tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28185453684053570852024-03-12T20:25:51.608-07:00Montana EquusAfter being laid off from my job, I decided to take a leap and follow my heart with a change of career. I grew up on horses and have always wanted to get back into their world. I recently moved to Fairfield, MT to participate in a work study program at the Montana Horse Sanctuary.Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-84759354662961889392012-05-04T11:20:00.001-07:002012-05-15T15:22:01.079-07:00<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Honey</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I first met Honey in 2009. She was born in the wild of the Black Hills, a descendant of Don Juan Sulphur and Sulphur de Ore, with Spanish bloodlines that date back to the 1300‘s, long before the Spanish Conquistadors came to Mexico. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sulphur de Ore, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honey's dam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don Juan Sulphur, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honey's sire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always saw Honey standing in the back of the herd or off to the side, but I never witnessed any of her herd-mates pushing her back or away from herd. She always had this sweet inquisitive look on her face, like she wanted to come closer but was just too shy. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honey’s coloring is yellow dun with a bi-colored mane, dorsal stripe, and zebra stripes on all four legs; all characteristics unique to Spanish mustangs. She was born with black tipped ears too, another Spanish trait, but shortly after her birth the winter was so cold that her ears were frost bitten and the black tips fell off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I respected her space. I liked talking to her and I think she liked it too. I could see it in her eyes. I decided to call her Honey for her coloring and sweet disposition.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2010 I entered my first photo contest ever. It was an international photo contest through the Equine Photographers Network. I chose a picture of Honey taken on a cold December morning. I received an honorable mention award in the category of “Head Study.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the real prize was captured within the photo its self. I was photographing her and talking to her (like always), telling her how beautiful she is. She nickered back to me and I caught it in my shot. You can see the expression of her nicker on her nose. Its a present just for me, and I will cherish it for all of my days</span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-60449921602045812572012-05-02T07:51:00.000-07:002012-05-04T10:48:55.228-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Saddest Goodbye</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have put off writing this entry since February. My deep sadness wouldn’t let me speak, but now its time.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my entry titled “Inspired by Simone,” I briefly mentioned an animal cruelty case the Montana Horse Sanctuary assisted the Sheriff with. These eight horses lived together for years, enduring endless hardships at the hand of Lisa Cano. This was her second offense with animal cruelty.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Horses have a deep sense of family bonds in their herds. They love each other just like you and I love our family, and these eight horses cared for each other; all they had was each other. Once seized, and rehabilitated their bonds would soon be broken. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/26/11 Intake photo. Jane Heath, Executive Director of Montana Horse Sanctuary, and Annie. She was so malnourished that she couldn't produce milk for her baby.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the mares, Annie, had a superb bloodline in racing. Bloodlines mean more in breeding and horse racing than the welfare of the horse. Horses like Annie are continually bred back to back for their profitable offspring. When the offspring doesn’t win enough money/races, off to slaughter they go. Many race horses are slaughtered before the age of five.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Annie came to the sanctuary with her little colt named Auggie. He was so tiny and malnourished, but sweet as can be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11/01/11 Auggie and Annie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over nearly six months, I watched him change. He gained strength, romping and playing and his curiosity was sweet. During this time the animal cruelty case against Cano was being built, and just when everything seemed to be going in favor of the horses, a bomb was dropped. Apparently Cano had signed over ownership of Annie and Auggie to a man days before the seize; and the man was adamant about getting Annie and Auggie back, even though the horses were not fully rehabilitated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12/19/12 Annie and Auggie</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was like a sucker punch in the gut that took my breath away with the blow of the news, Annie and Auggie were to be returned to this man, a breeder who knew that Cano wasn’t taking care of the horses. Again, the big issue was money and bloodlines. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">01/22/12 Auggie's first taste of snow. He licked that for half hour!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone at the sanctuary was devastated. I cried off and on for days, even now the salt hits my face thinking about Annie and Auggie. Where is the justice? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will never forget the soft nose kisses Auggie gave me daily. I pray that Annie and Auggie will be alright, but my inner self tells me otherwise. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss them so much.</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-22352925925352231752012-04-25T09:20:00.000-07:002012-04-25T11:28:27.398-07:00Mustang Monument<br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2009, a few weeks after I was laid off from my job, I went to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs, South Dakota. A strong feeling of unexplainable</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> urgency </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">came over me, telling me I had to make the trip; a now or never feeling.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the first picture I took of wild horses in the Black Hills</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Painted Desert, a gorgeous Medicine Hat Stallion</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went on a three hour tour of the sanctuary and I haven’t been the same since. I wept as I drove down the three mile driveway back to the main road and to my hotel. The experience of photographing mustangs for the first time was so profound. My tears were for a kind of love I had never felt before, a love so beautiful that I still struggle to put it into words.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last picture of the tour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These Spanish mustangs stole my heart like a thief in the night.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since that first trip I have been obsessed with finding a way back into the world of mustangs, and how I could become a working advocate for wild horses. I have been working on my degree, while sharpening my photography skills on the side. I finally have some hope for the future thanks to Madeline Pickens.