
8 by 10 inches Original Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$350.00

The Corolla wild horses are actually genetically mustangs. After having been tested at the onset of the current preservation efforts, it was found that the highest portion of their DNA came from the Barb and Arabian Horses of Spain, probably brought into the area from trading with the Spanish Settlers that settled in  Florida and South Georgia during the 1500s.

These small horses  are sometimes called Banker Horses or Banker Ponies because of their size. Usually they are about the size of a mid-sized pony when running in the wild. The reason they are so small is because of their diet of marsh grasses.Their thin bloated belly appearance is caused by drinking brackish water. In-fact  in the whole of the Outer Banks island system there is no fresh water for wild things, except when the occasional  rain storm fills in the gathering pools. At one time, before development encroached in to the range of the horses, they also would dig through the sand to find fresh water according to one account of their history.

A wild Banker Horse grazes  next to
a housing development. These horses
desperately need  the protection
of an uninhibited range. Since the
development of residential areas along
the islands of the Outer Banks of
North Caroline, the horses not only
have to compete with thousands of
tourists, but also huge numbers
of houses cluttering their habitat.
Photography by Kim Galluzzo.
Used by Permission

Unlike the  Chincoteague  and Assateague ponies  in Virginia, Banker Horses are found in solid colors of bay, chestnut, Chestnut with Flaxen Manes and Tails,  black, brown, and buckskin. They do, on occasion, have some white markings, sometimes on their faces and/or their legs below the knee. The horses are currently managed by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

Like all the wild horses on the Eastern barrier Islands of the United States, the Corolla herd is not protected under the Wild Horse And Burro Act. To read more about the Corolla herd and what they are doing to have the herd legally protected, you can read about the history and goals here: http://www.corollawildhorses.com/facts-and-history/

Reference photography for tonight's painting provided by Kim Galluzzo.