About- DayWithMyHorse Photography

The Reality
Krisco Kid was at his last stop before the “kill pen.” His 85 racing starts and career earnings of $141,884 did not keep him from being considered expendable. Now his life depended on someone in the small gathering of people at the auction to think he still had enough promise for them to raise their hand, but the sticker wasn’t helping. It meant “no Coggins”—a blood test many bidders require. Begin Again Horse Rescue recognized his contribution in life, as well as his promise. 50 bucks. Sold. Next?

The fact that this happens on a regular basis tells me I need to show the world the truth, beauty and enormous value I see in horses: The horse-human bond offers so many benefits over and above any performance or utility assigned to them. I want to increase the awareness of their gift with my creativity and camera.

The Challenge
The way I’ve experienced it, the oddly addictive challenge horses bring to humans comes from the fact they mirror the energy and emotions we hold around them whether we’re aware of those feelings or not, and whether we want to deny it or not. Horses also sense our intention or lack of it. This inner stuff is not typically easy for humans to stay on top of. But the more we overlook (or deny) this instinctual ability of horses as prey animals, the more we rely on our instinctual predator behavior (negative reinforcement) to gain control. The more we know and control ourselves, the easier we can build a trusting, positive relationship with a horse as they test and choose us as their herd leader.

Ask any horse owner you consider to be a good listener if a horse has taught him or her a thing or two about how to act and respond in other areas of their lives. The enormous benefits from a two-way respect between a horse and a human sadly remain a secret, both to horse owners to whom looking inside or listening to their horses feels foreign or ridiculous, and to the world at large. I believe that when this changes, “excess” horses won’t be slaughtered.

Horses’ positive effects on children and adults with physical, emotional and psychological challenges or wounds are well documented. I’d like everyone to experience such benefits and for that we’re going to need a lot of horses, so I donate a portion of all that I make in this work to their rescue and rehabilitation! In fact, I envision all medical personnel one day prescribing time spent with a horse for all children with autism and all victims of PTSD and depression!

My Experience
After rescuing a horse myself (before and after shots below) and being so positively affected by the experience of gaining his trust and nurturing his potential, I knew there are others who would love a way to preserve their own experiences and stories with their horses in a beautiful, tangible way. We spend so much time and energy with the horses we love, yet tend to forget to make sure we have something compelling and meaningful to honor it. So I offer an engaging, artful photographic reminder of your story together to enjoy for the rest of your life. I’ll capture the sweetest tries, talents, and the most telling and amusing expressions as I follow you and your horse like a fly on the wall, letting your connection reveal itself naturally to tell your unique story.

My passion for doing this work is supported by a degree in art, a love of photography, a long career as a graphic designer and photo editor, and an underlying belief that it’s the horses’ best interest that needs to determine the human approach in pursuit of any agenda with horses, not the other way around. I simply believe that anything else is short term thinking.

Because I’ve experienced the love, tears, intuition, hope, determination, guts and guessing that go into loving and training a horse, I know the little things to look for through my lens. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to honor the relationship you’ve built with your horse with some photographic images you’ll always treasure.

Thank You
The photo of Krisco Kid was taken by an inspirational equine photographer in the northeast by the name of Carien Schippers. She sent me her photo to share the story of what happens to horses when they outlive their “usefulness” or our capacity to care for them. Rescue organizations, typically operating on shoestring budgets, are their only hope (more stories and links below).

Michelle Twohig

P.S. I’ve listed a few equine rescue organizations below, each with many heart-warming stories. Perhaps you’ll find one that speaks to your heart and support them in memory of a horse you’ve loved:
Second Chance Ranch Elma, WA
Horse Rescue United Allentown, NJ
Angel Acres Lenville, PA
Begin Again Horse Rescue Honeoye, NY
Golden Carrot Rescue Anza, CA
Changing Leads Equine Rescue Kansas City, MO