Proud and free, the wild horses of Montana's Arrowhead range lead an exhilarating existence, but many dangers threaten their safety and well-being. From lightening strikes in the high mountain ranges to the brutal Northern Rockies winter, even the environment can be deadly for these creatures. In addition to threats from rivals, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regularly rounds up family bands in an unceasing effort to manage the wild horse population. First introduced in the groundbreaking documentary Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies, Emmy-award winning filmmaker Ginger Kathrens continues the story of Cloud in Cloud's Legacy. Though most stallions are at least six before they even attempt to challenge established band leaders for mares, Cloud became a band stallion at age five when he acquired Sitka, a pregnant blue roan mare, and her yearling daughter. Sitka later gave birth to Cloud's stepson Flint, a light grullo colt. But Cloud also has a full son that is born into another band. When another stallion became injured, Cloud stole one of his mares. Not strong enough to hold the mare, Cloud lost her to another stallion. But Cloud's son, almost a carbon copy of his father, is unmistakable. Originally named Little Cloud, Bolder earned his new name as his independent personality evolved. "Cloud is the most compelling and charismatic wild animal I've had the opportunity to film," says Ms. Kathrens. "But, covering his life on film has been a nerve wracking experience. I'm always relieved to get back up on the mountain and find he has survived another season." Kathrens has spent much of the past seven years observing these extraordinary animals. After witnessing Cloud's birth in 1995, she returned with her cameras to capture his life on film, compiling an unprecedented visual history of the growth and emergence of a natural leader among wild horses.

Article courtesy of Breyer horses