July 28, 1998

In mid-July 1998, a young wild horse with an injured left hind leg came to the attention of people in the Storey County area in the Virginia Range Mountains. VRWPA, based in Storey County, and Wild Horse Spirit, based in Washoe County, began receiving phone calls about the little one shortly before the 4^th of July weekend. As with most callers the description of the horse ranged from a 3 month old to a 9 month old Palomino. Well, the little one turned out to be a 4 ½ months old filly. Interestingly, a Wild Horse Spirit volunteer, Betty, had photographed & videoed her earlier with her small band on 4-19-98. At that time the little one was felt to be about one month old, beautiful, healthy and feisty.

Blondie's Profile. 9-11-98 Photos  on this page by Betty Kelly

Of more concern, the little one was now dragging a cowboy rope around her neck, plus coping with her leg injury. The search became more intense. Since wild horses are migratory and do not spend much time in any one place, finding her was not easy. Luckily, volunteers from Wild Horse Spirit and VRWPA traced her to around a home where Carol and her mother, Jenny, provided water for the small band and knew the horses well. With Bobbi and Betty from Wild Horse Spirit and Olivia from VRWPA, a trap was set up using portable panels on Carol and Jenny’s property who graciously allowed us to catch "Blondie". This would allow better evaluation of her injury. Carol and Jenny were very concerned about Blondie and what would happen to her. Once she was trapped, her wounds were such that a one-shot treatment would not be possible. Wild Horse Spirit trailered her to Bonde Lane Equine Clinic in Reno where, under anesthesia, a veterinarian debrided and dressed her left rear leg wounds, gave her extra hydrating IV fluids and started IV antibiotics. Her wounds were serious. She would not have survived in the wild.

Blondie saying goodbye to her mother -7-10-98

After a week of intensive treatment at the clinic, Blondie was trailered from the vet hospital to the private home of Sherry and Dennie for further outpatient care under supervision of Dr. Michele Peacock. Sherry and Dennie had other adopted wild horses, including one named Arrow. Blondie was able to socialize with other "wild" ones who not only welcomed her and but were delighted with her. In retrospect, from the description of the band and Blondie’s mother, it is felt this same home had cared for and eventually adopted Blondie’s sister, "Arrow", the year before after Arrow was shot in the chest with an arrow. Currently, Blondie’s leg is still being treated. There is no guarantee that her leg will fully recover. In her favor is that she is young and we are all pulling for her. Blondie is looking for an adoptive home who is committed to giving her a loving, caring and life-long home.

UPDATE: On 9-23-98, Blondie, still recovering from her injury, traveled from her transient care home to her permanent adoptive home in Gardnerville, Nevada, where she will have open lush pastures, the love of her new adopter, Jan, and, of course, companionship with other wild horses, Sparky, Sugar and Daisy. She indeed is a special wild one with a wonderful disposition. Yes, and Arrow is her older sister.

7-10-98 Blondie's beautiful Virginia Range bay mother.