The Human-Horse Bond

My wife, Becky and I have the privilege to live in Oakdale, California, the self proclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World." In fact, the famous rodeo venue is just down the street. A short drive outside of town in any direction you will enter some of the most prolific, vast and active ranchland in the United States. On the weekends, especially during the Spring foaling season, we enjoy going out to a nearby ranch to feed the mares waiting to give birth, and if we are lucky, to maybe witness a foal being born. This is a much welcomed reprieve from the urban hustle and bustle of The Silicon Valley where I work during the week. In this series, I wanted to capture the freedom and quiet solitude that this beautiful landscape provides, while showing the loving and trusting bond between humans and horses. These particular ponies, which roam free on this large, vast ranch, really don't have much contact with humans, yet almost seem intuitively drawn to Becky, even without the apples. After shooting these photographs over a 4 week period in March and April, I came to better understand why humans have come to love, trust and rely on these magnificent animals.