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Madeline has been working tirelessly for the last seven years to start an eco-sanctuary, Mustang Monument, for wild horses. Pickens was finally approved by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) on April 19th, 2012. According to the approved plan, the BLM will maintain ownership of the wild horses. They will be allowed to graze on the public land as long as Pickens maintains the land, water wells and fencing on the property and manages the horses. The BLM will provide some financial support to Pickens’ eco-sanctuary, approximately the same amount of money it costs to keep the wild horses in holding pens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image courtesy of Mark Terrell & taken at Mustang Monument</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wildhorsesofnevadaphoto.com/">Wild Horse of Nevada Photography</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mustang Monument is a 14,000-acre ranch south of Wells in northeastern Nevada. The horses will graze on 530,000 acres of BLM land instead of being corralled in government holding facilities or sold at auctions for slaughter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to acknowledge and give a special thanks to Mark Terrell for the use of his photographs. Mark gives wild horse tours in Nevada, sharing his love of mustangs with others. I hope I get to meet him someday at Mustang Monument.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image courtesy of Mark Terrell & taken at Mustang Monument </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wildhorsesofnevadaphoto.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wild Horse of Nevada Photography</span></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pickens’ plan will not only protect the wild horses, it will also be open to the public so thousands of visitors each year can see the mustangs up close and learn about their contribution to the history of the western United States.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8fM0HaE73U/T5gbq60zxXI/AAAAAAAAASM/zZr5hbmL6BQ/s1600/2B0P8145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8fM0HaE73U/T5gbq60zxXI/AAAAAAAAASM/zZr5hbmL6BQ/s320/2B0P8145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image courtesy of Mark Terrell & taken at Mustang Monument </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.wildhorsesofnevadaphoto.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wild Horse of Nevada Photography</span></a></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have kept in touch with Madeline over this last year.</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am praying that I will be able to tap into this extraordinary opportunity and find employment. I want to be a tour guide and tell everyone about what a treasure wild horses are. I want to help with fundraising efforts and write programs for educational opportunities and grants. I even have plans to write a children’s book about horses. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray several times a day for my wish to come true. It is the only thing I want to do. I fear that many people will want to do the same thing and I will fall through the cracks. After being unemployed for so long I feel like an old mare that no one has use for but I keep praying. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmtHvN7DqUY/T5gdqdkp1SI/AAAAAAAAASk/AR2rHcgz6to/s1600/IMG_0910-Edit.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmtHvN7DqUY/T5gdqdkp1SI/AAAAAAAAASk/AR2rHcgz6to/s320/IMG_0910-Edit.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spanish Mustang Mares</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-46867076664731515272012-04-18T10:12:00.002-07:002012-04-18T10:15:43.081-07:00Inspired by Simone<div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On October 26th 2011, I met a filly named Simone. The Montana Horse Sanctuary was called in the by the Cascade County Sheriff in an animal cruelty case. Simone was one of eight Thoroughbred horses seized that day from a breeder named Lisa Cano. During the seize one dead horse was found on the back of Cano’s property in a ravine. There was also two dogs and six cats taken in the seizure. This was Cano’s second time to be charged with severe animal abuse/cruelty and neglect.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhgRO_18krc/T47rUWMDo3I/AAAAAAAAAQE/rzlvv9u66vc/s1600/_MG_6961-Edit.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhgRO_18krc/T47rUWMDo3I/AAAAAAAAAQE/rzlvv9u66vc/s320/_MG_6961-Edit.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simone's pug belly is due to parasites and malnutrition </span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simone, and a little colt named Auggie, were only about six months old when they came to the sanctuary. Both of their mothers had stopped producing milk due to severe dehydration </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> malnourishment from starvation. “They are the smallest babies I’ve ever seen,” says Jane Heath, the sanctuary’s founder and Executive Director.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pearl, Simone’s mother, had been wearing the same halter for so many years that she had outgrown it. The halter had to be cut off her face because it was too tight to unbuckle it. Pearl is seven years old and was used to race, in spite of having a heart murmur. Its amazing that she didn’t die in on the track.</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EROgEpjlDXM/T47rRadfMII/AAAAAAAAAP0/l9DeC5XWroc/s1600/_MG_6737.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EROgEpjlDXM/T47rRadfMII/AAAAAAAAAP0/l9DeC5XWroc/s1600/_MG_6737.SIG.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jane Heath, Executive Director of Montana Horse Sanctuary and Pearl. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can clearly see the indentation from the halter Pearl wore for many years.</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent the winter watching the horses get rehabbed mentally, nutritionally and physically. They were all so scared when they got to the sanctuary, and rightfully so, but eventually they all started to settle in. </span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After six months the horses have made a big turn around. Simone is a frisky, wild little bucking bronco now that she feels so good. She loves to romp and play-even when the other horses don’t want too. I like to call her a wild woman, firecracker, and twister when she plays; she’s such a live wire!</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXAOY-G-CdA/T47t-WfqBKI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/cHP_CNASauw/s1600/_MG_7285.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXAOY-G-CdA/T47t-WfqBKI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/cHP_CNASauw/s320/_MG_7285.SIG.jpg" width="169" /></a> </div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have grown a little attached to Simone. Luckily for me, she will stay with the Montana Horse Sanctuary for the next five years or so. She will grow up happy and healthy. When she is five years old she will go to a trainer named Jess Holloway in Bozeman, MT. Jane will not adopt out a horse that isn’t completely sound.</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--v1Ykb_pOuA/T47yeWm6J5I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/XcODxUNUV4E/s1600/_MG_7305-Edit.SIG..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--v1Ykb_pOuA/T47yeWm6J5I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/XcODxUNUV4E/s320/_MG_7305-Edit.SIG..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simone has the biggest, most beautiful eyes I've seen on a horse.