George Brauneis is a lifelong horseman, wild horse advocate, storyteller, and the founder of Eagles and Wild Horses Ranch in western Colorado.

 

George grew up on the eastern edge of Roubideau Canyon, where the rugged country rises toward the Uncompahgre Plateau — land that was once part of the Ute Nation. Long before he dreamed of becoming an author, those canyons became his playground. Nearly every day brought a new adventure as he explored the mesas, arroyos, hidden springs, and winding trails with his trusty horse, Taffy, his steadfast mammoth burro, Old Ed, and his three faithful dogs — Finster, Zorro, and Licorice. Those childhood adventures instilled a lifelong appreciation for wildlife, wild places, and the stories that nature quietly tells to those willing to listen.

 

His love of horses began almost as soon as he could walk. At just six years old, George wrote letters to Congress and the President in support of Wild Horse Annie and the legislation that would eventually become the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. What began as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong calling.

 

After college, George’s path led him to Southern California, where he worked in the aerospace industry as a technical engineer and information manager for a precision five-axis CNC manufacturing company serving aerospace leaders, including Northrop Grumman and Boeing. Among the many projects he supported were components that ultimately became part of the International Space Station. While his career helped support humanity’s exploration of space, his heart never strayed far from the wild horses, wide-open landscapes, and timeless spirit of the American West.

 

Eventually, the call of home proved stronger than the lure of aerospace. George returned to western Colorado, where he now dedicates his days to caring for a herd of rescued wild horses and burros, preparing many of them for adoption into loving homes. He also works alongside organizations committed to protecting America’s wild horses. His work has included hundreds of volunteer hours restoring habitat, improving water sources, removing obsolete fencing, supporting humane fertility control programs, and advocating for practical, science-based management that benefits healthy rangelands, wild horses, wildlife, and even livestock. Striving for collaboration in range management, not competition.

 

The Watering Hole Chronicles grew naturally from those experiences. Inspired by both his childhood adventures and the remarkable personalities of the animals he has known throughout his life, the series brings together humor, friendship, adventure, and timeless life lessons. Characters like Sneaky Pete, Tahotay, Tux, and the ever-watchful Magpie, their personalities—and many of their adventures—are rooted in the real world.

 

George believes every horse has a story, every landscape holds a memory, and every person—young or old—still has room for one more adventure. Through his writing, he hopes to remind readers that courage can be quiet, kindness is never wasted, and the best journeys are often measured not by the miles traveled, but by the friends made along the way.

 

Whether he’s standing beneath an ancient cottonwood, watching a rescued mustang discover trust, or sharing a tale around a campfire, George hopes his stories inspire readers to see the world with a little more wonder, a little more compassion, and a little more joy.

 

Until our trails cross again,

George Brauneis