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Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions
The Cloud Blog: Introduction

Welcome to the Cloud Blog! Filmmaker Ginger Kathrens is currently filming the third program in her Cloud series for NATURE. The newest Cloud program, Cloud: Challenge of the Stallions, will premiere Sunday, October 25, 2009.

Until then, check back here for the latest updates from behind the scenes, as Kathrens reports from the mountains of Montana about her ongoing experiences with Cloud and his band.

The Cloud Blog has been featured on the PBS Engage Blog. The Engage Blog explores new connections between people, culture, and technology.

Ginger Kathrens

Filmmaker Ginger Kathrens

About Ginger Kathrens
Producer/Director/Writer/Editor/Cinematographer

Ginger is an Emmy award-winning producer, cinematographer, writer, and editor. Her documentary filmmaking trips have taken her to locations around the world and all over the U.S. Since his birth in 1995, Ginger has filmed and documented a pale wild stallion in Montana, who she named Cloud. Currently airing on Thirteen/WNET New York’s NATURE series are her two documentaries: Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies and Cloud’s Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns. She has written two award-winning books about Cloud. Ginger’s revealing journey with wild horses has been compared to Jane Goodall’s experiences with chimpanzees. Her documentation of Cloud represents the only continuing chronicle of a wild animal from birth in our hemisphere.

Ginger is the founder and Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to the preservation of wild horses on our public lands with special attention on isolated, historically significant and genetically unique herds like Cloud’s. She is an informed, impassioned, and entertaining speaker on behalf of wild horses.

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58 comments

#1

I have followed all of the Cloud series and often wonder if he is still okay. Please advise of his status and that of his family.

What are the actually chances of seeing him and his herd if you visit Montana?
Thanks, Judy C.

#2

I have been thinking about White Cloud and his family all winter. I live in north Idaho and we had 190″ of snow and sure that they had the same in MT. Had to have been a hard winter for them.

#3

Grew up in Big Sandy, Montana. Have seen a herd of wild mustangs while in my high school years. Fifty years later, I still see the herd, the dust, the awesome beauty of nature………..I watch Cloud with tears in my eyes. Such beauty……..God even has them in Heaven.

#4

i have been following Cloud from the start as well. I recently graduated from Post University in Waterbury, Ct. were the Equine Department has been collecting money through thier Equine Club and Equine Newsletter to help sponser wild mustangs that have been sent into rescue farms. I would like to know what else is out there that i can do to help Cloud and others like him.

#5

I enjoyed your program so very much, I grew up on a farm in Ark,we had horses , I did not know horses could fight each other like that.I have a son Mike that does some photography , he is 51 yrs old and single , I would love to have a daughter-in-law lioke you. Are you single ?I live in Dallas, Tx.

#6

I just wanted to show my appreciation by letting you know how much I enjoyed today’s program. I live in Calgary, where surrounding country has very similar vistas and nature to Montana. I have no intimate knowledge of horses and I was touched by the insight you afforded me. Watching something that goes on out there, that is so personal to you is an honour. Programming on TV, it’s mindless with ‘reality’ and Cloud’s story and the images of his life, is genuine reality just over the literal south horizon. Best hour I’ve spent all year.

#7

Yes indeed … takes me back to when we always had horses on our farm in Ohio. Their beauty and freedom captivated me in this past hour. Long live the wild animals of the world … despite these mediocre creatures called humans.

#8

I have recently become involved in taking care of horses that have mustang in them. We have mustang herds here in Lincoln County Nevada and when we turned the tv on tonight and saw the program we couldn’t turn it off. Me and my daughter will be looking for more programs and information on Cloud and the other horses. We could see some of our horse’s personalities in these horses, and can now understand why they do what they do. Thank You for inspiring us all over again.

#9

As a equine enthusiast all my life, I find Karen’s documentary on wild mustangs informative and entertaining. She has captured not only the beauty of Montana, but also the way of life these truly rugged, and survival oriented horses, live. If I had my life to do over, I would do exactly what she is doing. What a wonderful contribution to our world which is so caught up in such superficial propaganda. I look forward to the release of her next sequence on Cloud, the “little stallion that could” Thank you for bringing sunshine into a somewhat shadowed world.

#10

I grew up riding almost every weekend with a little Mexican friend of mine. She had 11 horses, 2 of which were Ky. Derby Placers 4th and 7th and 2 ponies. They were from Texas originally and I think one of her Dad’s horses had some Mustang in him.

