![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staging.saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fun-uncle-shadowfax-1.jpg\")
Unfortunately, his kindness towards the youngsters would one day lead to his downfall as a lead stallion. In June of 2020, Shadowfax lost his band\u2014not to just any bachelor, but to his own nephew, a former sparring partner.<\/p>\nWhen you were younger, did you have a \u201cfun\u201d uncle? You know, that uncle who let you do things or maybe taught you stuff that Mom and Dad wouldn\u2019t? At some point in our lives, we’ve all had that person. Well, are you aware that horses also have \u201cfun\u201d uncles?<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the River Flows\u201d on any given day, if you lower your camera and take in the natural surroundings, watching the horses closely, you\u2019ll spot the \u201cfun\u201d uncles. It takes a special lead stallion or even a Lieutenant stallion to truly be considered a \u201cfun\u201d uncle.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re usually secure in the strength of their band, and especially for the lead stallion, in the commitment of his alpha mare. Without a strong alpha mare, a lead stallion wouldn\u2019t feel comfortable leaving for a few minutes to go play.<\/p>\n
One of the greatest \u201cfun\u201d uncles ever among the Salt River wild horses was none other than Shadowfax. While other stallions would chase the bachelors away, Shadowfax seemingly invited them over, played a few card games, and spent some time sparring. Sparring is like watching two boxers work on their jabs, with the occasional body punch thrown in for good measure. None of it is meant to do harm, but to teach. Well, Shadowfax taught, and taught well. He showed many bachelors how to fight. They would arrive either as a band or one by one. They\u2019d seek Shadowfax out, and he always obliged. He would take a whole band of youngsters, one by one, and show them how to become lead stallions. He was the Yoda of the Salt River.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, his kindness towards the youngsters would one day lead to his downfall as a lead stallion. In June of 2020, Shadowfax lost his band\u2014not to just any bachelor, but to his own nephew, a former sparring partner.<\/p>\n
After losing his band, Shadowfax retired. He gradually lost weight and struggled to get to his feet after naps. We continued to monitor him and supplemented his feed in hopes that he would recover.<\/p>\n
By the end of 2021, it was clear that Shadowfax needed help. After consulting with our veterinarians and our partner, the AZDA, the decision was made to rescue our \u201cfun\u201d uncle.<\/p>\n
Since the rescue in 2021 and after a thorough exam, Shadowfax has gained weight and regained strength in his hips and legs.<\/p>\n
He continues to be an uncle to one of our young rescues Ty.. Every once in a while they get to play. He is a favorite to many of our caretakers and Batman’s best friend…<\/p>\n
#astheriverflows<\/p>\n
Photos by SRWHMG volunteers Pam Buschbacher, Destini Rhone, Cris Becker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When you were younger, did you have a \u201cfun\u201d uncle? You know, that uncle who let you do things or maybe taught you stuff that Mom and Dad wouldn\u2019t? At some point in our lives, we’ve all had that person. Well, are you aware that horses also have \u201cfun\u201d uncles?","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":77389,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[74],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updates"],"yoast_head":"\n