Unbridled Beauty
Wild Horses in the McCullough Peaks
"Wild horses keep draggin' me away..."
Garth Brooks
After photographing the horses at Pryor Mountains we zipped over to Cody Wyoming territory to photograph the wildies at McCullough Peaks. We were so fortunate to have someone show us the hotspots and best routes to navigate through the desert region. Renee is a local and someone we had been communicating with prior to our arrival. She photographs the horses often and her help was so valuable! Im not sure we would have had as much luck finding the horses if it werent for her! There were times we got ourselves in a pickle with directions or taking the wrong turn and Renee always answered our SOS! The morning we met her out on the range started out slow but then the magic unfolded before our eyes. Just over the ridge dozens of horses appeared, running and sparring. I was amazed at the number of pintos in the herd and it made for a colorful, spectacular sight! Too bad the sun was in the wrong direction but I was able to snag a few action shots.
The more you put yourself out on the range the better you increase your chances of being a part of something amazing. On this particular day while we were photographing the herd, we saw a lot of activity surrounding a band. We noticed one of the horses had blood on its legs and thought it must have been injured in all the ruckus. Using our long lenses as binoculars, we were able to see that it was actually a mare who had just had a baby and the placenta, still hanging from her body, had not yet been expelled. It was really something to watch how the band protected the newborn and its mama. The horses encircled them and other horses seemed to be stationed just outside the circle, tasked with the job of chasing off any nosey intruders. It was such an incredible experience! We snagged a few shots then left them so as not to cause stress. After a few hours we came back to the same area and the baby was on its feet. He was very unsteady and we watched as he tried to find his mama's udder to nurse. Sometimes we noticed the mama would walk away from the baby while he was trying to figure it all out. I later learned that the mare will do this so the baby learns to follow her. As time progressed over the hours ahead, the baby did indeed figure out the system of nursing and following mama around.
There's always lots of activity at the watering hole. Some horses get a quick drink and then get out of the way. Others take their time and relish in the moment, laying down in the cool water, rolling & splashing. It's always fun when I review my images because there's sure to be some pretty funny looking expressions!
Portraits of wild horses
Why do the wild horses have such a draw on me that I will forgo food or drink & sit in a squat in the hot sun for an extended period of time in order to photograph them?
Why is it my thoughts are often reliving those magical moments or thinking about and planning my next encounter with them?
Why does my heart skip a beat when I first step foot on the wild horse range, anticipating a sighting?
Why do I endure heat, wind, rain, and hail so I can watch them, listen to them, & be a part of their environment, even after I’ve gotten the shots I came for?
The answers to these questions is best summarized in the following quote:
“I was drawn to horses as if they were magnets. It was in my blood. I must have inherited… a genetic proclivity toward the equine species. Perhaps there's a quirk in the DNA that makes horse people different from everyone else, that instantly divides humanity into those who love horses and the others, who simply don't know.”
― Allan J. Hamilton, Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality of Working with Horses
I take back home with me the spirit of the wild horse...perseverence, endurance, loyal to family, beauty, strength, and running free as they should be.
