In Placitas, New Mexico, wild horses are the subject of both awe and resentment. While a symbol of freedom, they've been a source of heated debate in the community for years. Residents have fed and watered them, leading them into town and onto the highway where numerous collisions have taken place. Others see them as destructive presences on the landscape. They are often rounded up by federal authorities and corralled, possibly for the rest of their lives unless they’re adopted from holding pens. But three women recognised their predicament and decided to rein the issue in. Visual journalist Diana Cervantes is highlighting their commitment.
Sandy Johnson, Adelina Sosa, and Karen Tyler have dedicated their lives to the horses’ survival. They co-founded Placitas Wild, a non-profit working to keep the animals safe, and as free as possible. Finding land where the horses are protected from being rounded up is no easy task. The horses are either adopted by private landowners who have the acreage, or kept in the women’s charge until they can find a suitable space for them. Feeding the horses, providing them with water, and procuring veterinary care are just a few of the ways the women tend to the horses. To showcase their commitment and most recent plight, Cervantes created the visual series Placitas Wild. Her images capture not only the beauty of these animals, but the bond the women share with them. “Seeing the women interact with the horses, it was just so magical,” Cervantes says. “They sacrifice so much.”
While the wild creatures have caused controversy for many years, Cervantes is using her photography to foster a spirit of interconnectedness between people and animals. “I know those relationships exist in the world and I want to bring them to the forefront,” she says. Thanks to guardians such as Johnson, Sosa, and Tyler, the horses of Placitas can continue to roam free.
Please sign in to leave a comment