A few months ago I submitted some of my photography work to California Northern. It takes a while to get responses, editors are VERY busy folks!
Imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago, the editor contacted me about publishing some images I captured while volunteering at a local horse rescue.
I have always loved horses and when we moved to the north bay my daughter fell in love with horses too. So we looked around and found a wonderful horse rescue called Well Trained Horses, located at Icssoma Farm in beautiful west Sebastopol. We booked a lesson and I was hooked.
My daughter and I started volunteering on a regular basics, in exchange for riding lessons. Our experiences at the stables have grown to so much more than just riding lessons. We have found a new family, been emotionally healed, and bonded with 13 of the most amazing horses I have ever be blessed to spend time with.
Of course as a photographer, I couldn’t wait to photograph these majestic beasts!
They all have a story... some are sad tales, some just needed a place to call home.
Susan Jan is an amazing trainer and mentor. The horses actually light up when she is around. Taking care of 13 horses is no easy task, the economical challenges alone should make you cringe. Don’t even get me started on the amount of muck!
This is why the publishing of these two photographs of Ernie and one of Bluff is so important to me. Exposure for Susan and her cause. Well Trained Horses runs on donations and the support of a fantastic group of volunteers! There is always plenty of work to go around. If you want to help, monetary donations are fantastic, we can also use donations of supplies, tack, feed, and hard work!
Cheers,
Joy
For more information on Susan Jan and the horses at Icssoma Farm please visit their website
www.welltrainedhorses.com
See more of my equine photography in issue #3 of California Northern
