UNBROKEN

Words by Blake

In the days after shooting my most iconic bison image, 28 Below, I decided to return to the place where I was first introduced to the American mustang; Cody, Wyoming. These were the coldest days of the winter, exceptionally cold especially once I got to the plains of Wyoming with wind chill at times of more than 40 below! I had never experienced this place with so much snow and had to hike many miles out to see the mustangs. I found the herd that had I known so well and spent a few days out with them in the harshest of conditions. Like my shot of the bison, I wanted to create a simple yet strong portrait and I found myself drawn to this incredible black stallion. He was a fighter; the epitome of power and strength and he dominated the herd. Though he was constantly competition and challenged for that spot. In between battles I found him contemplating his position at the top in this frozen windswept land and I made my image. So inspired by these mustangs, months later I went on to adopt and train my first wild horse, one that was actually the spitting image of this great stallion, only from another herd in another place. My experience with him has been one of the most impactful in my life. The American mustang, known for their heartiness, strength, and endurance developed from generations in the wild is one of the greatest breeds of horse known to man. Today he lives with me at my home in the Eastern Sierra and we ride daily out of the house into the desert sagebrush beneath beautiful snowy mountains.