I didn’t have a clue the program was going to be on Sunday 7/6 but happened to catch the bulk of it and was enthralled by it. Knew about the horses but Miss Kathrens did a supurb job of bringing their plight to light. Absolutely surreal photography and I loved the respect she gave them while filming! I was so afraid Cloud was going to be sold at the BLM roundup and was so relieved when he was singled out to go back and propagate his line. Was also very glad he finally settled with a beauty as well. Looking forward to seeing more from her. Wish I had her for a sister so I could visit and hang out with her and ride with her! Would love to be a part of all that. She really brought to light their real existence and how they have to really fight to survive. Parts are hard to watch but if anyone wants to appreciate what these beauties go through, they have to watch it and learn it in order to help them move forward. Ginger - WELL DONE!

P.S. Very nice sweet job you did with Trace! Loving horse! And he still wants to play in the mud! Excellent. He loves you for not breaking his spirit. You are a horse whisperer!

#11

Last night I watched Cloud:Wild Stallion of the Rockies. I loved it. The only part I didn’t like was when Lookingglass attacked the lame foal. I do think though that Lookingglass did the foal a favor, but it was horrifying to watch. Cloud is an amazing horse. He will forever run free, even when his time comes to either be captured or go into heaven. God Bless Him.
Ginger Kathrens has done an amazing job tameing ( not breaking ) Trace. It was a little funny when he tried to roll in the mud though! Ginger is a true horse whisperer, God Bless her:)

#12

I am 8 years old and want to now if Cloud is still alive. I was really sad when the baby horse died.

#13

Hi, I am eleven years old and I am I huge fan of the Cloud series. I watched the program last night and was thrilled by it. And I do want to say thank you to Ms. Kathrens for making this series and I can’t wait to watch her latest! God bless her! ;-)
P.S. My Mom and I were laughing when Trace was trying to roll in the mud! Quite funny!:)

#14

Beautiful program! I only caught the last half and wanted to watch the beginning online but the PBS link isn’t working - shucks. Seeing the wild horses in their natural habitat really resonates with me, even though horses have not been a part of my life. It’s very exhilarating to watch them run free! I look forward to the new one coming in Spring 09.

#15

What an inspiration! It gave me a better understanding of horses. The whole Cloud story was breathtaking!

#16

Cloud and the entire Pryor Mountain Range Wild Horses are endangered again, and action is imminent. BLM, the federal Bureau of Land Management, plans to cull most of these horses. Please check out The Cloud Foundation ORG site and phone the Montana senators TODAY to protect these beautiful horses. The deadline to phone the senators is July 11

#17

I LOVED the CLoud Stallion of the Rockies documentory and I too would like to know if he is still alive.

I just got through reading a young readers series THE PHANTOM STALLION and wonder if Terri Farley, the Author took Part of Cloud and made it into the Phantom.

#18

Touching, inspiring, bittersweet…I felt so many emotions watching this most excellent program. I applaud the series for bringing attention to their plight. I pray that our Patron Saint of Animals (St. Francis) continues to watch over them. Great job and special kudos not only to Ms. Katherns but to her Team that helped to film her as well. Montana is absolutely beautiful. I have very fond memories of vacationing in Kalispell and swimming in Flathead Lake.

#19

Wow, watching the Cloud documentary made me want to adopt a mustang. I might be able to adopt one in a few years. Out of every 20,000 captured only about 5,000 are adopted. You’d think that it would cost the BLM less money to keep these horses living wild where they wouldn’t need food bought for them or gass or diesel to transport them to adoption facilities. It’s also very expensive to send the helicopters up for the captures. I don’t understand why the BLM just keeps rounding up these fabulous quadrupeds!

#20

How sad that the possible destruction of such beautiful creatures comes down to money. The Cloud series touches my heart in so many ways. Where are the celebrities and the billionaires with their checkbooks?!? These animals and the territory they live in represent a part of America; its past, present and future.

#21

Hi my names Debbie and I’m from Indiana. I read the story about Cloud and his herd. I want to try and help these horses if possible. I know that the Indiana Horse Rescue would take these horses in. Last year they took in some wild mustangs from out west. You can contact IHR @ 812-729-7697 please ask for Tony,Cathy,Kelsey or Philip. These are wonderful people trying their hardest to rescue and find homes for unwanted,abused horses. They’ve never said no and I don’t think they would now. This of course is a last resort. Cloud & his herd should be able to remain where they are but I’d rather see them go to a rescue & be adopted out to loving homes then killed. You can reach me by email or at 765-482-6574. Thank you.

