Horse Crazy

Growing up, I had a lot of friends who were what I will call “horse crazy.” You know the type, right? Weekends at the barn, ribbons hanging around their mirrors, and little miniatures of horses on their shelves. While I appreciated their passion for animals (I was -and still am- that way with dogs), I didn’t fully understand this horsey mania until I became a professional photographer and then a volunteer. 

Working with horses has led me to some pretty fabulous friendships, which have led to some epic gigs. Earlier this month, I photographed my friend Nicole Birkholzer (https://www.mindful-connections.com/), an internationally renowned Animal Communicator, on a beautiful remote farm (https://www.theequuseffect.org/) in Sharon, CT.

Then, I photographed a 30th birthday party at Hawksview Farm —for a supernatural horse named Topaz— replete with human and animal friends, including dogs, cats, and a resident pig named Marley . Special thank you for the invite to Topaz's person, mobile vet Adrien Zap (https://zapvet.com), who goes ALLLLLL OUT for the beings she loves!

Those occasions were filled with the magic that only a breezy summer afternoon with beloved beasts and friends can provide. Spending time with people who are deeply committed to the welfare of animals has been an eye-opener…it’s broadened my thinking and deepened my animal relationships. This brings me to another rewarding recent experience…

STABLE FRIENDSHIPS

My pals at Stable Friendships hosted the NYC Hospital for Special Surgery to provide an immersive horseback riding experience for The Penny Doerge Adaptive Academy (PDAA). The Academy “organizes local, regional and national adaptive programs for pediatric patients facing a wide range of disabilities. These events help kids and teenagers to realize new skills and interests, encourage mobility and activity and allow patients to socialize with other patients.” My job is to document the action and occasionally step in and assist with the horses and riders when needed.

Equine-assisted therapies have grown in popularity, and through my years of volunteering, I can personally attest to the miraculously healing relationships that can emerge in horse and human partnerships. What makes Stable Friendships so unique is its dedication not only to its clients but also to the horses with whom it partners. The horses in the program are engaged as truly integral team members and benefit from exceptional care and long-term retirement plans.

I recently read that the old W.C. Fields quote, “Never work with children or animals,” wasn’t meant to be literal. It was meant to warn us that animals and children always steal the show. And that’s the part that I love—let them steal it.