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We visited Palomino Valley BLM Wild Horse & Burro Corrals on January 30, 2001. I wanted a mustang of my own, and since I had very little prior horse experience, I decided to get a young one. 
Sparky was cute, tiny, and spirited. An orphan colt, he had been gathered in late December, and seemed to be thriving in spite of having no mother at an early age. He was listed as a September colt, although he was smaller than the October foals. He was the smallest one in the pen. I watched all the little horses running, imagining what it would be like to sit on top of them when they grew up. The little pinto colt looked like he'd be a smooth ride. (Besides, even though I know that "a good horse is never a bad color" - in my heart of hearts I wanted a pinto!)
Unfortunately, about that time a truckload of horses with Strangles (streptococcus equis) arrived. This disease is common among horses kept in stressful conditions like feedlots, and wild horses who have lived in isolated areas lack immunity to domestic horse diseases, so as soon as they come into contact with domestics, they often get sick. Sparky, along with nearly 2000 other wild horses, was placed in quarantine. Whether or not he himself had the disease we don't know for sure, but it seems he probably did. Most of the young horses did get it, and Sparky had all the signs (swelling in the throat, bronchitis as a secondary infection) by the time I got him home finally. He could not come home until all the horses in his group tested negative for active infection - a process which took over 3 1/2 months.
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When I went back to visit on March 28, he looked much the worse for wear. No more spirited cantering about. Just a head down, slow amble. He was thin and his feet seemed tender. He seemed depressed and very slowed-down, although I also was pleased to note what an amiable social guy he was. He made the rounds of all the other horses in his pen, engaging each one in mutual grooming. I liked that. I also noted that he was the smallest and least dominant horse in the pen, which is probably why he had become so thin - he got to eat last, after everyone else had picked over the hay. He had some fungus patches, and was really kind of a mess.
Still...
...Ya gotta love that face!
April 18 - SPARKY COMES HOME!!!
Sparky in the loading chute at Palomino Valley, and then in the trailer
The quarantine was lifted in mid-April, and on April 18, we met Lesley Neuman and her trailer at Palomino Valley, to bring Sparky home at last. I was really pleased to see that Sparky looked a bit better then he had in March. He needs a good grooming, and worming as soon as he is tame enough. He's on the thin side, but perkier than in March. And he's growing for sure!
Thanks to Lesley Neuman for bringing Sparky home for us!
HOME AT LAST!
NEXT: NOW WHAT?!?!
Sparky in his new home.
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