#22

Sunday I saw the Cloud episode where some of the herd was rounded up by BLM. What a wonderful idea to follow one special wild animal throughout its life. And horses are of course so close to many people’s heart!!

When the BLM had round up some of the horses, you n bought one of the heard’s members for yourself and said to you took him to your ranch in the Colorado Mtns, if I remember right. You mentioned that you would like to bring him back some day and have him meet his former herd members again. I would love to hear more about that. Have you done so already? I am just burning to learn how your horse reacted!!

Much looking forward to hear from you!

#23

I saw the first episode of Cloud a few years ago and then couldn’t remember WHERE I had seen it. I looked for it on DVD, etc. I was so excited to see it again on PBS Sunday night. Today I watched the second series on PBS.org.

I am now living in western Wyoming temporarily and have a new sense of awareness of the wild horses. I can hardly wait for the third series to be completed. I sent the site to my son so that his children will see it as well.

#24

If you care about america’s mustangs, realize that they are being removed from the land because of our eating habits. Ranchers want/need land for their cattle to graze, so if there is less demand for meat, less animals will be raised…www.veganoutreach.org http://www.animalsvoice.com http://www.farmsanctuary.org

#25

Does anyone have word as to the outcome of the planned culling of Cloud’s herd? I know the deadline was today to contact the Montana senators to try and halt BLM’s plans of removing a large percentage of the wild horses in this area. I pray they are left in peace.

#26

Cloud and all the pryor Mustangs are in severe danger! The BLM is intending to kill all over about 5 years old. You need to write to The BLM and senators Jon Tester and Senator Baucus. If you go to http://www.thecloudfoundation.org and look for Ginger’s letter, she will tell you what to say and tell you all about it!

PLEASE do this and SAVE CLOUD!

#27

dear ginger,
you are my idol!!! i love your work and cannot wait until your next piece on “cloud”. i have had up to 40 or so horses (a lot of them are born on my place); 3 beautiful foals this season, 08′. i have noticed all the things in my horses (which i love to study), as you have with your wild bands on the mountain! i live near galena il., which is very mountainess, and love to watch the interactions with my herd. i loved your documentary and wish i could go along with you to meet cloud! i love him.
i was suprised to see how lightening struck so many, it baffles me.
keep up your wonderful way of informing people. so many of our population have no idea how these beautiful animals live and survive. we certainly do not need these animals becoming extinct, any bloodlines of them.
thank you ginger,
lynnie tamburrino

#28

wow, what can i say….
ginger you are incredibly talented. hope you truly realize that. your videography is incomparable. i am just now learning all the ins and outs of it and i was just in awe when i saw your work. it seemed the horses where performing just for you. incredible. they way you speak of them was so heartfelt. i could feel your emotion for them through the screen. that’s what every videographer strives for. i just had to say all that. hope i didn’t give you too many compliments…..
i wish we all didn’t have to wait so long for the next episode. i don’t think my dvr can go that far into the future.
i wanted to ask a question about looking glass, was it because he could possibly smell the colt’s sickness or something. at least that’s what i figured. still wondering about that.
anyway bravo to you mam and all who is working beside you. you guys have created something very special for all of us. what’s some of your other work ginger?
i’ll also pray for your safety hope others do the same. thanks again

#29

Is there a way to determine if the letter to the BLM from Representatives Rahall and Grijalva has had or is having any impact?

#30

Last fall we were in the Pryor Mts. and watched Cloud and his family come to drink in the big water hole near Penns Cabin. I felt like I was watching a movie star. Awsome.

#31

The BLM sucks, they are SUPPOSED to manage the wild horse herds, and instead they destroy them. Go to: http://www.thecloudfoundation.org

#32

I stumbled upon this series today this morning and fell in love. It was really touching to see Cloud and his family.
The BLM seems to be really bad, I cried a little when they roundedup Cloud and all the other magnificent horses like that.

Cant wait to know how they are now. Lots of love from Sandra in sweden <3

#33

Dear Ginger,As i stated in the other blogs, i have 1400 acres of Land in Lodgepole,montana-Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, so if i could help adopt any or all of the horses , i will,Just let me know… Mickey Bailey

#34

Ginger,
Which of Cloud’s sons were killed, How was he killed.

