Wild Horse Monument in Central WA

by Toby

After driving past this site several times a year for over 10 years, we finally decided weather conditions and timing were right to stop and hike up to get a closer view. The "ponies" are even more spectacular when you are near them and some even have Indian brands. The sculpture technically is incomplete, as the artist would eventually like to add more ponies and a basket to illustrate the original story:

"Creatures of this planet, behold, a Great Basket! I send this basket, bearing the gift of life, to all corners of the universe. Now take these ponies, I am cutting them loose. They will inspire a Spirit of free will. They will be a companion for work and play on this planet. This is a way for you to see how all life depends on all other life. This basket is my heart. You are at one with me. Eagle of the sky, we look to you for vision. Salmon of the water, we look to you for life-giving sustenance. Deer of the land, you provide a bountiful tranquility for our Mother Earth.

"From the center of my Basket burns the fire of our collective souls. Humans, you are responsible. You have the power of reasoning and the gift of free will. Use them wisely. Always be aware of the limitless nature of this ever expanding universe. Let us live to inspire each other."

Pony in silhouette
One of 14 slightly bigger-than-life sized ponies on a bluff overlooking the...

Rearing Pony and I-90
The tempered steel ponies were put on the bluff in 1989 for Washington...

Lead pony ,Wanapum Lake and I-90
The 1" thick steel sculpture is called "Grandfather Cuts Loose the...

3 ponies above Vantage
This monument can be accessed from the Eastbound lanes of I-90, but seen for...

Two ponies on the bluff
You can walk around all of the horses, and if you want, climb atop one for a...

Wild Horse Monument from parking lot
The monument, done by David Govedare, is not too far from the parking...

"Branded" pony
This photo shows the detail that makes the animals seem so lifelike, even if...

article published 9/29/2001

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Added to Background-ish
Also, the sculpture isn't finished or there would be a basket included. The sculpture is called "Grandfather Cuts Loose The Ponies."
— Brittney, March 11, 2008

Background-ish
I'm writing a paper about these horses. Due to the fact that I go to school in Eastern Washington yet I live in Western Washington. I drive past the horses just about every other weekend. The horses are sculpted from steel plates made by David Govedare. He also sculpted the statues of Bloomsday Run in downtown Spokane. He has many other sculptures around the Northwestern part of the country.
— Brittney, March 11, 2008

We live in a town not far from this monument, we had some relatives over today, and we decided to show them the monument. However, the last time we were there, it hadn't been vandalized and there was information available, now there is nothing but the signatures of a million heartless people. We would like to know who made these sculptures and what they are made of.
— Ryan, September 10, 2007

I have always admired this monument whenever I made a trip to Seattle. Its just so beautiful and the description, if it was on the original display, makes it more special to me. I plan to make it out there in the middle of this month. I just love having that spirit of free will.
— Jesse, June 6, 2007

The name....
The original name given this beautiful work of art is "Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies", in keeping with the Native American storytelling. I lived near the site when the ponies were placed there and remember reading about it in local publications at that time.
— LKC53, April 10, 2007

Schedule
Toby -- the site is closed during the winter months; would be nice to post a schedule when it is accessible. I don't know who's in charge of that -- the Department of Transportation? It would be a disappointment for someone to take the trouble to go there for a visit and then find out that the gate was still locked. Thanks for your attention to this request.

John P. Junke Sr. Walla Walla, WA
— John P Junke Sr, February 16, 2007

fake
all those horses are fake expesioly the last one stop tryin make people look at your site beacause it wont work so just stop
— lauren, February 10, 2007

Visiting from Portland, we went to the site today. It was as intersting and beautiful as described by others in their comments. We were, however, saddened to so no plaques or information. The mental plaques had been removed and grafetti written it. Is this another incident or where the informational plaques never replaced following the vandalism described seveal years ago by other people who wrote comments? It make me very angry. This is the third site I have visited in the past month only to find the plaques removed. Is it the price of scrap metal? Boredom? Anger? Why would someone do this. The day was beautiful. Blue sky and water, the dramatic geology, and not a speck of wind. We have much to appreciate.
— Ginya P, October 7, 2006

I drove by the monument on September 28, 2006 while enroute from Seattle to Spokane. Altough I am not the youngest and most well-conditioned specimen around, I was able to amble to the top of the mesa to get a better view of the Columbia River below. Needless to say, my effots were richly rewarded. When I descended on the other side of the mesa, I was concerned that there might be rattle snakes around. Although I thankfully did not see (or hear) any, when I reached Spokane, I informed the person I was meeting that I had made the climb. She responded that she had gone by the monument many times, but would never climb to the top for fear of rattlers! Are there any in the area?
— Coleman, September 30, 2006

I grew up near Davenport, WA, about an hour west of Spokane. We drove along I-90 countless times to family vacations in the Cascades and the Olympic Penisula. My family moved to CA when I was 11, and last summer was my first time back, along with my wife, Ami.

