Aggressive Horses

January 15th, 2014

By: Jeff ClarkeField Project Manager

On Monday, I noticed a herd of wild horses on the Sapphire Ranch. They looked like they wanted to visit the MPG Ranch.

I opened the North boundary gate and left.

On Tuesday, I received a call from Debbie Leick that a horse herd was acting territorial toward her and wouldn’t leave her alone.

jeff shooing horses.

We dealt with the situation.

I returned to the gate that I had opened and found 8 sets of horse tracks. I shut the gate.

I returned to the gate that I had opened and found 8 sets of horse tracks. I shut the gate. Visiting hours were over.

Feral horses behave more like wild animals then their domesticated bretheren. This encounter reminded us that any 1100 lb wild animal demands respect and a wide berth.

About the Author

Jeff Clarke

Jeff holds a B.S. in Outdoor Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Drawn to the rugged landscapes of Montana, he moved there in 2007 to pursue a career in outdoor education or ecological restoration. In 2008, he joined the MPG North field crew and quickly found his calling. By 2010, Jeff had risen to the role of Field Crew Manager at the MPG Ranch. Over the years, the ranch has become more than just his workplace—it’s where he got married, started a family, and now shares his love of the outdoors with his children.

Jeff collaborates with staff to ensure their restoration and research goals are achieved. He also leads the ranch’s field crew, managing a diverse range of projects across the property.

In his free time, Jeff likes to spend time with family, hunt, fish, backpack and camp.