Horse(wo)manship

My daughter Ilaria, 26 years old, spends most of her free time with her horse Matcho. It is not the only one: 90% of US and British horses are owned by women, 4 out of 5 equine veterinarians are women, the ratio of women/men among FISE (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports) members is 70/30. Observing the harmony between women and horses beyond the stereotype of care, there is something ancestral in the combination of strength and sensitivity. Why are young women today so deeply attached to horses and how are they transforming the equestrian world? The photographic project attempts to answer these questions. The photos were taken at 3D Ranch in Bologna, Italy, where D stands for women, a riding school where the philosophy of horsemanship is practised, a basic training method for humans and horses based on mutual communication, respect and trust. The goal of horsemanship is to make the horse a confident and self-assured animal. Surprisingly, as I photographed, I identified with the horse. This project has a strong therapeutic value for me.