Horse Highlight

The Canyon Phantom: By Deb Sutherland 

There is a mysterious black and white stallion who lives high in a Virginia Range canyon all alone. We call him the Canyon Phantom, as he is rarely seen. When he was a yearling (about 1999), he was seen living near Cooney Pond and as he grew up he stayed high in the mountains and never ventured down to the valley floor. In 2013, I found him still living high in the canyon with his big, beautiful family of pintos and roans.

Canyon Phantom was happy with his family and was a wonderful protective stallion. One day, his family was seen alone in the canyon and he was nowhere to be found! Black Hawk had taken over his family. Soon after, the Canyon Phantom vanished. I found him at the springs with a badly injured leg and he was drinking from the pond. We believe he was injured in a fight with another stallion, possibly Black Hawk, and he was no longer able to take care of his family. He tried to make his way back to them but he was limping and barely able to walk. His injuries were that severe.

Still to this day, Canyon Phantom wanders the Virginia Range, standing alone high on canyon ledges, looking down at the valley, as if he is still searching for his family. After all these years, he continues to live alone in the hills.  If you are lucky enough to see him, he always looks as if he’s searching for his family, scanning the landscape. Every once in a while he will venture down to the lower springs and it is a very special treat if you do get to see him! But! He soon vanishes into the wind again not to be seen for a very long time.

Volunteer Highlight

This month’s volunteer spotlight shines on the talented Richie Asencio!

Richie is a dedicated documenter, skilled photographer and creative storyteller. He has been photographing and documenting wild horses for a little over a year for the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) , but has been involved with the Virginia Range wild horses for seven years. 

Richie first became really involved in wild horse protection when one day he came across a mare with a broken leg. He followed all the right steps and called Wild Horse Connection. As he waited for a team to come assess the mare, later identified as Johana, he observed bands of horses coming to touch noses and say their goodbyes. He couldn’t believe it. It just really shows the true, loving bonds wild horses form with each other. 

Unfortunately, it was decided that Johana’s injury was beyond repair and her pain and misery was ended. The horses stayed around after she was put down and said their final goodbyes… then they wandered back into the mystic hills of the Virginia Range. This story stuck with him and renewed his dedication to protecting these amazing animals. 

Richie loves watching these stories unfold. He says they are better than TV! He goes one step further and brings them to life for the kids at Cold Springs Elementary School once a year. He’s been going for four years now and is a true favorite of everyone! 

When he isn’t telling stories and photographing wild horses, Richie is a manager for a plumbing company.

Thank you Richie for your continued dedication and love for the Virginia Range wild horses!

You can follow his stories and see his photographs in his Facebook group, Richie Asencio Wild In Nevada.