MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

I’ve been to the Steens Mountains in south central Oregon a couple of times earlier with barely a glimpse of the horses in several herds there. During the first major trip exploring the area with a friend a number of years ago, the South Steens roads were so bad we didn’t even attempt them. After some recent research and learning about the South Steens herd, I took another trip down. I spent a morning going into the South Loop Road, which the BLM has recently made into a very nice raised dirt/gravel road all through the south side. About a mile in I came across a small band, then another, then over 100 horses scattered across a hillside a few hundred yards from the road.

This South Steens herd is also known as “The Hollywood Herd” because they are photogenic and easy to get close to. Tremendous variation in colors. I don’t know how pure this herd’s genetics are to the original Spanish mustangs, but the northeast Steens Kiger and Riddle Mountain herds have the pure genetics as descendants of the original Spanish mustangs.

WARNING: The last photo is not for the squeamish, but it shows how rough a life it is to be a wild horse!

All photos taken with Canon 7D II and 100-400mm II.

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I took about 100 photos of this beautifully colored horse.

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A couple of stallions sizing each other up.

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Another beauty

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The color mixture on this horse is outrageous. Mane is part black, part cream and part white.

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Caught a little action with a couple of stallions. I think it is easy to see who's the boss of this herd. The little guy is getting clear of the rough action.

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Healthy muscular horse in its prime

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A triangle of wild horses. They were looking at a single horse that was approaching them quickly.

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Looks like this young one irritated the wrong horse. Looks like a bite mark at the top, then a rip. But the little guy was moving around freely and seemed okay.

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Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

Neat set of amazing animals.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Beautiful horses. Lots of pintos (paints) in that group. Nice series.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series, Monte.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Excellent series, exciting and interesting! Might just have to check that area out the next time we are out that way. Thanks for sharing.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

wonderful horses.................. love them.......as long as there is a fence between us!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nice set. It was worth the trip.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Beautiful horses.. these are really good...

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Beautiful horses, I enjoyed these images.

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Great horses Monte. That is a nasty looking wound on the little guy in the last shot. The coloring on #2 and #5 is beautiful.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

These as good s it gets with wild horses. Fantastic colors and clear details in all aspects of the shots. And what a variety of species in single herd as well. Nice set sir and more please....can't wait .

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent set, Monte!

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

FYI- The Steens are a LONG way from anywhere. About as remote and away from civilization as you can get today. But was very well worth the drive for me.

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Thanks everyone for looking, and for the nice comments. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Here's a few more to showcase the diversity of the herd.

"The best of friends". These must be young horses since they don't have many bite marks and scars as many do.

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