Solemn Drive
Making Their Way Home
The sound…
A deafening clip-clop on asphalt.
With the rumbling of wranglers cracking whips, whistling, yipping. Also, the cries of horses calling for their friends, separated from each other on the drive.
You could feel the rhythmic and thunderous power of their galloping hooves in your bones.
We stayed with the herd the entire drive, but I always felt they had a resigned determination.
As if they knew that the winter of wild was over and they were headed to their season of work. Not unhappy, just focused on maintaining their pace and keeping up with their buddies.
One memory that sticks out to me was at the end of the day. They were held somewhere near water and once they were done traveling the hunt for their buddies began. Quiet desperation. I’d never seen anything like it. There were horses splashing down to the water to get a drink and to cool off, but many, many horses calling for their friends and searching across the vast expanse of horses to find one another. Then, when they met up after being separated from each other at some point on the drive, they were so sweet reconnecting with each other.
The powerful bond. Raw. Unrestrained. Herd dynamics communicated with whinnies, nips, and grooming.
Amazing.
“Colorado’s own Great American Horse Drive... The thrill, raw energy, and untamed beauty of hundreds of horses thundering across the range. Sombrero Ranches’ spring tradition since 1959. We move our herd across the spectacular sagebrush country of far northwestern Colorado, from winter pasture to ranch headquarters...pushing one of the largest saddle horse herds in the nation. Covering approximately sixty miles of the open range, highways, and back-roads.” Getting back to work after a welcomed and long winter break. Once they reach the ranch they are matched up with tack, vetted and shod, and put to work for the summer at various dude ranches and general ranch work around the state.
The equine image captures the horse’s expressions — what do you think their eyes are saying? They make me feel a little solemn… like going back to work after a great vacation or a sweet time spent with loved ones. Not sadness, but resignation. But, back to the grind.
Their stride reminds me of the fierce determination to find their friends. The safety of their unity and companionship. The look in their eyes draws me back to the memory. Bringing the sound of the pounding hooves back to my ears.
Solemn Drive — available for purchase from Fast Horse Photography’s Equine Art Collective.
Professional horse photography at it’s finest.
The perfect equine gift for anyone. Not only horse lover’s, but also anyone who appreciates the power and grace of the herd. Ideal for any home, store, or office. Exquisite western lifestyle decor, and general horse decor ideas.
This print is an UNFRAMED, signed print, and comes in sizes 12 x 24 and 16 x 32.
Edge to edge print with no borders.
Proudly printed in the USA
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