Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies, Revised and Updated

by Ginger Kathrens

The beautiful, full-color, official companion to the well-loved PBS Nature series, The Wild Stallion of the Rockies, offers beautiful nature photography and the engaging story of author Ginger Kathrens' intimate relationship with Cloud, one of the magnificent wild horses that roam the Rocky Mountains of the American West. Ginger begins by describing how she witnessed the birth of the helpless, white colt who would soon capture her heart and imagination. She documents Cloud’s interaction with his mare, Raven, his brother, Diamond, and other colts in the wild as well as his adventures encountering dangerous predators, older stallions, and human trappers. The author follows Cloud over the course of five years, taking note of his physical and behavioral development as he begins to take on more of a leadership role in the band of wild bachelors he’s joined. She watches him become a fighter, a survivor, and a father. Ginger’s emotional involvement in Cloud’s story is palpable. She tearfully watches the young stallion as he is captured by trappers. Due to his unusual coloration, he is set free, though the other members of his band and sisters are trapped and sold. Returning to the mountains every season, the author continues to look for Cloud in the vast, wild habitat, always relieved to find him despite dangerous fights, the presence of predators, and the dangers posed by humans. She is later is touched to see Cloud as he grazes with his yearling son, the first of his new family. Ginger’s gripping observations of wild horses, their fights, struggles, and alliances give the reader much insight into the fascinating behavior of amazing and endangered animals.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunningly beautiful book. Even if you do nothing but look at the photos you will have a wonderful experience. But it is so much more. The story of this gorgeous horse is an absolute page turner. Ms. Kathrens has a love for her subject that just pours off the page; in both the story and the photos.

The book is a companion to a PBS documentary by the same name that I have to make time to watch but such is the power of the book – I thought I had watched something rather than read something. The whole book comes together to offer the reader a book that will stay with them for long after they first open the cover.

[Megan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own every book, every DVD, and even Breyer horse collections of Cloud and his legacy. I have read this book time and time again ever since I was a little girl. I was even invited once to tag alongside Ginger Kathrens in hopes of seeing these amazing animals. This compelling story will never get old in my eyes and I hope every little girl grows up knowing Cloud and the wild mustangs through books and video. To go along with the story, the photography is beautiful and adds even more to the value of these wonderful books!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the documentary of this wild stallion on PBS and was thrilled to find the book. I devoured it in one night! This is a daring and dramatic story as well as containing some beautiful photographs. If you love wild horses or horses in general, it's a must read.

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly liked this book, although it wasn't too well-written. It is not a kids book, like to claims to be, as it is too dark for a kids book. (Not that I'm surprised. I remember my sister and I being horrified by the PBS documentary when we we're children.)