A request came in to blog about Diamond Rio. He is one of the first horses I “met” when I started going to the range and learning about these horses. He is one of my all time favorites!
Diamond Rio was born in 1993 to the Craig Mare and Buckskin Joe. He was born in the North Soda area. Both of the parents were introduced to this range rather than born here. That worked as an advantage to Diamond Rio when there were lots of bachelors off the range in 1997, which he was one of! When it was decided to do a gather of these off the range bachelors, Diamond Rio got to stay because of his “transplant” blood. His genetics were needed for the good of the horses on the range. So, he got to stay but it was decided that he be moved to Main Canyon. He stayed there for many years, but about five years ago he decided to head to the upper ranges again. He hasn’t made it over to North Soda again, but he does travel to the Indian Park area in the summer. He does come back down to Main and Coal Canyons in the winter though. He is one of the few that we get to observe through all seasons.
He has been a successful harem stallion for many years. Even though he lost all his mares at different gathers throughout the years, he has always managed to regain more. He did spend one winter as a bachelor, but has had mares since.
Currently, his band consists of Beauty and her three-year old colt, Choca. That boy should be leaving the band soon!! Diamond Rio’s daughter, Bonita, just recently left the band and is now with her own stallion.
Diamond Rio in Main Canyon
His band before Bonita left
So calm, yet wary
Running Magnum off
Sleek and healthy
Such a handsome face
Surveying his world
Very nice pictures, thank you
Love this horse!…thanks so much….talk to you soon.
He’s beautiful. It amazes me how gorgeous these horses are in the wild. I’m going to a wild horse and burro adoption event near me (FL) tomorrow. It’s the first for me. I have a feeling it will be very heartbreaking to see once wild and healthy horses and burros now in captivity.