I just returned from an amazing week of photographing wild horses at the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary near Lompoc, California. Return to Freedom is a non profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America's Wild Horses. The 6 day workshop, hosted by equine photographers Tony Stromberg and Kimerlee Curyl, focused on the wild horse herds at return to Freedom that is home to over 200 rare and beautiful mustangs from all over the US. The goal of the past week was to foster understanding and education on wild horse behavior and promote conservation and advocacy for the wild horses, in addition to making some amazing images of the these magnificent animals.
Return to Freedom is unique in that the Mustangs are segregated to preserve their rare bloodlines but are allowed to roam free in their own pastures and live their lives in natural familes of herd communities.
In addition to photographing many different horses such as the Sulpher Springs herd, and the Wilbur Cruz Spanish Mission herd, some of which are descendants of the Spanish Mustangs whose genetic bloodlines trace back to the early Spanish explorers and missionaries, we were able to meet Spirit, a Kiger Mustang Stallion who was the inspiration for the Dreamworks animated film "Spirit, Stallion of the Cimmarron".
It was an amazing week that will not be forgotten. Thanks to Return to Freedom founder Neda de Mayo for creating this amazing sanctuary for wild horses and fostering programs to educate the public about this vanishing resource, America's Wild Horses. The majority of horses at the sanctuary have been rescued from public lands or abusive situations and during the week we met many horse ambassadors such as Spirit, Sutter, Freedom, and Isadora Cruz. These were all beautiful animals who make their home at the Santuary and now serve to educate the public.
Highlights of the week included wild horse walks, lectures on wild horse behavior, and meeting some the descendants of the Spanish Mustangs related to the horse in the major motion picture film "Hildalgo". The horse in the film was based on the true life story of Frank Hopkins, an accomplised horseman who dedicated his life to preserving and protecting wild horses. Frank was most famous for riding in and winning an amazing 3000 mile endurance race in Arabia on his mustang "Hidalgo", whom the movie was based after. He was a strong advocate for the mustang and descendants of this mustang breed can be seen at Return to Freedom. Currently, these horses are being removed by the BLM in Oklahoma and are there is a desperate need of funds for relocation and contination. Visit return to Freedom's website at www.returntofreedom.org for more information or to donate to this worthy cause. Thanks to everyone who shared in this past week at the Sanctuary especially Tony and Kimererlee for sharing their insights, techniques, and photographic knowledge with all who atttended.
