EquuStyle Art & Travel's First Year Anniversary - A Celebratory Retrospective!

Australian Carla Grace is an award-winning wildlife artist who offers online painting tutorials.

As we celebrate our first anniversary at EquuStyle Art & Travel, we reflect on the incredible journey we have experienced. In just one year, we have connected horse lovers with the stunning world of equine inspiration, showcasing everything from fine art to breathtaking photography, exciting horseback riding adventures, myriad nonprofits helping people and horses, and those advocating for freedom and protection of America's wild horses and burros.. Join us as we look back at some remarkable highlights that defined our inaugural year.

Exploring Equine Fine Art

Equine fine art is not just about images of horses; it captures their spirit, grace, and majesty. For many, equine fine art serves not only as decoration but also as a tribute to the bond between humans and horses.

This year, we presented a diverse group of talented artists whose creations go beyond traditional boundaries, bringing the beauty of horses to life. We showcased over 115 equine fine art and photography works, with styles ranging from vibrant oil paintings to heart-stopping photographs to intricate equine sculptures.

When you click on an image in this gallery, you will discover information about the artist and a link to the article about the artist in one of EquuStyle Art & Travel Magazine's first four issues.

“A Beautiful Day”by artist Susan Leyland is one of her signature-style Horse Block Sculptures.

Prolific Impressionist William "Bill" St. George was featured in the Spring 2024 issue.

Warm Bays and Blues by Melody DeBenedictis

“Night Herd” by American artist Michael Ome Untiedt is featured in the premiere Winter 2023 issue.

Capturing Moments with Horse Photography

Horse photography has emerged as a captivating art form, allowing us to freeze moments that tell powerful stories. Throughout the year, our readers were exposed to magnificent photography that highlights not only the beauty of horses but also the emotions they evoke.

From exhilarating action shots of two wild stallions fiercely sparring to serene portraits of horses as equine fine art, these images illustrate the stories horses convey through their movements. We were honored to feature several of the world's most talented photographers who share our passion for capturing the magnificence of these animals, creating a community where art meets advocacy. Several fine art equine photographers focus on mustangs to generate awareness about their wild populations through engagements on social media posts.

3 Brothers by fine art equine photographer Tony Stromberg.

"Picasso Runs Up" by preeminent photographer and dedicated wild horse advocate Carol J. Walker.

"Battle at Red Rock"by highly-acclaimed wildlife photographer and wild horse advocate Sandy Sisti.

Onaqui wild horse surrounded by golden sunlight in the Utah desert.

Otherworldly Horseback Riding Destinations

One of the year’s highlights was uncovering exceptional horseback riding destinations around the globe. In the Summer 2024 issue, we featured the enchantment of horseback riding in Iceland! We curated guides for two unique horseback riding adventures and retreats offered by Colorado-based Women's Quest. Imagine being enthralled by dramatic waterfalls, lupin covered valleys, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

Exploring Iceland on horseback with Women's Quest

Women's Quest is a best-in-class, boutique adventure travel company. You may choose from two outstanding once-in-a-lifetime horseback riding adventures. Each Icelandic equestrian experience showcases how horseback adventures foster deeper connections with horses while exploring diverse settings.

Make plans now to spend a life-changing week riding Icelandic horses through bright green valleys of lupin wildflowers, magical beaches, and epic waterfalls. Seeing Iceland's magnificient scenery on the back of a smooth-gated Icelandic horse is an adventure you will always treasure!

Photography Workshops to Capture the Essence of Horses

This year, we highlighted a series of photography workshops designed for enthusiasts eager to hone their skills. Led by experienced photographers, these workshops focus on techniques tailored to capturing the beauty and personality of horses. From the rolling hills of the American West to the snowy mountains of Colorado with Cowgirls with Cameras each location offers unique experiences that celebrate the bond between rider and horse.

Join Cowgirls with Cameras for a spectacular equine photography workshop and retreat. Photo by Phyllis Burchett

Participants learn to utilize natural lighting, master composition, and understand horse behavior, helping them elevate their photography skills. Each workshop included hands-on experience, and insightful critiques from professional photographers, creating an environment for attendees to develop their artistry while sharing their passion for horses.