#35

WOW! the Cloud series are awsome i just found and watched the two series online today and i cant belive that the BLM could be so ignorent cruel and heartless to simply kill these horses naure has its own way of taking care of things which means there is no reason for thick headed humans to step in the
BLM needs to learn when enough is enough!
im from new Zealand and we have wild kaimanawa horses last i heard they were controlling their numbers but not killing them ! i have an appaloosa mare that dates back to the wild mustangs of america and she is one great horse very intellegent and is a top placing barrel horse too! mustangs should not have to face th brink of extinction just because some cow cockie wants more grazing for his beef! or the BLM cant be bothered with the mustangs.

#36

Hello Miss Katherns, I`ve watched all your films about Cloud and I cant get enough of them. They touch me in ways I did`nt ever think they could. What happened to diamond, red raven, electra,stormy, boulder? Does raven still have the same mares after all this time? How is trace and will you ever (can you) let him run free again? I`ve learned so much from your wonderful films and I`ll love to see the next ones to come. Thank you so much for bringing Cloud and all the wild horses into my life. I hope that you can continue your magnificent work. Be safe and dont let the lions get you and look above your head every now and then(smile).

#37

As an animal and horse advocate I follow news reports daily on mustangs, thoroughbreds, and animal issues in general. This morning The Blood-horse Magazine reports that Madeleine Paulson Pickens (owner of the famous Cigar racehorse) is purchasing a million acres of land to become a home for ALL the wild horses now in holding by the BLM! She is creating a foundation to insure that no horse will ever be turned away. It is news that is just overwhelming. For those of us who have written letters ad infinitum on behalf of the mustangs, it feels as though the sea just parted. Thank you forever to Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens!

#38

Ginger, You are amazing!!! I want to be just like you when I grow up. You’re my role model!!!! Thank you for showing us these beautiful wild horses that I’m sure many people love to watch. I’m sure that you’ve put a smile on many faces. You are amazing. I thank God for you. I hope BLM decides to leave the wild horses alone!!!!! Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I’m inspired by you. Thank you!!!! :-)

#39

Dear Ginger Katherns
My two daughters Jalene and Janele have been watching Cloud and his family for the last two and a half years. They are very excited about the next episode coming in May. My oldest daughter is 9 years old and the youngest is 7 years old. They hope to someday make a trip out to see Cloud and the rest of the horses. We try to keep up on the news and to email and do the things that will help the horses to remain free. Thank you for all that you do.
The Hensley Family

#40

Keep up the good work Ms. Katherns. I’d love to meet you, Cloud, his family, and his heard someday. Have a good weekend. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

#41

the cloud work you have done has meant so much to me
I was wondering if you will be doing any updates in the near future on these mustangs. they were made for man. programmed extraordinary creatures, beautiful.

#42

[...] Nature.com The Cloud Blog featuring updates from Ginger in the field. Please visit The Cloud [...]

#43

I have been watching the Cloud series for quite a long time, and I have always wanted to see Cloud. Is there a possible chance of taking a glimpse of this beautiful horse? I would Love to meet them, or just possibly seeing the beautiful habitat they live in! I love Cloud, Flint, Boulder, and all of Clouds current mares! They are very special to my heart, even though I have never met cloud, nor seen his family up close and personal, he seems to have a place in my heart forever. This was a GREAT piece of video! I love it! Thank you SO much for providing this wonderful footage of the forever free mustangs!

#44

I was again honored & humbled when visiting Cloud this last Summer on Pryor Mountain. We now have many of his photos online at http://www.kathyweigand.com

It is a magical place! I’ve been watching his family as well as McCullough Peaks since 2004, and cannot wait to go back! I only hope that they are as healthy as possible during the winter months.

I was so saddened to learn that Raven, Cloud’s father had passed away last winter. He was my favorite, an absolute stunning black stallion. At leasy he lived a full life FREE on the mountain.

I encourage all to speak up and voice your concerns & help keep safe numbers in the wild!

#45

Kathy Weigand, your picuters are amazing! Thanks for sharing them online.
I hope that I have a chance to go and see the wild horses in the prior mountains before it is too late and some money oriented people kill all of them…. !

#46

That was the most beautiful and sadest movie of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!!

#47

[...] Nature.com The Cloud Blog featuring updates from Ginger in the field. Please visit The Cloud [...]