We stopped at the overlook for pictures of the river on a gorgeous June day. I hadn't seen the ponies yet, and when I turned around, they took my breath away. They looked so I real they almost seemed to be moving! Thanks for the pictures that bring back fond memories of my childhood home.
— Daniel Warner, November 21, 2005

Western MA visitor
I visited the monument several years ago(1999 on the way to the Goo-Goo Dolls/Sugar Ray concert at the Gorge Ampitheatre). Although we didn't have time to do the climb, the Monument looked spectacular from the parking lot. It remains a very pleasant memory and I recommend it to all I know who will be in the area or somewhat close.

Thanks for your effort with this site. The pictures and story of the Monument are fantastic. It's also a great way to see the sculptures up close for all who don't have the ability to do the climb.
— Deb E, April 30, 2005

Wild Horse
I visited the Seattle, WA area in 1995 and stopped at the Wild Horse Monument. Looking up the hill and seeing the outlines of proud spirited mustangs rearing and charging along a hill, just as they would have in times past was very moving to me. I took lots of pictures both at the base and after I climbed up. Watch out for scorpions! It was also my first encounter with tumbleweeds up close. I had always wondered about the story behind the monument. Thank you for such a detailed description and for including the legend.
— Lana, December 29, 2004

What happened to the basket that they originally were running out of?
— Sally, September 15, 2004

Mabton native
For the first time in my life this last month I climbed the hill. Why did it take me 45 years??? The ponies are so great. It does however sadin me that the defaceing of the ponies and plauqes has taken place. Thank you for placing such good pictuers on the web for all to se.
— Cindy, August 3, 2004

Jacob, I tried to give the background of the monument a little bit at a time with each picture. The legend itself is at the top of the page, and continues on if you click on that area. I agree that it is too bad that there isn't more information near the parking lot below the horses, but if some idiots can climb clear up the bluff to deface the monument, you can imagine what they do to markers and plaques that are easily accessible. It is my opinion that people who like to destroy things do so because they aren't intelligent enough to think of constructive things to do. Sorry; I will climb off my soap box now!
— Toby, July 9, 2004

I agree with Jacob Howell
— Derek Wiley, June 8, 2004

I agree with diane, there should be a plaq at the bottom of the hill. come to think of it what is the story if the monumant?
— Jacob Howell (age 12), June 7, 2004

i think that the monument is really cool.
— Jacob Howell, June 7, 2004

For those of you have contacted me lamenting the damage and vandalism to some of the horses, you will be glad to know that as of this summer (2003) repairs have been made and all are upright and running again. I did find this also: "For information on how you can help raise funding for its completion, call the Thundering Hooves Sculpture Committee: 509-459-0388." I have no affiliation with this whatsoever, but several people have expressed an interest, so I did some research. And thanks for your kind comments regarding the pictures.
— Toby, November 28, 2003

We were on vacation 7/31/2003 and happened to see the horse monument as we rounded a curve on I-90 and stopped to see it. We were dissapointed to find that someone had defaced the marker at the bottom of the hill. We assumed that at one time there were bronze plates on the brick base, but they had been removed and graffiti marked where they should be. Thankfully it looked like no damage was done to the sculptures of the horses.
— Curtis Jones (Louisiana), August 3, 2003

I drive three hours to take out of country visitors to this site. In earlier years I donated money to get the basket forged, but I haven't heard anything else about it for years. I have taken people from Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Rumania and Lithuania to see the horses and they all love them. Most of them have said in their countries the horses would have been stolen by now. Anyone know anything about the progress on the basket?
— rea makey, December 23, 2002

It would be wonderful if the story could be placed on a plaque at the foot of the hill. Our curiosity took us to the top, and it was worth the effort, but it's true the descent is a challenge
— diane, October 11, 2002

I've been up the hill to see these horses twice, and will go back soon. They are absolutely magnificent, and, if it's quiet enough, you will sense that they are alive. Make the climb when there is no traffic on the interstate, and you'll see what I mean. The wind will blow through you and take you away to where the spirit of these creatures has run wild for centuries. Be careful on the way down (as is true with all mountaintop experiences) -- the slope is slippery and there is nothing to hold. Perhaps it was meant that way: it is better to stay at the top.
— John P. Junke Sr., February 15, 2002

Thank you...
Although I am in Wisconsin now, I have driven by this site many many times on the way to my sister's house. Thanks for taking me back home!
— Marty Allen, October 1, 2001

Ms.
That was really great, and finely written! Pictures and descriptions were also touching, lol.
— Lauryn, September 30, 2001