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the next five years, I will continue to watch Simone grow and develop into a beautiful mare. I plan to document her journey and write a children's book about her. The message will be about animal cruelty, Simone’s successful turn around, and how animals feel (emotionally) and should be treated. The writing will be simple, soft, and effective. I plan to have my friend Diane Hausmann do the illustrations. Diane fostered Pearl and Simone, and just recently adopted Pearl.</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-llrIsffOqi8/T470rOyOR3I/AAAAAAAAARE/3eeoBkQ--Fk/s1600/_MG_7313-Edit.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-llrIsffOqi8/T470rOyOR3I/AAAAAAAAARE/3eeoBkQ--Fk/s320/_MG_7313-Edit.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simone and Pearl</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to taking classes that will help me write my book. Once its published, a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of my book will go to the Montana Horse Sanctuary to help other horses.</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sx6qceZIw7o/T472a-ITvRI/AAAAAAAAARM/6GbqiuJbuLQ/s1600/_MG_7300.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sx6qceZIw7o/T472a-ITvRI/AAAAAAAAARM/6GbqiuJbuLQ/s320/_MG_7300.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-61245492018895618212012-04-09T09:15:00.000-07:002012-04-09T09:15:58.000-07:00Its All in the Details<div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been a member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPNET), an international community of equine (horse) photographers, for three years. </span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EPNET provides “... numerous membership benefits including access to private forums and discussion groups, photo sharing, workshops, retreats, business resources and much more. The EPNet is ranked highly in the search engines, receives strong, relevant traffic and is listed on most of the major horse related websites.”</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I really enjoy about my membership is the monthly assignments/themes. The assignments are for fun and anyone in the network can participate and vote on the a pictures submitted. This month’s assignment is “details.” According to EPNET detail shots are “Close up detail studies of the horse: eyes, body parts, horse related gear and equipment also qualifies.”</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of my detail shots. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFCQfWm22VQ/T4MIFOPyuLI/AAAAAAAAAO8/D7QI7hm1U4o/s1600/IMG_0214.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFCQfWm22VQ/T4MIFOPyuLI/AAAAAAAAAO8/D7QI7hm1U4o/s320/IMG_0214.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upside Down Heart on a Quarter Horse Stallion</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Is7I4Nu2Xw/T4MIF03fJLI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W2HgPQgXfAU/s1600/IMG_0277.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Is7I4Nu2Xw/T4MIF03fJLI/AAAAAAAAAPM/W2HgPQgXfAU/s320/IMG_0277.SIG.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zebra Striped Legs Spanish Mustang Mare</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVhKWontxc8/T4MIIYh_JZI/AAAAAAAAAPs/THybDjMNIX0/s1600/_MG_5883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVhKWontxc8/T4MIIYh_JZI/AAAAAAAAAPs/THybDjMNIX0/s320/_MG_5883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dorsal Strip and Bicolored Tail Spanish Mustang Bachelor</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StXZtor0LqI/T4MIIGUKdmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Wwl4ijhserM/s1600/IMG_2677.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StXZtor0LqI/T4MIIGUKdmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/Wwl4ijhserM/s320/IMG_2677.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cold Wet Day Spanish Mustang Mare</span></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dK1OlHj-xxQ/T4MIFQCiZgI/AAAAAAAAAPE/V12ku-nHIqQ/s1600/IMG_0254.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dK1OlHj-xxQ/T4MIFQCiZgI/AAAAAAAAAPE/V12ku-nHIqQ/s320/IMG_0254.SIG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bicolored Mane Spanish Mustang Mare</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWcLI5sjx5g/T4MIIEc0VxI/AAAAAAAAAPY/q8_BrLnK9Zs/s1600/IMG_2668.SIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWcLI5sjx5g/T4MIIEc0VxI/AAAAAAAAAPY/q8_BrLnK9Zs/s320/IMG_2668.SIG.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tail Accent Bachelor Mustang</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-65212360221051010132012-04-02T08:23:00.004-07:002012-04-24T10:52:28.302-07:00The Equine Photographers Network's Annual Photo Contest<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been a member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPNET) for three years. Here’s part of their mission statement:</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Our mission is to encourage professional integrity and career development through education, communication and mutual support, while promoting our members in numerous markets.” <span class="s2"><a href="http://www.equinephotographers.org/mission.php">http://www.equinephotographers.org/mission.php</a></span></span></span></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">EPNET has an annual “Equine Ideal Photo Contest” and the contest is open to the public. </span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2011 I entered a photo called “December’s Honey.” It was the first time I have ever entered a contest before. I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. When EPNET sent out an email notification on the winners last year, I deleted the email. After seeing all the entries I was sure there was no way I could have placed. A few days later I received a Facebook message from Bev Pettit, a professional photographer who’s work I really admired, congratulated me on my win. I was confused, but sure enough I received an honorable mention for my image. I was ecstatic at the news, but mostly because I found out through Bev Pettit; we hadn’t even met in person yet.</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Head Study</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z80e2CKPAr0/T3m6YBccoSI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Xkf37fy06zk/s1600/IMG_3309Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z80e2CKPAr0/T3m6YBccoSI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Xkf37fy06zk/s320/IMG_3309Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decembers Honey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honorable Mention Award </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the Category of Head Study</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2011.asp?cat_id=105">http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2011.asp?cat_id=105</a></span><br />
