Wild Horses
On March 26, I had the incredible luck of photographing the iconic Salt River wild horses outside of Phoenix. My photography instructor and friend, Pearl Racette, told me not to get my hopes up, as she’d been out looking for them in five past attempts with no luck. Remember: click to enlarge each photo so you can see the detail better.
Imagine my delight when we saw about 12 horses with lots of youngsters in tow! (I give Pearl all the credit; when we learned from a hiker that two horses were nearby, Pearl’s sixth sense kicked in. Instead of following the hiker’s path, without hesitation, Pearl said, “Let’s head to the road that runs parallel!”) She was right! And we saw this:
If you Google Salt River wild horses, you will see they’ve made quite a splash in the news, especially when they were slated for roundup and removal in July of 2015, which – thank goodness – didn’t happen. If it had, a piece of history would have been lost forever (It is believed that the herd is descended from the Spanish horses brought to Arizona by Spanish missionary Father Eusebio Kino in the 1600s).
Though I did not photograph it, another incredible event occurred no more than 15 to 20 feet away. Two stallions, without warning, ran toward us from a stand of mesquite and cat’s claw acacia, then rose majestically on their back legs, nostril-to-nostril, front legs kicking, whinnying and snorting. Talk about an adrenaline-producing moment. They were so close, I felt the deep thud of hooves ricochet along my spine as the two muscled stallions came back down to the ground. Then they flicked their manes, acted like nothing had happened, and trotted away.
I should note that this shoot was in preparation for a wildlife photography class the next day that we both were taking with award-winning wildlife photographer Kathleen Reeder. Stay tuned for photos from that wonderful trip next week!
And if you want to learn more about The Salt River horses (sadly, they are not out of the woods regarding protection), the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has some interesting FAQs on their site.
For Readers, For Writers, For Everyone: Even if you don’t love horses in the fiction you read – or are admittedly in awe of them (and a little scared) due to their incredible strength and sass – you have to admit they symbolize the free spirit. And here, in Arizona, they conjure the wild west like few other things can. It’s nearly impossible – even if you’re not a creative type – not to get caught up in the creative aura that seems to cling to their shiny backs and whisper through their windblown manes. So, yes, I feel creatively inspired by nature – and photography. Again. What about you? Do you have a thing for horses? For horses in the fiction you read (If so, tell us of some good books that place equines front and center)? For writing about or photographing horses?
April 3rd, 2017 at 5:40 am
Beautiful photos and prose, Melissa! So nice to visit here again. 🙂 My mom grew up on a horse farm in Pennsylvania, and we had a mare (and her foal) for about ten years in my childhood. I loved feeding sugar cubes to the foal, but the mare was very temperamental, once biting my dad’s chest and leaving a large red mark, so I’ve never felt at ease around horses, though I do love to ride if I know it’s been broken in.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 3rd, 2017 at 6:47 am
I confess to healthy amounts of fear and respect regarding horses. When I was young, we did a tour-guided horse ride though Cook Forest in PA, and my mom’s horse began running out of control and very quickly through a thickly wooded forest (to my young 6-year-old eyes). Then my friend’s horse bucked me off when I was in 6th grade and nearly landed on me with her back hooves. At any rate, despite my trepidation, I love them and truly AM in awe. Glad your dad was ok (scary)! And SO happy to see you here.
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April 3rd, 2017 at 6:20 am
Oh, just beautiful! How lucky! I remember reading about this group of horses–I hope they remain protected. Nature is the one sure thing that always inspires me.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 3rd, 2017 at 6:49 am
We are kindred spirits in that way, Jess — nature = inspiration. I am, indeed, a lucky duck. You know, I can’t believe I never knew about these horses. Years ago, I did research to find out if there were any wild horses in Arizona, and my search revealed there were none. Given the press these guys have gotten in recent years, NOW it pops up all over the place. But to think I once lived only 30 minutes from this and never KNEW? What!??!
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Jessica Vealitzek Reply:
April 3rd, 2017 at 6:57 am
I know — one of the good things about the Internet and the ability to find out about EVERYthing ALL the time. :/ Speaking of wild animal sightings, my son was swimming about fifteen feet off shore in Naples, FL last week and a manatee swam right by him! You could see it from offshore. We followed it a ways and it came up for air at one point. I think my son is the sea animal whisperer–last year while I swam with him, a dolphin breached so close to us we could have touched it.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:01 am
Wow. That is SO cool — and what a great experience for him both times. Maybe he’ll be our next leading marine biologist!
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April 3rd, 2017 at 7:56 am
Fabulous photos!! Cherish this sighting, it won’t be long before these iconic animals are all gone:
A slow-rolling pogrom
is sweeping the west
BIA rooting equine impurity
out of cow fiefdoms
on leased public lands,
millions of bovines threatened,
by a few thousand wild horses.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 3rd, 2017 at 7:59 am
Oh, Mary… I hope you’re wrong and that their protections continue past this ‘limited legal window.’ They are, indeed, majestic and I feel privileged for the chance to see them up-close.
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April 3rd, 2017 at 3:54 pm
oh, Oh, OH my blessed word. F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C! Absolutely fantastic!
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 4th, 2017 at 8:02 am
By your enthusiastic response, I see you ARE a horse person! 😉
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April 4th, 2017 at 11:40 am
Great photos, Melissa. Nature and wildlife always inspire me, both in person and in literature. Your photos made me think of THE ORCHARDIST, with its wild horses, Native American elements, and vivid descriptions of its natural setting. Still one of my favorite all-time reads.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 4th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Thanks, Jess! Ah, yes, THE ORCHARDIST … It will come as no surprise that I just pulled that book out last week for inspiration. How had I forgotten the HORSES in that novel?! Maybe I need to re-read. One of my all-time favorites as well!
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April 5th, 2017 at 7:21 am
Wow!! Awesome photos! You captured so much personality and group dynamics. Each one is delight! You are so right, nothing speaks to the western spirit like wild horses. When I did research on wild horses for a post last year, I was amazed at the logic used to remove these animals from their natural habitat — grazing rights for cattle in which we lose massive amounts of tax payer money AND the cattle does massive amount of destruction of the land. Our priorities are so messed up.
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 5th, 2017 at 8:37 am
I have to tell you — I didn’t realize how LUCKY I was to have experienced this. Pearl went back out yesterday and searched for the horses for three HOURS and found none. I feel so fortunate. And, Linda, yes – your point about the reasons for removing the horses are heartbreaking. Ranchers often win over wolf recovery and other endangered species recovery as well. Almost always, actually. And the irony is that cattle aren’t indigenous to the SW. Heck — they are not indigenous to any part of the US. Buffalo were. Period. Most people don’t know that. Cattle came from Europe. (Yes, I’ve gone off on a tangent).
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April 6th, 2017 at 4:30 am
I don’t really have a thing for horses, but these pictures are so incredible and I get why YOU have a thing for horses!
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 13th, 2017 at 7:46 am
I am, admittedly, a bit afraid of horses, but I find them such amazing animals. I mean, their muscled bodies just exude power! Hope you’re well, Nina!
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April 17th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Wow, wow, wow! What an unbelievable experience! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I feel inspired too; maybe it’s the song tie-in, but I find the very concept of ‘wild horses’ so romantic. True magic!
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
April 17th, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I am realizing, more and more, how fortunate I was to have this unique glimpse! Ha – me, too. The Wild Horses song has been running through my head a lot; I love it, also — very romantic and beautiful. Hope you’re well. I think of you often!
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