Wild About Horses
Couple Adopts Stallions From Desert Herd

By Tiffany Watkins

Robert and Kathleen Hayden with one of their adopted stallions, Anza, from the Coyote Canyon Caballos D' Anza herd.

Robert and Kathleen Hayden of Santa Ysabel are hoping to round up a little financial help in their effort to nurse four wild stallions back to health.

The couple adopted the stallions from a herd known as the Coyote Canyon Caballos D' Anza, who are native to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's Coyote Canyon.

According to the couple, the herd was rounded up in March 2003 and consisted of 19 mares and 11 stallions. The four stallions the Haydens are caring for are named Don, Juan, Bautista and Anza - after explorer Don Juan Bautista D' Anza, who came through Coyote Canyon in 1750.

"We have DNA'd them and filed for a 501(c)3 so we can solicit donations for the care and upkeep," Kathleen Hayden said.

It's a move that was necessary as the Haydens juggle the horses' medical expenses. One example: Juan racked up a $2,000 vet bill after coming down with pneumonia and losing all of his hair.

Another cause for concern is that Anza has a bone fragment in his hock that needs to be surgically removed. The fragment is most likely from an old injury, which doesn't surprise Kathleen, because Anza is always fighting with Bautista, she said.

Wild horses after the roundup in 2003.

Pedro and Nicholas from E.A. Ranch in Santa Ysabel have reached out to the Haydens by training the stallions to be ridden. The trainers use their methods of slow work with the stallions that has even worked on 13-year-old Don.

Also lending a hand have been Bob Woodward and Paul Ransom, who donated pipe to make corals for the stallions. In addition, Ransom Brothers gives the Haydens discounts.

The Haydens' ultimate goal is to release the horses back to the wild, they said.

"The beauty of wild horses is to be able to see them in the wild," Kathleen said.

The couple has created a DVD called "Coyote Canyon Wildhorse Roundup" that can be obtained by contacting them via E-mail. They also have an event called the Wild West Show on Sept. 9 in Chihuahua Valley where you can meet four of the stallions from the herd and enjoy a barbecue, auction, raffle and music by Judy Taylor.

Helicopter rounding up theCoyote Canyon Caballos D' Anza herdin 2003. Photos by Tiffany Watkins and photos courtesy of Robert and Kathleen Hayden.

For more information, or to make a donation, write to: P.O. Box 236 Santa Ysabel, CA 92070 or E-mail the Haydens at CCCDA@znet.com or call

760-782-3340.