Traveling to See Wild Horses

The magic of wild horses continues to captivate hearts. This year, we took readers on journeys to renowned locations, including 23,0000 acres of high desert grasslands of The Wild Horse Refuge, the coastal pastures near San Luis Obispo, California and the picturesque landscapes of the American West where the Onaqui wild horses still roam. These trips not only offer unforgettable experiences but also enhance awareness of wild horse preservation efforts.

An article by Founder and CEO Pat Craig details how The Wild Horse Refuge is developing a community of wild horse supporters who are purchasing land to ensure rescued wild horses will remain protected in their secure habitat. By sharing these stories, we inspire equine enthusiasts to witness these majestic animals roaming free.

Iconic stallion Michelangelo and Mia lean onto each other at The Wild Horse Refuge.

Wild horses on the move at Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation near Lompoc, California.

Take an amazing tour to learn about Onaqui wild horses with Jen Rogers and Wild Horse Photo Safaris.

Equine Therapy Nonprofits and Horse Rescues

Colorado Horse Rescue exists to build a better future for horses, one life at a time.

At EquuStyle Art & Travel, we understand the healing power of horses. This year, we highlighted various equine therapy nonprofits making strides in improving lives. In addition, we focused on the admirable work being done everyday by nonprofit horse rescues, such as Colorado Horse Rescue.

Many nonprofits providing equine-assisted services may operate on a shoe-string budget but are able to deliver outsized results. Several equine-therapy organizations also make it possible for retired or rescued horses find a new purpose. Be sure to check out these extraordinary equine nonprofits, horses, and the stories about people benefiting from the healing power of horses.

The Right Step, Inc. in Littleton, CO provides adaptive riding lessons

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center provides clients equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT)

A client of Horses for Mental Health connects with a horse during a session.

Temple Grandin Equine Center offers equine-assisted services for people with disabilities.

An active military service man with an equine therapy horse at Operation Equine in Parker, CO

A young boy leading a Percheron therapy horse at Hope Reins in North Carolina.

Equine therapy leverages the bond between horses and humans to foster emotional healing and personal growth. By sharing inspiring stories from successful programs and the transformations they ignite, we aim to raise awareness and encourage our audience to support these vital organizations.

The Importance of Wild Horse Advocacy

Our commitment to wild horse advocacy has never been more significant. This year, we produced informative articles addressing ongoing challenges faced by wild horse as habitat loss as a result of aggressively removing large numbers of wild horses and burros.

Ginger Kathrens advocating for wild horses

We featured the extraordinary advocacy work of Ginger Kathrens filmmaker and Founder of the The Cloud Foundation who has been actively campaigning on behalf of wild horses and burros for more than 30 years.

As she was filming Cloud and his family (made famous through her own Nature series documentaries on PBS) Kathrens noted,"I began to realize that we were losing America's wild horses. They are being rounded up by the thousand, losing in an instant what they value most: freedom and family." Kathrens has witnessed and advocates because "Some of America's last truly wild horses live on our western public lands. They live in deeply bonded family bands within a complex society of intricate realtionships. And they are in danger of being 'managed' into extinction."

Ginger Kathrens has also written three books about Cloud. Cloud disappeared in late 2016 and his body has never been found; appropriate for a legend. In the spring of 2011, Congress declared Cloud an ambassador for all wild horses living in the American West.

Since 1997, Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Conservation has been at the forefront of wild horse conservation, identifying and pioneering minimally-intrusive solutions at its sanctuary that can be implemented on the range for long-term herd management to keep wild horse and burro herds wild and free. Founder and President, Neda De Mayo believes “True conservation is only possible when all stakeholders have a voice and a shared desire to protect a resource. Time has taught us that we conserve what we love, we love what we understand, we understand what we are taught.”

"Thunder and Lightning" by Sandy Sisti

Internationally-acclaimed wildlife photographers and wild horse advocates Sandy Sisti and Carol J. Walker reveal their long-standing dedication and unrelenting commitment to protecting and preserving America's wild horses.

To further inform the general public, Carol Walker launched a bi-monthly podcast Freedom for Wild Horses, which "explores wild horses and their families, behavior, and iconic symbol of our western heritage."