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</div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this years contest I finally had a body of work I was pretty happy with and decided to go for it entering six categories:</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black and White</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZcsXyAg2Ag/T3m6X2OboEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Lk7gg2719pg/s1600/IMG_2647..SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZcsXyAg2Ag/T3m6X2OboEI/AAAAAAAAAOE/Lk7gg2719pg/s320/IMG_2647..SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bachelors</span> </div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Details </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIkAnkXhNmo/T3m6ZBWff3I/AAAAAAAAAOk/niMs3fA-kLQ/s1600/_MG_6329-Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIkAnkXhNmo/T3m6ZBWff3I/AAAAAAAAAOk/niMs3fA-kLQ/s320/_MG_6329-Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eye of the Beholder</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Details 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=129" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=129</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extreme Action </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4NXJMgBPMA/T3m6YQiN4-I/AAAAAAAAAOU/6CDm7gkHnuA/s1600/_MG_4297.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4NXJMgBPMA/T3m6YQiN4-I/AAAAAAAAAOU/6CDm7gkHnuA/s320/_MG_4297.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snow Dash</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Extreme Action 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=126" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="s3">http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=126</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Head Study </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uYZ_AqJqfs/T3m6WydhINI/AAAAAAAAAN0/p_glHbT2stE/s1600/IMG_0917.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uYZ_AqJqfs/T3m6WydhINI/AAAAAAAAAN0/p_glHbT2stE/s320/IMG_0917.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sisterhood</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Horse and Human Portrait</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_yLDiPPoBg/T3m6Y49EbII/AAAAAAAAAOc/6sS763BqPXQ/s1600/_MG_4432.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_yLDiPPoBg/T3m6Y49EbII/AAAAAAAAAOc/6sS763BqPXQ/s320/_MG_4432.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eddy and the Boys</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honorable Mention Award in the Category of Horse and Human Portrait 2011</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=123" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="s3">http://www.equinephotocontest.com/winners2012.asp?cat_id=123</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wild Horse</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1E_9SDpD3bI/T3m6WgUAd7I/AAAAAAAAANs/ijlhGD60E0o/s1600/1335-Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1E_9SDpD3bI/T3m6WgUAd7I/AAAAAAAAANs/ijlhGD60E0o/s320/1335-Edit.SIG.72px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tranquility</span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m happy and disappointed all at the same time. I’m thrilled that three of my images received a mention, but I’m a little bummed that I didn’t place better. The perfectionist in me is such a torturist. Its so hard for me to focus on the good, four out of seven of my images received recognition in the last two years, but instead I think what can I do better next time? What was wrong with the three images that didn’t place? Hopefully my speculation will relax when I receive my awards in the mail.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to see more of my photos please visit my website </span><a href="http://www.kimmichels.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">www.KimMichels.com</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-41809065440346949102012-03-26T09:34:00.001-07:002012-04-07T09:03:08.999-07:00Made in Montana<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since February, Montana Horse Sanctuary has been preparing for the annual “Made in Montana” trade show. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The Made in Montana Program is part of the International Trade & Relations Bureau in the Business Resources Division of the Montana Department of Commerce. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana components, helps build recognition for products that are "authentically" Montana. That means they are grown, created, made, and/or enhanced in the state resulting in 50% or more added-value. The program requires that individuals and businesses meet the program's value-added definition to utilize the trademarked image on their qualifying products.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="s2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.madeinmontanausa.com/About.asp">http://www.madeinmontanausa.com/About.asp</a></span></div><div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQB94X2r0Mw/T3CXHJh9ihI/AAAAAAAAAMo/0zbeILvEOq0/s1600/_MG_8272-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQB94X2r0Mw/T3CXHJh9ihI/AAAAAAAAAMo/0zbeILvEOq0/s320/_MG_8272-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p4"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sanctuary’s booth was primarily there to get the word out to the public about the turmoil many horses face through out the state. In addition to the message of horses in need, we had a few items to sell too. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have beautiful notecards of the sanctuary horses thanks to three artists, John Ashley, Diane Hausmann, and myself, who donated their photography and artwork to the sanctuary to have beautiful notecards made up. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XDwhqGxFlJI/T3CXGmmJIrI/AAAAAAAAAMg/xb9n-hpvs2k/s1600/_MG_8270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XDwhqGxFlJI/T3CXGmmJIrI/AAAAAAAAAMg/xb9n-hpvs2k/s320/_MG_8270.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I introduced another artist, Deb Little, to the sanctuary. Deb is a professional photographer and makes tile pendants with photos into jewelry. Her work is incredible. The pendants were a big hit at the show.</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shPj_6Vc3so/T3CXrIrlVBI/AAAAAAAAANQ/sj1pjkFGVNM/s1600/_MG_8188-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shPj_6Vc3so/T3CXrIrlVBI/AAAAAAAAANQ/sj1pjkFGVNM/s320/_MG_8188-Edit.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">The sanctuary also sells caps, t-shirts, and pins with their stunning logo “</span><span class="s3">Chasing the Sun” by Idaho artist Janene Grende. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s3"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p5"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmyoUkUrsQ/T3CXGRLaX6I/AAAAAAAAAMY/k1e2Y7ET6CU/s1600/_MG_8266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFmyoUkUrsQ/T3CXGRLaX6I/AAAAAAAAAMY/k1e2Y7ET6CU/s320/_MG_8266.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="p5"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s also a license plate dedicated to the sanctuary using Grende’s artwork. In April I will become a Montana resident. I can't wait to get this license plate on my truck!</span></span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lxxg8bNWKQ/T3CYBtLEgqI/AAAAAAAAANY/gp9CejDvn6M/s1600/License+plate+JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lxxg8bNWKQ/T3CYBtLEgqI/AAAAAAAAANY/gp9CejDvn6M/s320/License+plate+JPEG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="p5"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p6"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">“Each time a Montana resident purchases or renews a Sanctuary plate for their vehicle, $20 goes directly to the Sanctuary's horse care and expansion fund. This allows us to provide shelter and rehabilitation for more horses.”</span><span class="s4"> </span></span></div><div class="p7"><span class="s5"><a href="http://www.montanahorsesanctuary.org/licenseplate.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.montanahorsesanctuary.org/licenseplate.html</span></a></span></div><div class="p8"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so rewarding to be at the show. Many people approached us in our booth asking how they could help and three people let us know that they are leaving the estate to Montana Horse Sanctuary. We also received endless thanks for the work Montana Horse Sanctuary does for horses.</span></span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfuCT1mmsvA/T3CXHYOkAzI/AAAAAAAAAMw/11WHTqWbr9M/s1600/_MG_8277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EfuCT1mmsvA/T3CXHYOkAzI/AAAAAAAAAMw/11WHTqWbr9M/s320/_MG_8277.