Ya Reckon?
 | Author:
Denise Thompson, MT43 News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson |
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
We bought this horse back in 2020, and he quickly became Vince’s prized mount out on the range. This horse stood well over 17 hands tall and had a “motor” that wouldn’t quit. Powerful. Even though he was a handful to ride, he was a sweet, sweet boy.
In the spring of 2023, Vince and I took a job in Columbus, on a ranch. In June of that same year, a massive flash flood hit and destroyed everything in its path. We were hauling bulls on I-90 to spring pasture when the storm hit, causing us to pull off the interstate and wait out the storm in the safety of an underpass. We honestly had no idea what was awaiting us on our return to the ranch.
Even though the creek that flowed through a large part of the ranch was vital to the operation, it was rather insignificant in size until that day! Our eyes were in disbelief as we crossed the cattleguard; Hensley Creek looked more like the Yellowstone River! While we meandered slowly down the long driveway, the shock and awe continued to escalate. The raging stream was now at the doorstep of our “shanty” nestled amidst the rimrocks. The hefty, planked boards and pipe corrals in the path of this “monster” were wiped away!
THE HORSES! Where were the horses?!? Our main concern was for the two we had placed in the corrals. Even though much of the corrals were now destroyed, there was ample area for the horses to find safety in other areas, unless they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The “pits” in our stomachs were excruciatingly obvious! There was no way to cross the raging water to look for our animals. We spotted two of our other horses, high on a ridge, who were safe….but there was a third. “Blu” made it! Somehow, he survived the flood and dismantling of the corrals and joined the others. Halleluiah! But there was still no sign of the “big boy.” We got on our 4-wheelers and frantically searched until nightfall.
The next day, the pilot who was covering the flood for the local news station offered to fly the area again, looking specifically for our horse. Another man offered to fly his drone over the ‘war zone.’ We spent hours and hours searching for a wounded, scared, or deceased animal. NOTHING! Days went by….still, nothing! The pilot was confident the flash flood either washed our horse away and he was somewhere in the Yellowstone River, or he was in a pile of debris! We never found any sign of him. It was heartbreaking, to say the least.
This horse’s name was “Thunder!” It was rather ironic that, when we first bought him, he was scared of water. He hated to cross streams and ditches, so we spent extra time with him and successfully got him over his fear. Strangely and sadly, a 500-year flood event took his life!
Losing this big, beautiful horse has truly been one of the most difficult losses we’ve experienced these past few years. Our resilience has been tested, but we are so grateful for the time we had with him.
Perhaps, if we are all being honest, we can reflect back on experiences that have tested our resilience, ya reckon!?!
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman,
Denise Thompson
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PhotoCredit: Denise Thompson Photo
Image 1 Caption: A horse is a vital component to the rancher's team! This horse could cover the miles! Fall gather in Hay Creek Country, Big Belt Mountain Range
Denise Thompson Photo
