It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of another one of our beloved stallions, Half Moon. Yesterday morning, a fellow horse tracker discovered Half Moon’s band with a different stallion. Half Moon had been with the band the previous day, and everything appeared to be normal. After the band was found with their now stallion, Beau (Duke), and we narrowed down his last location, I set out to search the area and discovered his remains. The exact cause of his death is unknown, as he had no visible signs of injury.
Half Moon was born in 2010, out of mare Lacey by stallion Mystery. In 2014, he gained his first mare, Punkin, after stealing her from a stallion named Shadow. The following year, he added Sumac and her colt, Guardian, to his band by taking them from stallion Granite’s Boy. In the spring of 2016, he continued to grow his band by stealing several mares and their foals from stallion Little Sorrel.
In the summer of 2017, Half Moon suffered an injury above his hoof, which caused him to lose some of his mares to the now young stallion Guardian, whom he had allowed to stay in his band. He took time to heal, and by the spring of 2018, Half Moon had successfully regained his entire band. However, this would start the rivalry between him and Guardian that would last for years.
Throughout his over ten years as a band stallion, Half Moon also sired numerous foals, many of whom still reside in the park, including Patches, Aloe, Beaver, Star, Sienna, Pepper, Brandy, Moon Shadow, and Josie. There is no doubt that his legacy will continue to live on in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Below is a look at Half Moon over the past eleven years, including a few photos with his foals and more details about his story. His passing was a shock that we did not see coming. It feels surreal, and the park is already different without him. We were blessed to have him for 16 years, but we wish we could have had more time. Run wild and free forever, Half Moon, and know that you will be forever loved.
Half Moon was often dealing with Guardian and on this day, he had suddenly appeared in a cove, surprising the horses. Half Moon quickly chased him out of the area and looked amazing running through the snow. (2020)
In 2015, Half Moon and his band could be found around the old east entrance. They used this area and Painted Canyon for a very long time before venturing to other areas of the park. (2015)
This photo of Half Moon and his colt Aloe was taken when a large herd of bison began to appear in the area. Aloe did not seem comfortable, and I believe Half Moon could sense that as he moved closer to Aloe and gently touched his neck. The bison passed through with no issue, but it was a big group, and I can understand little Aloe getting tense. (2019)
Here is a group shot of how big Half Moon’s band was in 2018 when he was healed from his injury and successfully took everyone back. (2018)
The always handsome Half Moon in 2018.
Band Stallion Half Moon near Painted Canyon (2017)
Half Moon (2024)
Half Moon picked up mare Papoose in 2021 and they have given us two foals since then, Pepper and Josie (Lainey). (2022)
This photo of Half Moon rolling in the mud is one of my favorites because of the look Sidekick is giving him. Two great stallions we lost too soon. (2022)
More proof of Half Moon being a great father, here he is saying hello to Josie, his 2024 filly out of Papoose. (2024)
Rest in peace, Half Moon ❤
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