The critically-acclaimed 2022 documentary "Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West" was featured in the Fall 2024 issue. Our interview with director, writer, editor, narrator, and co-producer, Ashley Avis illuminated many of the controversaries surrounding the enforcement of the Wild and Free-roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 . Her nonprofit, The Wild Beauty Foundation "seeks to cast a spotlight on stopping antiquated wild horse roundups, mass holding facilities, slaughter, and the breaking apart of equine families; along with the senseless torture and killing of wolves & wildlife. 

An important documentary about the plight facing America's wild horses by Ashley Avis

By promoting awareness and education, we seek to inspire our readers to unite for the protection of these iconic creatures. Our dedication to wild horse advocacy remains strong, as we believe that together, we can create a significant impact on their futures.

Looking to the Future

Reflecting on our first year, it’s clear our journey is just beginning. We are immensely grateful for the support from our community of horse enthusiasts, artists, photographers, advocates, and travelers. Your passion motivates our mission, and we look forward to further exploring the realms of equine art, photography, and advocacy.

In the coming year, we plan to expand our offerings, introduce new experiences, and explore deeper topics related to the equine world. Your feedback is invaluable, helping us create a platform that showcases art and travel while fostering a supportive network for everything equine.

A Toast to Our Journey

EquuStyle Art & Travel's first anniversary is a celebration of artistry, community, and our unwavering commitment to horses. We invite you to continue this remarkable journey with us as we explore the enchanting world of equine fine art, breathtaking photography, and captivating horseback riding destinations.

Here’s to many more years of celebrating the incredible bond between humans and horses!

Thank you for being a vital part of our story!

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure with Wild Horse Photo Safaris

Memories of Onaqui Wild Horses Linger Long After the Photo Safari

Wild Horse Photo Safaris (www.wildhorsephotosafaris.com) is a labor of love and a offers unique, custom tailored, ecologically conscious photographic viewing experience through my business A Place In Time Photography, LLC (www.APlaceInTimePhotos.com).

My private year-round tours start and end in the small rural town of Tooele and can accommodate any photography skill level from novice or professionals. Even non-photographers who simply love horses and wildlife have raved it’s been one of the best experiences of their lives.  Tooele is very easy to access only a short 25 minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Pensative Onaqui wild horse

Onaqui wild horsepower!

Onaqui wild stallion rears

Onaqui wild horse grazes

By choosing to accompany me with Wild Horse Photo Safaris on range you are getting the advantage of a unique and customizable experience from someone whose life is entrenched the wild horses on a daily basis.  I've spent over 2,500 hours documenting the herd, the individual family members, their locations, patterns, hide outs and likes and dislikes.  This enables me to help my guests have the best experience possible during your tour. 

It also helps you to feel confident that our time with the wild horses is done in a way that is most at harmony with their location and comfort levels and with the intention of preserving their natural behaviors and surrounding ecological resources for years to come. 

While in Utah’s west desert, my guests will be provided with comprehensive information about the Onaqui herds, band structure and individual horses.  You'll learn their names, stories and what challenges they have had and may still face both on and off the range.  You'll also learn in real time about wild horse behavior and how to read their body language, mannerisms and interactions.

All of my photo safaris are private and limited to small groups traveling together to help ensure the best experience for you and for the Onaqui horses as well.  Tour lengths vary and range from 4 hours, 6 hours to sunrise/sunset per day and multi-day bookings can also be accommodated. 

Onaqui Wild Stallion

Onaqui wild stallions sparring

Beautiful Onaqui wild horse

Previous guests routinely rave about the undeniable spirit of the Onaqui wild mustangs and share that they can’t stop thinking about them long after returning home. 

·         Devona from Arizona shares “What a wonderful experience of light and joy with this wonderful lady.  She has devoted years with dedication and love … holding them in compassion for the rest of the world to witness.” 

·         Lisa from Arizona says “I can’t really find the words to express how my experience with the horses affected me.  It was amazing, breathtaking and soul stirring.  I absolutely fell in love with the Onaqui. They are so special. I fell in love because I was able to hear their stories, history, family dynamics, etc. from someone, Jen Rogers, who has a passion and love for these horses that can’t help but rub off.  It’s contagious.” 

