Although I can’t reveal the entire article yet, I wanted to share the beginning of The Wind Horse’s Prayer, which will be published in the summer edition of Horses in Art Magazine.  I had lots of fun with this story as I reflected back to my time at Return to Freedom: America’s Wild Horse Sanctuary in June of 2008.  The horses there were unlike any I had ever met and I hope to get back to visit them again this fall.

Here is the beginning of the story – I hope you enjoy it.

Warmly, Sandra

… Return to Freedom… Don’t you just feel your heart skip a beat when you read those words?  Mine sure did, and does, for I know within the loving and protective embrace of America’s Wild Horse Sanctuary awaits the stuff that dreams are made of… MUSTANGS!   So when I read about Tony Stromberg’s photography workshop there in June of 2008, I knew I had to go. 

Interestingly enough, though I knew the story of Spirit the Kiger Mustang, and had seen pictures of Freedom, a poster horse for equine power and beauty, I was unexpectedly  drawn to a breed of horse I had never heard of.  The Choctaw horses, also known as the Trail of Tears ponies.

My husband would tell you there was nothing unexpected about it.  He would tell you that once I discovered there was a connection between actor and renaissance man Viggo Mortensen and the Choctaw horses, there was no reining me in.  I will admit to some kernel of truth in his words but what really caught  my heart were stories of the relocation of America’s native peoples along what came to be called the Trail of Tears, and a touching Choctaw Legend I read online…