Paying Respects to Colorado’s Famous + Beloved Wild Horse ‘Sweetheart’

After a long, and hopefully very happy life of 30 years, Western Colorado's famous, and much-loved "Sweetheart" has passed away. You'll find this tribute at the trailhead of Palisade's Mt. Garfield.

If you've ever hiked the Bookcliffs, or even driven I-70 through Palisade, you know who Sweetheart is. You probably saw her dozens of times. She may be gone, but many reminders can be found.

Get our free mobile app

Sweetheart Passed Away In June

On June 15, 2023, Friends of the Mustangs posted on Facebook, "A goodbye to our dear mare Sweetheart. Sweetheart went to Mustang heaven this week, she was 30 years old this year, one of only three Mustangs that we know of who lived to 30 years old. She was a beautiful black mare with a heart-shaped star which is where she got her name."

Where Had You Seen Sweetheart

On some occasions, you'd see Sweetheart, typically in the company of her friend Boone, walking along the lower part of the Bookcliffs near the Mt. Garfield trailhead.

For those who hiked Mt. Garfield and the nearby trails, you'd frequently cross paths with Sweetheart and Boone at the first plateau, roughly 1/3 of the way up the east Mt. Garfield trail. Over the years, this was the site where I typically expected to cross paths with them.

From time to time, you could find them the next level up the Mt. Garfield trail, roughly 2/3rds of the way up. In my experience, they rarely gave any notice to passing hikers.

A Memorial To Sweetheart

On July 4, 2023, this tribute was posted at the entrance to the Mt. Garfield trailhead.

Given the recent 100-degree temperatures, the trail up Mt. Garfield isn't seeing a tremendous amount of use. As a matter of fact, it looks as though I was the only one dumb enough to make the hike on the 4th of July.

Is 30 Years a Long Lifespan For a Wild Horse?

It appears so. According to Horse Breed Pictures, The lifespan of a horse depends on its environment. The site states, "Wild horses live for about 15-16 years, which is considerably less than the average lifespan of domestic horses."

Events From the Year Sweetheart Was Born

According to Friends of the Mustangs, Sweetheart was born in 1993. Can you recall some of the major events of that year? Take a look back, and you'll find Sweetheart had an excellent run.

Major Events of 1993:

• The Waco siege on the compound belonging to the Branch Davidians
• NASA loses contact with the Mars Observer
• STS-55 Space Shuttle Columbia carries the German Spacelab module into space
• Kim Campbell becomes the first female Prime Minister of Canada
• The Brady Bill is signed into law
• NAFT, the North American Free Trade Agreement is signed into law by President Bill Clinton
• Two former police officers are convicted of violating the civil rights of Rodney King

When looked at from this perspective, 30 years was a long time ago.

The next time you drive I-70 through Palisade, Colorado, give a wave to Sweetheart. Better yet, when the temps cool down a little, pay a visit to the trailhead at Mt. Garfield. For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of the hike was the hope of encountering Boone and Sweetheart along the trail.