·         John from Virginia shares “It exceeded our expectations.  We saw more wild horses than we could have imagined.  We were able to get close, but not disrupt them in any way.  We can’t say enough good things about our guide Jen.  She knows everything about the horses.  She knows them all by name, how old they are, which horses are in which small group and the behaviors of each horse.  Jen loves all of the horses and is a passionate advocate for them.  Thank you Jen for the experience of a lifetime and one of our best days ever.”

Conservation efforts, including photographic documentation, education and protection, have always been at the forefront of my mind even as a young girl.  I spent long hours near woods and streams learning to identify tracks and understand wildlife behavior.  This has carried me through the years as I traveled abroad exploring several countries where I loved volunteering time and photography skills at animal sanctuaries or private reserves.

An affectionate moment between two Onaqui wild horses in Western Utah

My prior travels and interest in conservation set the foundation for me to start my own locally based 501c3 non-profit Red Birds Trust (redbirdstrust.org) to help preserve and protect the Onaqui wild horses both on and off the range.  Red Birds Trust has worked with various other wild horse advocates around the US to speak for the betterment of the care of the Onaqui wild horses, held numerous range clean up events, sanctuary spotlight events, and assisted in the placement of 150 Onaqui wild horses to date.  Many of these Onaqui we rescued have been bought from kill pens and were slated to be sent to slaughter after they were rounded up off the range and their placements with private owners fail them.

Wild Horse Photo Safaris

Facebook

Instagram

RedBirdsTrust.org

---

EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Jennifer Rogers of Wild Horse Photo Safaris for sharing an excellent article and her gorgeous photographs. As founder of the wild horse advocacy nonprofit Red Birds Trust, Jen Rogers dedication to educate the public about protecting and preserving America’s vanishing wild horses and, in particular the Onaqui wild mustangs, is immensely inspiring.

All images copyright Wild Horse Photo Safaris -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Jennifer Rodgers and Wild Horse Photo Safaris.

#wildhorsephotosafaris #JenniferRogers #professionalfineartphotographer #OnaquiWildHorses #PhotoSafaris #photographwildhorses #wildhorsetours #wildhorsephotography #wildhorseadvocacy #RedBirdsTrust #wildmustangs #wildhorses #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Capturing the Beauty and Spirit of Wild Horses: An Interview with Sandy Sisti

Sandy Sisti advocates for the innate wildness of all animals and their need to be free

"The Black Stallion" The wild mustang stallion, Mesquite, surveys the grand landscape of McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area outside Cody, Wyoming

EquuStyle:  What is it about wild horses that captivates you?

Sandy Sisti: Initially, I was taken in by their beauty. All horses are beautiful, but there’s just something about the wild ones. No matter how many times I see wild horse herds gallop past, their beauty alone never fails to bring me to tears. Once I began spending time with wild horses, I found that it was their toughness and their incredible ability to survive in the toughest of circumstances that really captured my heart.

EquuStyle:  Can you describe what it’s like to spend time wild horses?

Sandy Sisti: There’s nothing quite like spending time with wild horses. I find the experience to be very peaceful. When I’m upset about something, spending time with wild horses always makes me feel better. They really do have a calming influence. Most wild horses in Wyoming live in areas that are difficult to access, so you’re usually alone with the horses and I really enjoy that type of solitude.

"Lean on Me" This cute little colt was born in early September 2021 to the mare, Theya, and her band Stallion, Tahlequah.

EquuStyle:  How did you come up with name of Wild at Heart Images?

Sandy Sisti: I always liked the phrase “wild at heart”, especially after reading Tennessee Williams “A Prayer for the Wild at Heart…” while in college. To me it captures the idea of wanting to do something out of the norm, something that isn’t expected of you. The phrase also reminds me of the innate wildness of all animals and their need to be free. Now that I’m focused on wild horse photography and advocacy, the name really seems to fit.

EquuStyle:  How did growing up on Long Island influence your craft?