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this picture, Jane Heath (Executive Director of the sanctuary) and Montana artist Diane Hausmann. </span></div><div class="p6"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-39696156374127059972012-03-16T15:37:00.000-07:002012-03-16T15:37:52.444-07:00Chasing Rainbows<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent last summer taking care of Bev Pettit’s five horses in Skull Valley, Arizona, just south of Prescott. Bev is an international award winning photographer from Minnesota with jaw dropping credentials and a body of work I never grow tired of. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ2Vj-qRbwQ/T2O66xPhrbI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2ncDZxUJZLE/s1600/_MG_5427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ2Vj-qRbwQ/T2O66xPhrbI/AAAAAAAAAKg/2ncDZxUJZLE/s320/_MG_5427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Granite Mountain </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bev’s ranch was eight miles back into the mountains and her property bordered the Prescott National Forrest, facing Granite Mountain.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blNp3sAuBNs/T2O8UZelevI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Vnk3HRx43iM/s1600/_MG_4997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blNp3sAuBNs/T2O8UZelevI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Vnk3HRx43iM/s320/_MG_4997.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monsoon cloud over Granite Mountain</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I went to Skull Valley I had heard about the monsoon season and how much the Arizonian's looked forward to it. People would talk to me about the monsoon season, their eyes lighting up as if they were watching fireworks or something. I was told the monsoon skies are some of the most beautiful in the world.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmzgtBWKXhI/T2O8pEcHMhI/AAAAAAAAAKw/LYtuU-MMGCI/s1600/_MG_5422-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmzgtBWKXhI/T2O8pEcHMhI/AAAAAAAAAKw/LYtuU-MMGCI/s320/_MG_5422-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This rainbow was so bright that it reflected like neon on my truck window.</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">One night while I was doing chores, there were monsoons rolling through the sky. I brought my camera with me to the barn. I didn’t want to miss out on any good photo op’s, and I was not disappointed.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWZuBfc6TS4/T2O9ELc4g7I/AAAAAAAAAK4/cx2UFtoP7Bw/s1600/_MG_5486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWZuBfc6TS4/T2O9ELc4g7I/AAAAAAAAAK4/cx2UFtoP7Bw/s320/_MG_5486.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This double rainbow was so big I couldn't fit it in my lens</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxASLn9d84I/T2O9E1T31CI/AAAAAAAAALA/Tin7zFEh3FY/s1600/_MG_5487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxASLn9d84I/T2O9E1T31CI/AAAAAAAAALA/Tin7zFEh3FY/s320/_MG_5487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div><div class="p2">It typically took me an hour to take care of everything with the barn and horses, but that night it took me three hours to get everything done. I kept stopping to watch the skies and ended up chasing three rainbows that night. I had never seen so many vivid rainbows before and all at once! I kept running back and forth on the ranch from one corner to another capturing the ever changing skies. </div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9HNjdD9xDE/T2O9f6GLRTI/AAAAAAAAALQ/_EzFTd_EDQs/s1600/_MG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9HNjdD9xDE/T2O9f6GLRTI/AAAAAAAAALQ/_EzFTd_EDQs/s320/_MG_5507.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view of Granite Mountain</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1T_mXTGmqY8/T2O93g5q-YI/AAAAAAAAALg/lxWRMMNm8L4/s1600/_MG_5441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1T_mXTGmqY8/T2O93g5q-YI/AAAAAAAAALg/lxWRMMNm8L4/s320/_MG_5441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4qqaIe5RG4/T2O93Uh1RsI/AAAAAAAAALY/iIPdSQgZuzg/s1600/_MG_5438-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4qqaIe5RG4/T2O93Uh1RsI/AAAAAAAAALY/iIPdSQgZuzg/s320/_MG_5438-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This rainbow was literally miles long and lastest for just over two hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MXi1sTzbB8M/T2O-YlD-VXI/AAAAAAAAALo/DHjC2bUmpgE/s1600/_MG_5442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MXi1sTzbB8M/T2O-YlD-VXI/AAAAAAAAALo/DHjC2bUmpgE/s320/_MG_5442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I chased this rainbow until there was nothing left of it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAsJKALAcXM/T2O-ZAPbBAI/AAAAAAAAALs/wrYK9F8Pgko/s1600/_MG_5443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAsJKALAcXM/T2O-ZAPbBAI/AAAAAAAAALs/wrYK9F8Pgko/s320/_MG_5443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was so surreal, I didn't want it to end.</div><br />
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</div><div class="p2">The rainbows got pushed aside by a huge fuchsia monsoon. The thunder that accompanied it, was a slow rumbling boom that echoed through the mountains of the national forest. It was a pure photographic ecstasy for me to witness. I can still hear the echo in my head.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rx16GzFuYEM/T2O_FbMiMlI/AAAAAAAAAMA/JTJ-AkPpdZs/s1600/_MG_5417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rx16GzFuYEM/T2O_FbMiMlI/AAAAAAAAAMA/JTJ-AkPpdZs/s320/_MG_5417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course, my blog entry would not be complete with out an equine image. Miss you girl!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hYPfUySSL4/T2PAiuOCXGI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IdfaHLxC5r0/s1600/_MG_5502+copy-2-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hYPfUySSL4/T2PAiuOCXGI/AAAAAAAAAMI/IdfaHLxC5r0/s320/_MG_5502+copy-2-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-86695193695579393132012-02-24T09:14:00.000-08:002012-02-24T09:14:31.932-08:00My Boy Coy<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The work week came to a slow stop Saturday afternoon. At last, my homework was done, the evening was all mine and I was finally alone. For the first time in two weeks I picked up my lens and headed out the door to catch the best light of the evening. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I manage to snake my way through all the gates of the corrals, before opening the big gate on the cobble stone fence line that separates the mustangs from the domestic geldings. Its so dry out here in California, the grass is a flaxen gold color where it once was green. The paprika colored dirt kicked up from boots hangs in the air like fine powder. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bonded with six stallions of all ages and colors. They approach me, they smell me and nuzzle my hair! But the ultimate acceptance for me is the request of my breath. I blow my warm breath to their nostrils as they inhale deep. The Native Americans did this with their horses to show them partnership. I lovingly gave them nicknames based on their personality and their looks. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbgWMrOlV_o/T0fD--J6HmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jj07xVitDQQ/s1600/_MG_5701-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbgWMrOlV_o/T0fD--J6HmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jj07xVitDQQ/s320/_MG_5701-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">One young roan (color) stallion, around three years old, courted me. He slowly sniffed my footsteps and zig zagged toward me. He was to timid to come in for a closer look, but walked on by. I held his gaze and talked to him the entire time. </span>I decided to call him Coy because of the way he courted me.