HOME IS WHERE THE HORSE IS

You are missing an eye. The left. Socket punctuated by flies. A lingering of violence. Your flanks a ripe fruit of ticks. Drunk. I will not interfere in your communion. Nor be your feeding hand. Remember. That night by the road. Beneath a canopy of burnt trees. Johnny K. You scaled the shallow bank of grass. Onto the cleft road. Vulnerable as a lip. I smelt of return. You of breaking surf.

In the heart of South Africa's Overberg region, the wild horses of Rooisand navigate a unique and untamed ecosystem. With origins shrouded in mystery and lore, these resilient creatures have become an integral part of the estuarine landscape. Their presence carries ecological significance: their evolved hooves are uniquely adapted to the wet, marshy terrain, resistant to rot, and their dense coats shield them against the unforgiving Cape winters.
This ongoing series delves into the horses’ daily lives, capturing their interactions with the environment and the challenges they face. Despite threats from local traffic and human interference, they remain unencumbered by predators, existing as rare symbols of adaptation and survival. Through this series, I aim to explore their enduring connection to the land and their role within this fragile ecosystem, shedding light on the delicate balance between wildlife and human influence.
 
Shortlisted for the
Sony World Photography Awards ‘24
Featured by Daily MaverickWorld Press Photo