Forest Spirits

The Canadian wild horse, also known by the locals as The Alberta Wildie, is very tough and resilient. Roaming the expansive southeastern foothills since the mid-1700s, Wildies are an integral part of Alberta’s history and cultural identity. It's a long and complex story of how they got there and whether they should be considered wild or feral.

What most people overlook is how much the Wildies contributed to the foundation of Albertan society. Indigenous and new settlers will use this horse for transportation, wars, and even food. Since the second world war, the Wildie has been slaughtered by hunters, kill buyers, cattle ranchers, and reduced its numbers from hundreds of thousands to only 1300 that roam 2.2 million acres that compromise the Eastern Slopes of the Alberta Rocky Mountains.

Intrigued by this controversial story, I have dedicated my time to documenting the Alberta Wildie and its spirit to survive against all odds. Scars, loneliness, and elusive behavior are a big part of my work with them.