#48

Thank you Ms. Kathrens for having done such an awesome job of bringing such an intriging story to the screen. I have both DVD’s and their companion books which I have watched and read over and over. I am highly anticipating the release of the 3rd movie and I am hoping there will be a companion book to accompany it as well. Will there be ??? I do know that literally hundreds of hours of film are taken in order to get the scenes that are then edited for the movie. I’d give my eye teeth to watch every bit of footage taken. I’m enthralled by the interaction of these amazing and beautiful creatures regardless of how small. But then, I’m biased by anything relating to horses. You are living what I have only dreamt of doing and that is following and detailing the daily activities and interactions; the very essence of these individuals lives and made them very personal to all of us. Thank you again for all that you have done to bring their story and plight to the forefront of a very political and controversial stage.

#49

Can you please check up on Cloud and his family again? I would like to see if they are ok. How is they new foal, are there any new foals, or mares? Are Boulder and Flint still living free, or do they have families of their own that they need to care for?

#50

Cloud ROCKS!

#51

I used to have the book. I love seeing things about wild mustangs. I especially would love to hear more about Cloud and his family.

#52

I Love Cloud I want to know if there will be another book because I have the DVD and both books. I aslo was wundering about Dimond, Red Raven, Raven and Elecktra. Also if i ever go to the Rockied if it’s aloud to go where you go to see the horses

#53

I was wondering if we could keep watching Clouds life and if anyone can do what Ginger Katherns did and does.

#54

I love Cloud. I cant wait to see im in the next show. I was wondering are his colts ok. Please gice me the update.

#55

This was such an inspiration watching you do all this work, for this amazing stallion. If he is still alive will you do another video of him, or have you left your series as is.
I loved watching all the foals running wild bucking kicking jumping, they are so precious. My mom and I used to have a ranch , we had 14 mares and one stallion that lived together on 40 acres to themselves, I used to go out and sit with them, just absorb they language, watch how they were to each other and they were always surprising, this movie put me back in those does.
Thank you so much for this it was such a pleasure.
oxox
Santana P

#56

the BLM people are just itots! they think no horses should be wild!!!!! they are so ignorant

#57

Is it so far fetched to understand that what needs to be managed is the growth of the human population not that of the wild mustang?

#58

Ginger, I love the show, I love the mustangs, I love you, applaud you and I appreciate you more than you will ever know. Am waiting on pins and needles for the 3rd show! I hope your next show and your Foundation web page can also stress some of what Marty Stouffer’s shows and other Nature productions show, that living in the wild is deadly (just living is deadly!). I’ve been reading the blogs on the other Cloud connections and the ones here. There is a lot of nasty name calling - and ugly positions - remember folks - most people are just doing their jobs, and mostly for, in their hearts, the good and right reasons (and read some self help books on “How to Win Friends and Influence People” please!). Having said that, my opinion is that everyone is right in some way (more details in another blog another day). Is not man killing horses to balance nature, to save the horses from starving or to save other wildlife, part of nature? Are we humans not part of nautre? I know it does not look like it the way some/many of us have treated earth and outselves for greed and profits. But, focusing on the mustangs, what are the solutions? We could all become vegans and the cattle ranchers could all become farmers instead? Probably not. Everyone could adopt a mustang? Probably not. Does everyone buy pet food for your critters that is meat free? Would that even be good for your critters? Probably not. My heart wants to agree to let every single mustang be free and nature will starve out or freeze out the overpopulation or other animals will naturally kill and eat the mustangs so that they can live, and vegitation will not become extint, and the landscape will not errode - but we have seen that does not always work. My hope would be that everyone would try to uncover postiive solutions, keeping everyones interests, and every living “thing’s” needs in balance - as naturally and humanly as possible.

I think that some cameras should be permanently posted in the wild so people could watch nature all the time - like the NASA station. Everyone - every chance you get - go out into nature once in a while - it is awesome! Seeing what “human nature” is doing to much of it is very sad - everyong needs to “see” that too, in person - pictures are never as impactful as the real thing.

Adopt! - a mustang, a dog, a cat, a bird, or support a rescue group. Spay and neuter your animals. Don’t breed animals irresponsibly for profits. Don’t buy from irresponsible breeders! Research what this means. Tune in to “Best Friends” santuary and what they are about. Join Cloud’s Foundation. (are these solicitations?)

Everyone should also watch “Never Cry Wolf”. Funny and enlightening!

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