Out in the Sand Wash Basin sprawled across Northwest Colorado, a herd of wild horses has gained popularity as they gallop together across the landscape. However, one particular majestic pinto stallion named Picasso has risen above the fame of even his fellow herd members to become one of the most iconic wild horses in America.
Picasso is estimated to be about 30 years old, making him the elder mustang in the herd. His age certainly seems to come with plenty of respect among his fellow equines. According to a basin visitor, named Patti Mosbey, even the other mustangs treat Picasso with a sort of reverence.
“You almost thought they were deferring to him,” she continued, alluding to the special moment. “Nobody wanted to challenge him.”
However, Picasso, who has a dusty white-and-black mane, was the most famous horse in the herd long before he reached his current estimated age, which is believed to be rare for a mustang living in the harsh conditions of the basin, where the summers are fiery and the temperatures in winter go below sub-zero temperatures.
It was over a decade ago when a worker with the Humane Society, who was observing the wild horse herd, spotted his unique coat and pointed out that he looked “like a Picasso.”
In the aftermath, photographer Nancy Roberts caught sight of the now-famous mustang in 2010 and posted the images she captured of him to social media. Not long after, Picasso’s fame immediately began to grow, blooming into the legend that he’s become now.
There are about 700 horses that roam around the 157,000 acres of federal land in the basin; however, Picasso has managed to stand out among them and gained a legendary status.
It is also known that there are many visitors who travel miles to just catch a glimpse of the famous mustang. They are known to write poems, paint portraits of him, and even chart out details of his family tree connecting the various dots.
Among them is Sandy Sharkey, a retired radio broadcaster from Ottawa, Canada, who photographed the wild horses of America in May 2018. Sharkey told Denver7 News, “To see Picasso was going to be akin to seeing Brad Pitt in the desert.”
Picasso is a testament to just how sturdy the horses are out in the wild. Even with a highway running through the basin, harsh weather that offers up lightning storms, and fights with other mustangs in the herd, he’s managed to survive—and his fame has only blossomed the longer he’s roamed the open basin.
She further added: “People go into the basin to find healing when they are at a low point. He is symbolic of the ability to keep moving forward.”
Over the last couple of years, there have been calls that Picasso should be adopted; however, many fans of Picasso strongly believe that he belongs to the wild.
At some point, Picasso will die. At his current age, he’s been spotted less and less.
Sharkey shared with Denver7 News that when Picasso does die, it wouldn’t be the end of the era. “No horse lover worth their salt would call it that,” she said.
However, regardless of how long he lives, his stunning coat and the brilliant photographs of him that have taken over the years will continue to live on.
