Mane attraction
Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan has always dreamt of living among wild horses. Three decades into his film-making career, he’s finally seized the chance in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
BBC/Hello Halo Productions/Guthrie O'Brien
- Robin Parker
Wild Horses, the Rockies and Me is on 21 December 7.00pm BBC Tw0. Add it to your watchlist
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What first sparked your interest in horses?
They were my life from age 11 to 16. I struggled at school — I’m fairly sure I’m dyslexic — and home life was difficult, as my stepfather was violent. When I started going pony trekking, and then on to bigger horses, it gave me a sense of confidence. It’s a more straightforward relationship than with humans: horses can sense joy and sadness in each other and in people. That’s why they’re used as therapy animals.
This was your first time with wild horses — did they surpass your expectations?
Yes. The adversity of the Rockies has shaped them into the most explosively dynamic species I’ve spent time with — they’re robust, strong and fast.
What did you have to do in order to gain the herd’s acceptance?
It was hard to build harmony. The first time they laid eyes on me, they ran away! I found I was trying to perceive myself as they would see me, and to mimic their behaviour. From watching at a distance to gradually being circled at the heart of the family group is magical. At the start, I’d thought that to get within 20 metres would be a reasonable climax to the film; to be able to touch one was extraordinary.
How did the experience change you?
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Being with horses reminds you of the importance of empathy. They were the first animals that taught me how to trust, and it recaptured something I hadn’t felt since I was a child. Often when I finish a project, I think I’d like to go back; never has this been more the case. I’ll have to come up with an excuse to return.
Authors
Robin Parker
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