Sandy Sisti: Although there wasn’t much wildlife where I grew up, I always had a camera in hand and photographed whatever animals were around. This included our family pets, along with butterflies, birds, small mammals, and the turtles that frequented our local ponds. Once I started driving, Heckscher State Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge were two of my favorite spots for photographing whitetail deer and birds. Although I didn’t go there often, the Bronx Zoo was my favorite place to visit as it exposed me to nature and wildlife that I would never see in my neighborhood.

EquuStyle:  Did you grow up with or around horses?

Sandy Sisti: Unfortunately, I didn’t grow up around horses, but was always crazy about them. I grew up in suburban Long Island, and there weren’t many, if any, horses in the area. My best friend attended horse camp one summer, but my mom wouldn’t allow me to go with her because she was worried that I’d get injured. I did finally start riding, but not until I was an adult.

"Summer Thunder" When you hear the sound of whinnying and thundering hooves and see a cloud of dust appear on the horizon, you know a herd of horses is galloping past.

EquuStyle:  Did you ever formally study photography? If so, where? 

Sandy Sisti: I never formally studied photography, but always considered photography one of my favorite hobbies, even as a child. When I was attending SUNY Stony Brook as an undergraduate, I was a fine art major (drawing, painting) before switching my major to Biology/Biochemistry. After working in the sciences for many years, I returned to the fine art field as a photographer.

EquuStyle:  How was your professional career impacted after being published in National Geographic and National Geographic Kids magazines?

Sandy Sisti: At the time of these publications, I was mainly focused on wildlife photography in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Being featured by National Geographic helped me to become more well known as a photographer and led to more clients using my work for print publications.

EquuStyle:  What was your experience like when you were honored by The Smithsonian for your image “Surveying the Kingdom”?

Sandy Sisti: It was an incredible honor for my work to be recognized alongside many of the nature and wildlife photographers I looked up to at the time. I visited the Smithsonian a few years prior to receiving this award and made a point to see the Nature’s Best Photography/Windland Smith Rice International Awards exhibit. Even then, I never thought a picture I had taken would ever hang in the Smithsonian. It’s still unbelievable when I think about it.

"Battle at Red Rock" The pinto stallion, TNT Dynamite, lunges at band stallion, Kiamichi, as they near the edge of a steep cliff.

EquuStyle:  Which creative individuals have most influenced your work?

Sandy Sisti: When I began pursuing photography seriously, I focused mainly on wildlife photography. At that time, world-renowned nature and wildlife photographer, Thomas D. Mangelsen, was my greatest influence. I studied his style and incredible body of work and was really taken with his images of grizzly bears. Grizzly bears became my favorite subject, as well, and I spent more than ten years focused on bears, as well as, the other megafauna living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

At the same time, I was also photographing the McCullough Peaks wild horses, who would eventually become the main focus of my photography. The incredibly talented and internationally recognized horse photographer, Carol Walker, was a big influence on my photographic work with wild horses. Over the years, Carol became a cherished friend. These days, I continue to look up to Carol, not only in her work as an amazing artist, but as a powerful and unwavering advocate for wild horses.

"Black Beauty" Frigid temperatures and frozen fog make foraging difficult for the horses in winter.

EquuStyle:  Do you have a safe distance that you maintain when photographing wild horses? 

Sandy Sisti: The requirement at McCullough Peaks is to stay at least 300 feet from the wild horse herds, and I do my best to comply with that. I usually don’t get any closer than 100 feet to any other of the more approachable wild horses. Many of the wild horses in Wyoming, run off when they hear a vehicle approach, so I photograph them from my vehicle or from a great distance with a super telephoto lens.

EquuStyle:  Have you ever found yourself in a precarious situation with a wild horse?

Sandy Sisti: In all the years I’ve been photographing wild horses, I’ve never found myself in a precarious situation.

EquuStyle:  Why is advocating for wild horses important to you?

Sandy Sisti: If we don’t continue to advocate for wild horses, in time there will be no more wild horses on our public lands, only livestock. This year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to remove more than 10,000 wild horses from public land with the majority of these horses moved to long-term holding facilities where they will live out the rest of their lives.

"Thunder and Lightning" Lead mare, Taboo, guides her band to a nearby draw as a fast-moving thunderstorm hits the range.

