Wild Horses in the Forest

On a fortunate occasion, while boondocking in Northern Arizona, I awoke to a beautiful visitation, no less than a family of wild horses grazing through our campsites. Tossing their elegant heads as the sun rose, our equine visitors reminded us that the land was theirs, and we were only camping.

A German tourist and I, both out for an early walk with our dogs, paused on the forest road to enjoy the spectacle. My neighbors to the east had done the unthinkable, leaving their food exposed to wild elements. Boxes and containers galore invited hungry creatures to forage, none of which were bears, thankfully. Of all the animals one might hope to see in a campsite at sunrise, wild horses top the list, their charms being majestic as well as benign in most cases. However, there was also a certain sadness to the occasion, highlighting the vulnerability of our forests and serene desert landscapes.  

True, the horses of rim country are gentle, but their tameness places them in danger; they remain vulnerable to malicious humans, as well as the numerous offroad vehicles that invade the land. Horses of the forest are indeed a fragile and majestic resource, always in need of their space.  

What are some of your most memorable experiences with wildlife?