</span></div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_cx8qBhE_I/T0fEMg-nALI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KjrqWudHp7s/s1600/_MG_5705-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_cx8qBhE_I/T0fEMg-nALI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KjrqWudHp7s/s320/_MG_5705-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">Coy runs with band of two bachelors, he is too young and inexperienced to have a herd mares for himself. I call the bachelors Buck and Antonio; they weren’t afraid of me, in fact they seemed to welcome me with their perked ears. </span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTLzL92OJU/T0fEYBTKniI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/4mCxfcsD1pU/s1600/_MG_5713-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTLzL92OJU/T0fEYBTKniI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/4mCxfcsD1pU/s320/_MG_5713-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
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<div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">I embraced the moment like deep breath in of fresh mountain air after a rain and etched the details in my memory as I hiked through the sanctuary hills. In the distance I could here the soft rustle of leaves and occasional crack of a branch. I stood with camera aimed towards the sound when out came a Palomino bachelor following the sunset. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybOMGQk-QOA/T0fEhmq85OI/AAAAAAAAAKE/t1WeHIKu1ec/s1600/_MG_5864-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ybOMGQk-QOA/T0fEhmq85OI/AAAAAAAAAKE/t1WeHIKu1ec/s320/_MG_5864-Edit-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">I couldn’t resist a shot of this Paint with the setting sunbeams that looked like a laser fence.</span></span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eebgiTZ9w3U/T0fEx-E606I/AAAAAAAAAKM/fv9FqkjB0xQ/s1600/_MG_5878-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eebgiTZ9w3U/T0fEx-E606I/AAAAAAAAAKM/fv9FqkjB0xQ/s320/_MG_5878-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A perfect evening that will stay with me for years to come. </span></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><br />
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</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-19959937037275700672012-02-22T07:05:00.000-08:002012-02-22T07:05:48.491-08:00Tico and Timo<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine for moment a young boy sleeping. The boy can only sleep once complete exhaustion has taken over the fear, loneliness, pain and survival instinct that only an abused child knows. As the boy sleeps he begins to dream. The dream is a retreat for the mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Out across the sky an angel is on his way, flying through the night sky with beauty and grace. The boy is gently awakened to the sound of a nicker. The angel is a bay horse with a five point star on his forehead. The boy carefully eases onto the winged horse’s back. The winged horse whinnies softly as if to say are you ready to go?, and they are off into the night soaring across the sky; climbing higher and higher-far away from the house that is not a home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boy has this same recurring dream over and over for years to come. His love for horses grew right along with him. At age 15, the boy, now a young man, leaves home with a broken jaw and two stab wounds vowing never to return again. The young man’s name is Tim Harvey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2001 Harvey adopted two mares and one stallion from the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Sulphur Springs Herd located in Utah. The horses were shipped to a BLM holding facility in Tennessee. Tim had already paid for his horses and was getting ready to head home when Kathy Malloy stopped Tim and asked him to come and look at a young stallion. The yearling had been adopted by a family who changed their minds and didn’t want him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two year old was in a paddock all alone and, as Harvey rounded the corner, he came face to face with the exact horse he had dreamed of as a child, a beautiful blood bay with a five point star on his forehead. This surreal horse stopped Tim dead in his tracks, he couldn’t believe his eyes. The yearling, Tico, was loaded up with other the mustangs heading for their new home in New Hampshire.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGlazin3K94/T0T_C4ghorI/AAAAAAAAAI0/ie69n1yzjbc/s1600/Mark+Rashid+clinic+May+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGlazin3K94/T0T_C4ghorI/AAAAAAAAAI0/ie69n1yzjbc/s320/Mark+Rashid+clinic+May+120.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image provided by Tim Harvey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tico was used as a stallion until he was six years old and sired many babies. Tico was gelded and Tim worked with Tico extensively. Tico was truly afraid and wanted nothing to do with people. Harvey understood fear and was ok with Tico taking his time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In September 2005 Tim and Tico started working with Mark Rashid. The two men became fast friends and maintain a close relationship to this day. Tim and Tico went to Florida the following winter in February to work further with Mark. Harvey signed up for a series of three different, three-day clinics.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaAK4GRygcU/T0T_hNPeOoI/AAAAAAAAAI8/kjsdBK57u4Y/s1600/100_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaAK4GRygcU/T0T_hNPeOoI/AAAAAAAAAI8/kjsdBK57u4Y/s320/100_1355.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image provided by Tim Harvey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rashid’s book “A Life with Horses: The Spirit of the Work,” recounts the first time he met Tico and some of the progress Tim and Tico made together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim and Tico continued to work together for co-existence. Tim took Tico trail riding on a regular basis. Tico was even in a hometown parade on the fourth of July. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Tico’s training advanced nicely” Tim states, “when suddenly Tico starting having blow-ups.” Tico just never quite settled into his domestic life style in spite of the bond he shared with Tim. Tim shared with me that he felt Tico’s spirit was fading, he could see it in Tico’s eyes and made the decision to let Tico go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYYFTADz0vg/T0UAIXN8VFI/AAAAAAAAAJE/y8cCgoRed-0/s1600/100_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYYFTADz0vg/T0UAIXN8VFI/AAAAAAAAAJE/y8cCgoRed-0/s320/100_1968.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image provided by Tim Harvey</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In May of 2010 Tico came to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Tico has been returned to the wild to live out his days, protected and free from any possibility of being rounded up again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark Rashid stopped by the sanctuary to see Tico. I took him up to Tico's pasture. Mark said Tico looked like a completely different horse, so relaxed rather than muscles tensed, with his head held high and eyes wide. He was happy to see Tico looking so good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NckIDf-aq10/T0UBcW840zI/AAAAAAAAAJM/636MvfTDq3A/s1600/IMG_1489-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NckIDf-aq10/T0UBcW840zI/AAAAAAAAAJM/636MvfTDq3A/s320/IMG_1489-Edit-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark has completed his first novel “Out of the Wild” in which Tico is the fictional character. Mark also shared with me that he has another book in the works that will have a chapter about Tim and Tico.