Currently there are more than 60,000 once wild horses stockpiled in long-term holding. If the BLM has their way, this eradication of wild horses will continue. I don’t want to live in a world without wild horses and I know I’m not alone. That’s why I continue to advocate for them.

EquuStyle:  Do you believe social media posts are effective for changing the hearts and minds of people about the need to protect wild horses? 

Sandy Sisti: Social media is a very effective tool to help educate people about the plight of our wild horses. The majority of Americans have never seen wild horses and many don’t even know they exist.

Through the use of social media, we can inform people about the BLM’s terrible mismanagement of our wild horses. In time, many of these people will begin to care about the wild horses and some may eventually become advocates. I’ve seen this happen many times thanks to social media.

"God of Thunder" The stallion, Thor, postures towards a rival stallion intent on stealing his mare, Shakira.

EquuStyle: How has your influence on social media helped with fundraising and motivating people to take action?

Sandy Sisti: I believe that the more people learn about the McCullough Peaks wild horses, the more they care about them.

Sharing stories and photos of these horses on social media gets people involved in their lives and over time they develop a real affection for them. The deep feelings people have for the McCullough Peaks wild horses motivates them to want to help them when they can, with donations, petition writing, etc. Many people who contact me about the McCullough Peaks wild horses have never seen them, but they know everything about them and care about them just as much as I do. Without social media, I don’t think this could happen.

EquuStyle: What would you like people to know about the McCullough Peaks wild Mustangs?

Sandy Sisti: The McCullough Peaks herd is a small population of wild horses that have been effectively managed with PZP immunocontraceptive vaccine since 2011.  Thanks to the use of PZP, their average yearly population growth rate has held at 2% for the last ten years. Because of this, there had been no roundups since a 2013 bait trapping operation where 20 young horses were removed.

"Ice Dancer" Graceful as a dancer, the black stallion, Chippewa, makes his way through the fresh snow early on a December morning.

During the winter of 2023/2024, the BLM initiated a bait trapping operation at McCullough Peaks and permanently removed 40 horses aged from 4 months to 15 years. During the removal of these horses, nursing foals were taken from their mothers, families were torn apart, bloodlines were expunged and horses were injured. One horse, a yearling filly named “Kat Ballou” died from acute head trauma after running into the side of a holding pen while in the care of the BLM.

Now, more than two months after the conclusion of the bait trapping, the McCullough Peaks horses are still in disarray after the traumatic removal of their longtime family members. Although I’m heartbroken about what happened at McCullough Peaks, this happens every time the BLM rounds up and removes wild horses from their rangeland homes. The BLM destroys the horse’s families and the tight bonds that have been formed over many years of living together. In time, the McCullough Peaks wild horses will adjust as best they can to their new circumstances, but we can’t forget what happened to them as we continue our fight for not only the McCullough Peaks herd, but all the wild horses

.

EquuStyle: Are there particular horses in the McCullough Peaks herd that you have come to know and they recognize you?

Sandy Sisti: I’ve spent thousands of hours with the McCullough Peaks wild horses in the 15 years I’ve been observing and photographing them. I don’t only photograph the horses when I visit, but I talk to them too. Because I’m an almost constant fixture on the range, I believe that many of the horses recognize my voice and scent. It would only seem natural that they would.

"Stormborne" The stallion, Washakie, rears up to protect his newly acquired family from curious bachelor stallions.

EquuStyle: What do you believe is the best way for people to advocate for wild horses?

Sandy Sisti: One of the best ways to advocate for wild horses is to contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to inform them about the plight of our wild horses. The only way to truly protect our wild horses is for Congress to enact new legislation to protect wild horses and limit the grazing of private livestock on public lands.

---

Wild at Heart Images

Instagram

Facebook

Freedom for Wild Horses with Carol Walker Podcast

Saving the McCullough Peaks Herd: Interview with Sandy Sisti

All images Copyright Sandy Sisti and Wild at Heart Images -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Sandy Sisti and Wild at Heart Images.

#SandySisti #WildAtHeartImages #wildhorses #wildhorseadvocacy #fineartequinephotography #wildmustangs #McCulloughPeaksWildHorses #equineart #horseart #equinefineart #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine