Before we moved to Northern Nevada, my husband's co-workers casually mentioned that we ought to get used to seeing wild horses taking strolls through our neighborhood. We thought they were goofing around. Yet their claims were completely legit. No amount of watching re-runs of "Bonanza" prepared us for what we were about to witness.
Not long after we arrived, we started seeing small groups of horses, maybe four or five at a time, hanging out in open fields across Veterans Parkway in South Reno. That was weird, but nowhere near as weird as later seeing bands of a dozen or more brazenly strolling into residential areas — right past the "NO HORSES" signs. "Can't they read? The sign says NO HORSES," we joked.
This summer (and now into early autumn), a large band of horses has made itself quite at home near Damonte Ranch, Double Diamond Ranch, Curti Ranch and Virginia Highlands. They are not afraid of people or cars, although they don't like loud noises from motorcycles or lawnmowers. In fact, they're sort of like nature's lawnmowers as they chow down on grass. "Save a horse ... skip a lawnmower!"
Most neighbors are respectful of these beautiful animals. Others don't seem too thrilled by their presence. The horses leave a lot of gifts in the form of free fertilizer. That's a boon or a nuisance, depending on whether you're a gardener or trying to sell your house.
Meanwhile, friends and relatives in other states had a hard time believing our tales about the local wild horses, until we supplied them with photo after photo. Even at that, they're incredulous: "How can these horses just be wandering around?" Followed by, "I'd freak out if I saw a wild horse!" Well, if I hadn't been forewarned, my first encounter with a wild horse would have freaked me out, too. Now it's become so common that I don't bat an eye. I guess it's a sign that I'm getting used to this mysterious Area 89521.
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