‘Alberta Wild’ This is day 2 of my #WHPC takeover, and I am honoured to celebrate ‘Canadian Wild Horse Week’. In western Canada, Alberta’s Rocky Mountain foothills are home to sturdy, tough wild horses that survive the elements. These wild horses live in the forests and boggy areas in a breathtaking alpine setting. They are muscular, powerful horses adept at digging in the snow for forage if they need to. There are approximately 1700 ‘Alberta Wildies’. Chestnuts, roans, bays, blacks, even palominos and pintos can be found in this area north of Calgary Alberta. As with many wild horse areas, local advocates are deeply connected to the wild horses and will occasionally give them a name. Pictured here is the massive gentle giant known as ‘Willie’, with his growing foal and one of his mares. Willie is a wonderful band stallion, very gentle with his family but also protective. Just look at his ‘two-tone’ tail. Gorgeous! I spent some time with this wild family from a distance (long lens used) where they were deep in an alpine forest. The wild horses live in harmony with deer, moose, bears, and foxes- and they also have natural predators: wolves and mountain lions. To see the wild horses of Alberta is an incredible experience. Much respect to the local advocate group ‘Help Alberta Wildies’ who have been working tirelessly to keep these wild horses protected. You can find them on FB or at www.helpalbertawildies.com. For more photos, follow me at @sandysharkeyphotography. Thank you to everyone who shares their wild horse images from around the world! Tomorrow we will be back on #sableisland as our tribute to Canadian wild horses continues! (at Sundre, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5pmPMWnL5o/?igshid=1oe0b9kwq66uo
