"Spirit" of Shackleford

February of 1995, while doing my research and photography on Shackleford Banks to prove that the wild mustangs were not sick or damaging the vegetation on the Island, I came upon this young foal who was an orphan!  My little boy Michael sometimes went with me, and when he saw this foal, he started calling him "Snow White".  Later, another activist for the mustangs took a photo of this little foal to the local elementary schools, and told the children about our fight to save our wild mustangs.  The children were asked to name the foal. They decided to call Snow White, "Spirit". And from that day on, he was called Spirit.  The name fit him perfectly, because he was truly a sweet and kind spirit, and would mysteriously appear and disappear whenever I was photographing the mustangs on the east end of Shackelford!

I remember one day particularly, I was taking photographs of "Majestead", the beautiful sorrel stallion I loved so much.  I hadn't seen "Spirit" all morning, and then suddenly, there he was! Just standing there, on top of a dune, watching me with those big black eyes of his!  I reached down to reload my camera, and when I lifted my head, he was gone!  I climbed to the top of the dune, and looked everywhere.  But, Spirit had left as usual.  Later "Spirit" died as a result of the N.P.S. removing herd mates who were essential to his livelihood!  Now, when you visit Shackelford don't be surprised if the the little white horse's "Spirit" appears to you.

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