In the vast expanse of the American West, amidst rugged terrain and sprawling plains, roams a symbol of untamed freedom and resilience—the wild horse. These majestic creatures have captured the hearts of the American public for generations and have inspired countless artists and writers.
American literature has created an almost mythological aura around the mustangs due to the strong associations with the national identity.
As David Phillips puts it in “Wild Horse Country”, “The mustang, on the other hand, embodies the core ideals of America. It is not pedigreed. It has no stature. Instead, it derives its nobility from the simple toughness of its upbringing in a free and open land. It is beholden to no one. It will not be subjugated. It is superior to its domestic brethren because it has the one thing Americans say they yearn for most: freedom. It is the hoofed version of Jeffersonian democracy.”
But not everyone appreciates the idealized image of the American wild horse that has evolved in literature, nor the very real impact that mustangs have played in the history of the United States. Consequently, the real-world challenges that wild horses face include an imminent threat to their freedom on our Western lands and the sad reality of diminishing numbers – not from any natural process, but by deliberate government action.
There are many organizations and individuals advocating on behalf of the mustangs, attempting to bring public awareness to their historical role and the importance of preserving their presence. One of these individuals is wild horse photographer Maria Marriott, who uses her lens to capture the beauty and plight of these iconic animals through wild horse fine art photography.
The Literary Reverie of Wild Horses
Wild Horses in Literature: A Timeless Symbol
The image of wild horses galloping freely across the open plains has long been a source of inspiration for writers and poets. These creatures epitomize the spirit of unbridled freedom and tenacity, themes that have found their way into numerous literary works. Indeed, the legend of the white horse has been a common theme across time and cultures.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
Authors such as Zane Grey and Will James painted vivid portraits of wild horses in their novels, crafting stories that celebrated the untamed beauty of these animals while also highlighting the challenges they face in a changing world. Often, these tales are not just about horses; they are an exploration of the human spirit, the desire for freedom, and the struggle to preserve what is wild and free.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
Wild Horses in the Modern Literary Landscape
Today, contemporary authors continue to draw inspiration from wild horses, weaving their stories into the fabric of conservation efforts and environmental awareness. Works like J. Frank Dobie’s “The Mustangs” and Terri Farley’s “Phantom Stallion” series use wild horses as central characters, bringing their struggles and triumphs to the forefront of young adult literature.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
Through their prose, these writers convey the importance of protecting these creatures and their natural habitats, and educating readers about the real-world challenges faced by wild horses, such as habitat loss and government roundups.
Real-World Challenges: The Plight of Wild Horses
Habitat Loss and Overpopulation: A Delicate Balance
While wild horses have thrived in the American West for centuries, some argue that the current numbers of wild horses in the West represent an “overpopulation”. Others, represented by credible evidence and scientific studies, have argued that the current levels of wild horses do not represent a threat to the environment or land. Regardless, it is clear that the encroachment of human development, agriculture, and ranching has significantly reduced the available land for these horses to roam freely.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
In tandem with habitat loss, the issue of overpopulation continues to be front and center in this controversy. Wild horse populations can expand rapidly and the challenge has prompted various conservation efforts, such as birth control measures, and management strategies aimed at maintaining healthy herd sizes.
Conservation Efforts: The Guardians of Wild Horses
One of the critical challenges faced in wild horse conservation is striking the right balance between managing herd populations and ensuring the horses’ well-being.
Another essential facet of conservation efforts is fertility control. By using safe and humane methods to manage population growth, such as the administration
of natural contraceptive vaccines, conservationists work to stabilize herd sizes while avoiding the need for more intrusive interventions. A dedicated community of organizations and individuals works tirelessly to ensure the welfare and preservation of wild horses.
Maria Marriott, an internationally award winning equine photographer, has been an integral part of this conservation mission. Her passion for wild horses led her to use her artistic talents to raise awareness about the challenges these animals face in the modern world.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
Marriott believes that it is ultimately literature and the arts that will most impact public opinion, causing the public to become aware of the challenges faced by the American wild horses. “Anyone can find statistics and a scientific study to support their position, but it is not scientific evidence that will most impact the freedom of the mustangs. Ultimately, legislation is driven by public opinion; and public opinion is driven by emotion. Literature and the arts have an outsized impact on driving emotional impact and public opinion. So my focus is on the beauty of the American mustangs, their importance in our history, and creating wild horse artwork that creates a connection with our national identity.”
Capturing the Essence: Maria Marriott’s Wild Horse Fine Art
The challenges faced by wild horses in the modern world are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. The plight of these animals serves as a call to action for all who appreciate their beauty and significance.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
A Glimpse into the Artistic Vision
Maria Marriott’s journey into wild horse photography has become a great example of the power of art to drive change. Born in Brazil and equipped with a degree in Photojournalism, her early affinity for photography laid the foundation for her remarkable career. Her love for horses, cultivated over years of equestrian pursuits, converged with a passion for photography when she embarked on a journey to find wild mustangs in the Pine Nut mountains of Nevada.
Tracking and photographing herds of mustangs in the Western states over several years helped her develop an artistic vision for presenting their beauty and untamed spirit through photographic art. That artistic vision resulted in wild horse photography characterized by intimate and minimal compositions that convey the raw beauty and emotion of her subjects.
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
Marriott says that “Each image must tell a story, evoking a sense of connection between the viewer and the American wild horses. It is so gratifying when that emotional connection is made, such as when a collector tells me that a particular piece touched them deeply. That is one more person added to the team advocating for these horses.”
Art Changes Minds
Art has the capacity to influence societal change through changing the way people perceive reality.
Marriott believes that “Art allows us to create a visual metaphor of reality. For example, a piece of wild horse artwork that shows a beautiful, healthy mare surrounded by a lush meadow in the Utah desert is a powerful counterargument to the prevailing narrative that wild horses are starving because of overpopulation. It registers, consciously or subconsciously, in our minds and becomes more powerful than statistics and data.”
As French artist JR puts it, “Art is not supposed to change the world, to change practical things, but to change perceptions. Art can change the way we see the world. Art can create an analogy.” And in changing the perceptions, the way that people see a situation, the world then can be changed through the “practical things.”
Photo Credit: Maria Marriott Photography
The Intersection of Art and Conservation
In this convergence of literature, conservation, and wild horse art, one constant remains—the enduring beauty and importance of the American mustangs. From the pages of classic novels to the lens of a dedicated photographer these majestic creatures continue to inspire, captivate, and call us to action.
Literature and art, such as the of Maria Marriott, serve as a bridge between the worlds of creativity and conservation. In this way, art becomes an analogy, a visual narrative, and can be a powerful catalyst for change.
Join artists like Marriott in celebrating the spirit of wild horses, both through the written word and the visual arts. By supporting those that tell the stories and inspire action, we can ensure that these symbols of freedom and resilience continue to roam free across the plains of the American West for generations to come.
About The Author
Susanne J. is an accomplished writer and passionate advocate for wild horse conservation. With a deep love for nature and a background in environmental journalism, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by wild horses in the modern world. Through her writing, Susanne aims to raise awareness and inspire action, emphasizing the vital role that literature and storytelling play in the preservation of these iconic creatures.