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tico has a beautiful herd of 14 Spanish mares.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwO5j41E8E/T0UCMhVua0I/AAAAAAAAAJc/5Ljm2wMrjHc/s1600/IMG_1721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XwO5j41E8E/T0UCMhVua0I/AAAAAAAAAJc/5Ljm2wMrjHc/s320/IMG_1721.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a new baby from a mare that came in pregnant. On the morning this image was taken I witnessed Tico gently nudging the new baby colt along with the rest of his mares. It was so amazing and beautiful. Tico has taken on the role of proud papa so naturally and yet he has never had a baby in a herd setting before.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-4C53hOt7U/T0UCdxMwubI/AAAAAAAAAJk/dSiIz0oAh3o/s1600/IMG_1282-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-4C53hOt7U/T0UCdxMwubI/AAAAAAAAAJk/dSiIz0oAh3o/s320/IMG_1282-Edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-73125232880939553912012-02-12T08:56:00.000-08:002012-02-12T08:56:46.501-08:00Mouths to Feed<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was asked by two ranch hands, Dan and Walter, to do a photo shoot of feeding sanctuary mustangs in a snow storm. How could I resist! </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDtoy0ev5W4/TzfpC1obXsI/AAAAAAAAAII/wx8NNh8f6Y4/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KDtoy0ev5W4/TzfpC1obXsI/AAAAAAAAAII/wx8NNh8f6Y4/s320/DSC_0109.jpg" width="212" /></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pre-Snow Picture courtesy of Walter Westberg</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture above shows the majority of hay the sanctuary will feed over the winter months. Because winter can be so unpredictable, its not unusual to run out of hay before spring.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RADdzxvNRG8/TzfmNf3zKGI/AAAAAAAAAHw/DwLLFSnsxx0/s1600/_MG_4167-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RADdzxvNRG8/TzfmNf3zKGI/AAAAAAAAAHw/DwLLFSnsxx0/s320/_MG_4167-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sanctuary feeds hay to 300+ horses no matter how biting the weather is. Here's a look at feeding in a blizzard.</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohnxL-Lfp0A/TzfmYSN8SpI/AAAAAAAAAH4/H-g-HCBtJh0/s1600/_MG_4297-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohnxL-Lfp0A/TzfmYSN8SpI/AAAAAAAAAH4/H-g-HCBtJh0/s320/_MG_4297-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sanctuary purchased a new grader this year for the ranch hands to use. Having a grader enables them to plow their way out to the mustangs with hay no matter how pounded with snow the winter months may be.</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrFW1enolM8/TzfmkGXPfaI/AAAAAAAAAIA/X4VEjX4CqzU/s1600/_MG_4288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrFW1enolM8/TzfmkGXPfaI/AAAAAAAAAIA/X4VEjX4CqzU/s320/_MG_4288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan plowed a path out to the horses and Walter followed behind with a load of 11 hay bales. </span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs2IV44G1tc/TzfpaCTGX5I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Ndi1uI1w_V4/s1600/_MG_4209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs2IV44G1tc/TzfpaCTGX5I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/Ndi1uI1w_V4/s320/_MG_4209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The average hay consumption is 30 bales a week. The bales weigh 1200 pounds each- that's 36,000 pounds of hay!</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STXixddEIhI/TzfpjBoQjwI/AAAAAAAAAIY/s5Urub2M8u4/s1600/_MG_4248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STXixddEIhI/TzfpjBoQjwI/AAAAAAAAAIY/s5Urub2M8u4/s320/_MG_4248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The price of hay continues to skyrocket annually. This round’s price tag is $125.00 a bale, thats $3750.00 a week during the winter months. </span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVi5hCzMBcM/Tzfps6V0SaI/AAAAAAAAAIg/TSPrd1Q_cI8/s1600/_MG_4264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVi5hCzMBcM/Tzfps6V0SaI/AAAAAAAAAIg/TSPrd1Q_cI8/s320/_MG_4264.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Sanctuaries and rescue operations rely on donations to feed their horses and other animals that have been rescued. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to help feed the horses, Click here for <a href="https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1004537&uniqueID=634589623861669685" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Montana Horse Sanctuary's Donate Page</span></a></span>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-48114728263914440622012-02-05T08:09:00.000-08:002012-02-05T08:09:17.960-08:00Remembering Matt<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last summer I took a drive to Kirkland, Arizona. I was given the pleasure of being invited to the Viterbo ranch, one of the most beautiful ranches I have ever seen. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IB2so1JfmGo/Ty6onVyR2oI/AAAAAAAAAHA/iQpts02b5sg/s1600/_MG_4282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IB2so1JfmGo/Ty6onVyR2oI/AAAAAAAAAHA/iQpts02b5sg/s320/_MG_4282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I met a young man named Eddy, who took me back to the days of my youth and memories of my good friend Matt. The two are complete carbon copies of each other. Matt and I first met in kindergarten and lost track of each other around age 15. We shared a love for horses and rode together often. Matt would even come out to my house to pick up me and my horse for horse shows. There was such joy, laughter and silliness between us at shows its amazing that we placed high in our events and got ribbons for being total goofballs. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkLTxEE-kQo/Ty6onwmdBXI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ZFj8oN72Lzg/s1600/_MG_4351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkLTxEE-kQo/Ty6onwmdBXI/AAAAAAAAAHI/ZFj8oN72Lzg/s320/_MG_4351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>My attention span jumped like static as I looked through my lens. My eyes were delusive as I focused in on Eddy. I kept envisioning Matt in my mind and now standing before me for the first time in 25 years; his animated voice and belly laugh echoed through my mind. My imagination stirred with nostalgic short films of times we spent together. </span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6PG0G9TfUk/Ty6ooA_8xUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/27buwe6kvvg/s1600/_MG_4374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6PG0G9TfUk/Ty6ooA_8xUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/27buwe6kvvg/s320/_MG_4374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>I photographed Eddy with his three horses Chocolate, Fancy and Frosty for five hours on that warm day. I didn’t want it to end. I imprisoned my emotions and yearning to be close to Eddy and the illusion of being close to Matt again. I now have a library of images sprinkled with sweet reflections of a dear friend.</span></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcwSxtQGoIo/Ty6oodWM6CI/AAAAAAAAAHY/rx0whJ7FdWA/s1600/_MG_4432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcwSxtQGoIo/Ty6oodWM6CI/AAAAAAAAAHY/rx0whJ7FdWA/s320/_MG_4432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-66369758223422839522012-01-30T11:42:00.000-08:002012-01-30T11:42:05.632-08:00My Drive to Work<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday when I drive to the sanctuary and on my way home, I take in the landscape like a deep breath of fresh air. I study the view looking for photo opp’s, dreaming out compositions in my mind and patiently waiting for just the right light, skyscapes and clouds to develop. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZZhwURFTVU/Tybt5G_F2cI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/8k0eR8CdYoQ/s1600/_MG_7469-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZZhwURFTVU/Tybt5G_F2cI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/8k0eR8CdYoQ/s320/_MG_7469-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The valleys are golden with antelope, black angus cows and deer. They look like freckles sprinkled through the hillside. I wish I had a stronger lens to capture the details of their beauty. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzKFiM8Ml4g/TybukqS1Z6I/AAAAAAAAAGY/6QeySnaPf4U/s1600/_MG_7101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzKFiM8Ml4g/TybukqS1Z6I/AAAAAAAAAGY/6QeySnaPf4U/s320/_MG_7101.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The driveway to the sanctuary is a mile long and filled with critters. I drive by the sheep and straight out are the horses that call the sanctuary home.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rPu-sf8LBA/TybvEKsz3gI/AAAAAAAAAGg/OEv48CfP6pM/s1600/_MG_6856-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rPu-sf8LBA/TybvEKsz3gI/AAAAAAAAAGg/OEv48CfP6pM/s320/_MG_6856-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1z3qPGiReE/TybvS_8LRcI/AAAAAAAAAGo/K5ENsG7Cn-I/s1600/_MG_6852-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1z3qPGiReE/TybvS_8LRcI/AAAAAAAAAGo/K5ENsG7Cn-I/s320/_MG_6852-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Theres no mail delivery where I live. Its too rural and roads have a speed limit of 70mph. I stop to pick up my mail at the post office on my way home. One day I ran into a well known local named Henry with his dog Puck; they go everywhere together on Henry’s four wheeler. Doesn’t every small town have local a legend like this?</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6PeRuHIDWs/TybvdUBPCxI/AAAAAAAAAGw/m3wRSOFLenc/s1600/_MG_6851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6PeRuHIDWs/TybvdUBPCxI/AAAAAAAAAGw/m3wRSOFLenc/s320/_MG_6851.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy reflecting on the day filled with the gratitude I have for being in Montana, while scoping out the skies for sunset shots on my way home.</span></div><div class="p1"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUEC3zKkTmg/Tybvu-16liI/AAAAAAAAAG4/NOjazgPJ8c4/s1600/_MG_7107-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUEC3zKkTmg/Tybvu-16liI/AAAAAAAAAG4/NOjazgPJ8c4/s320/_MG_7107-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2818545368405357085.post-2416826699431440852012-01-22T07:41:00.000-08:002012-01-22T07:41:47.012-08:00Angel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdrrvLLuYDU/Txwqghsbc2I/AAAAAAAAAFo/_LEULTcFsFA/s1600/IMG_3646-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdrrvLLuYDU/Txwqghsbc2I/AAAAAAAAAFo/_LEULTcFsFA/s320/IMG_3646-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="p1"><span class="s1">On a chilly morning, a young soul made her way down from the high rim rock basin of the wild horse sanctuary. She strolled through a rickety old gate the gusty winds blew open the night before and into the bunkhouse yard like she had been there a thousand times before, where she peacefully grazed. An angel tapped me on the shoulder whispering softly, observe the moment for it is truly the gift of experience. </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hx_MfFYbxB8/Txwq-eKpp6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/kjOIfAAR_Tg/s1600/IMG_3509+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hx_MfFYbxB8/Txwq-eKpp6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/kjOIfAAR_Tg/s320/IMG_3509+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I poked my head out the door and there she was grazing quietly to her heart’s content. I listened intently while she snipped off blades of winter grass, each bite snapping, frozen from the crisp winter air. Keeping an eye on me, she didn’t seem to mind my curious amazement.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The air smelled fresh, expanding my lungs with each cool breath drawn in and out, hanging in the air like steam from a geyser. My eyes never felt wider than in her moment. I sketched details in my thoughts, the grey blue and pink winter sky, the slow ceremonious lighting of the sanctuary’s horizon. </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36gavIPRsT4/TxwrVbRG_7I/AAAAAAAAAF4/-FpOE-ITHqk/s1600/IMG_3514+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36gavIPRsT4/TxwrVbRG_7I/AAAAAAAAAF4/-FpOE-ITHqk/s320/IMG_3514+copy.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I floated on my toes towards the yearling, Canon in my grip. The meek filly, took two steps away from me, but was not afraid. I respected her wishes and kept my distance. Sitting back with my lens, I savored the moment, my soul soaring to a height of joy that was incomprehensible before this day; bottling the encounter to carry with me for the rest of my life.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_Mwy5Cd9NM/TxwrqtnwmYI/AAAAAAAAAGA/jQI8ddBtT7E/s1600/_MG_4123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n_Mwy5Cd9NM/TxwrqtnwmYI/AAAAAAAAAGA/jQI8ddBtT7E/s320/_MG_4123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A few hours later I received the news, my cousin was no longer in pain; cancer granted his freedom and sent him to a better place. Tears rolled down my face as I reflected on the serenity of the dawn and yet I couldn’t help but smile. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The filly that came calling that morning wasn’t just any filly, she had the markings of a tricolored Medicine Hat horse with two blue eyes, a treasure to the Native Americans. A Medicine Hat horse is believed to have special powers to protect its rider from injury or death in battle. Those with one or more blue eyes are especially prized.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUdHNnAux5E/TxwsE7FeRdI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_T6YD9Ta5kU/s1600/_MG_4336-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUdHNnAux5E/TxwsE7FeRdI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_T6YD9Ta5kU/s320/_MG_4336-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Was it a gentle nudge from above? Or a mere coincidence? You can draw your own conclusion; either way that young, wild filly came into my morning and soothed me on what would have been a sad beginning to my day. </span></div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Horses are inherent healers thanks to their intuitive nature. When in the presence of horses or mustangs, I can let my guard down and not worry about any awkward feelings I have about myself. Instead, I find an inner peace that begs for the right words to explain my emotions, something so beautiful that only the experience itself could make another understand. The tender touch of a nuzzle heals and soothes my entire being, like a warm gentle rain washing all doubts away.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A fellow photographer told me that photographing mustangs changes how you feel in your heart about all horses. Photographing mustangs has taught me to slow down and breathe in the essence of their beauty, grace, intimate herd dynamics, and a deeper respect for their freedom.</span></div><br />
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</span></div>Kim Michelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535274145009869943noreply@blogger.com1