Wild Mustangs of the Rockies
Text and images copyright D. Robert and Lorri Franz, all rights reserved

Hot, dusty, and discouraged I said to Lorri, "I know one more road where I've seen horses before.” Pointing to the south I added, “It leads toward the higher elevation of Green Mountain. Let’s give it a try.”

Three days of hard searching had yielded nothing but disappointing results. We had come across a few smaller bands of horses but not the large bands of mares and foals we really hoped to find. Less than a month earlier, on my way to Yellowstone National Park, I had found a good number of horses in this particular area including a large band with several newborn foals. But now they seem to have disappeared. After talking with the local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel who indicated that due to the ongoing drought the herds were concentrated near permanent water sources, we realized our search would likely be difficult.

The first 5 or 6 miles bumping down this rutted and dusty road seemed to be as fruitless as most of the trip had been. As we crested a small rise, a large basin to the southwest came into view and something on the distant hillside caught my eye. I stopped the vehicle quickly, grabbed my 10x40 Bausch & Lomb binoculars, and to my delight, wild horses were everywhere. By quick count I could see at least 50 horses in 5 or 6 different bands. Our long hard search had finally paid off; we had found the mother load.

Wyoming hosts the second largest population of wild horses in the United States, second only to Nevada, with an estimated 7000 head. The horses range primarily in the mid-south to southwest portion of the state near the population centers of Rawlins and Rock Springs. Other herds can be seen more centrally near Lander or in the north near Worland and Cody. Interstate 80 bisects the primary horse range and is a good starting point to begin your search for these “icons of the old west.” By definition, a wild horse is an unbranded and unclaimed free-roaming horse living on public land. They are the descendents of horses released by or escaped from Spanish explorers, Indian tribes, settlers, ranchers, prospectors, and the U.S. Cavalry from as early as the 1600's to recent times. By an act of Congress(P. L. 92-195, The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971) the BLM is responsible for the protection, management, and control of wild horses.

Wild horses are majestic and exciting photographic subjects. Not only are they colorful and animated but they also live in beautiful wild country where the chances of running into crowds are practically non-existent. Their size and preference for open country make them fairly easy to spot. The temperament of wild horses can range from extremely shy to fairly approachable. We have had some of our best results using our Chevrolet Suburban as a blind. Many of the horses we have encountered seem to accept a vehicle more readily than a human on foot. On one occasion we tried to set up a portable blind on a well-used waterhole and the horses would not come in at all. If we sat in the vehicle at the same waterhole, the horses seemed fine with our presence.

Lorri and I consider ourselves very fortunate to live right in the middle of wild horse country here in Cody, Wyoming. We have been able to find a good number of herds that are completely at ease with our presence. We named our favorite stallion, a beautiful paint, “Medicine Hat.” He and his band of mares are completely at ease with Lorri and me, providing us with some incredible photographic opportunities. At times, curious horses in this herd have approached us so closely we were able to make great images with a 17mm lens. The breeding season, which starts in May after the mares foal, is the very best time of year for interactive photography. Interactions between the stallion, his mares, and the ever-antagonizing “wannabe” lead stallions make for interesting and exciting photography.

We have found the most productive method to photograph wild horses is to drive the back roads in good habitat where wild horses are known to live and search for bands of horses. Once we find a herd we try to maneuver the vehicle into a favorable photo position. Often the horses are curious and slowly move closer to investigate and this can lead to excellent photo opportunities. If they don’t approach us, we try to get as close as possible in the Suburban on the available roads and use our long lenses to get the images we want. Another strategy, which has proven successful in the past, is to set up in our vehicle at a waterhole which local bands of horses are known to be using and wait for them to come in. Horses will usually go to water several times a day and you should get plenty of action using this method.

Telephoto lenses are a necessity for wild horse photography. My primary lens is the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS on the EOS 1D Mark II camera body. I also have at hand a second camera body fitted with either my 70-200mm F2.8L, ideal for “horse in the landscape” photos, or my 300mm F2.8L, excellent for fast action. Lorri sets up with her Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens on her Canon EOS 20D camera body and within easy reach her EF100-400mm IS lens on another body. We always keep the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters handy in the event more focal length is needed. When photographing from the SUV, Lorri sits in the backseat directly behind me so we can both photograph out the windows on the same side of the car. We use beanbags or window mounts to steady our lenses. For a quick grab shot we just throw the beanbag on the window seal and are ready to fire away. When shooting for extended periods of time or with more advance notice, window mounts are preferred.

Wyoming’s horse range is big, rugged, wild, and remote. At times, especially for people from more populated areas of the country, the solitude can be overwhelming. To travel safely in this country you must be prepared. Many of the roads are dirt or gravel and often rough and require vehicles with higher clearance and 4-wheel drive. Most of the land the wild horses inhabit is administered by the BLM and they produce some excellent maps that are an absolute must; basic map reading skills are a necessity. These maps may be purchased at regional BLM offices. Your vehicle should be equipped with a compass or I suggest you carry one with you. GPS units are invaluable in remote areas of Wyoming. I recommend you carry plenty of water, some food and basic survival gear in your vehicle in case of emergency. In many of the areas that you’ll be searching for horses, you might not ever encounter another vehicle during your off-highway travels.

Wild horse photography is a true Wild West wilderness photography experience. The wild horses are fascinating. The solitude is spiritual. The remote and beautiful landscape is awe-inspiring. You are sure to come away with many great and unique photographs. We highly recommend a trip to the land of the “Wild Mustang.”