top of page
NEV03204.jpg

Virginia Range Herd

The "Feral Horses of the Virginia Range" project was started in 2024, when I had the opportunity to visit the Reno, Nevada, United States region. I was introduced to the Virginia Range, an area in Storey County that historically was the home of feral, estray, wild horses and burros. The region is the eastern foothills of the Sierra mountains and geographically very different from what I was used to. The temperatures in July were 40c - a dry heat that made you feel you were shriveling into an apple head doll. Sage scrub brush turned into tumbleweeds. We looked forward to and enjoyed the coolness of the mountain evenings. As a life long equestrian, I was drawn to the horses wandering this region unfettered by fences or political boundaries. How they survived without human intervention was mind boggling to someone who was used to diligently taking care of domesticated stock. So began my desire to learn more about, understand, document and share with the world these amazingly resilient, beautiful animals living as nature intended.

cj 2 Virginia Range TP fv.jpg

Although most of the herd is wild as they were not born in captivity, the entirety of the herd is considered feral or estray meaning formerly domesticated and returned to the wild.

There are two fundamental herds - family or bachelor. 

The family herd is sometimes called a "harem" being composed of one stallion, mares, and youngsters up to 2- 3 years old. The Washoe herd had more than one stallion and would have established a hierarchy between them.

Bachelor herds are comprised of young males that have been ejected from the familiar herd due to age and concern over challenging the stallion. 
Several of the bachelor herds we saw followed the familiar herd. The stallion often approached the bachelors and kept them at a distance.

Each wear scars and open wounds from determining their place within the herd.



 

"It felt surreal - how could we possibly be walking amongst these amazing animals. What a privilege to be here in this moment."

cj 1 Washoe TP FP fv.jpg
NEV01346 tp fv.jpg
virginia range herd cj.jpg

Founded in 1979, the Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association is a volunteer non-profit corporation acting as custodians of the free-roaming horses and wildlife in the Virginia Range area. Working closely with the Bureau of Land Management, the VRWP engages in educational and range-management activities including winter feeding programs and rescues

You can easily purchase any of these images in the size and material of your choice. Contact for further information. 

All Images © Copyright PACT Inc Photography
bottom of page