NORTH DAKOTA BADLANDS HORSE

REMEMBERING FLAME

FLAME
2000-2025

Having been the first foal of 2000, the little filly out of a light red roan mare was given the number 200001.  I later named her Flame, a fitting name for a fiery little mare who would, for the next 25 years, grace the park with her enduring strength and beautiful, shiny red coat. With her constant companion, stallion Redface, she would produce some of the best-known horses in the park: Flax, Diamond, Pretty Girl, Emmylou, and Brenna. 
My favorite remembrance of her is from 2012, when Blaze tried to take Redface’s band. He had split them up, and, chasing them in circles over the rough terrain, was trying to keep Flame and her young colt, Jud, from going back to Redface. Always loyal to her band stallion, Flame would have none of it! When I showed up to document them, she saw it as her chance to make a break. Seemingly knowing that Blaze would not want to get too close to a human, she headed straight toward me at a full gallop with little Jud’s spindly legs churning right at her heels. She was right! As she ran my way, I stood next to a large cedar tree where I could easily step out of the way, if need be, but I knew what she was doing. Blaze bolted after her, but sure enough, pulled up maybe a hundred yards from me. Flame and Jud ran back to Redface, and Blaze never again attempted to steal her. Her sons and daughters will carry her legacy, but Flame will be greatly missed.