Customer Reviews

Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who appreciate fine art photography, they will not be disappointed as "Wild Hoofbeats: America's Vanishing Wild Horses" is absolutely packed with stunning photographs of the highest caliber; beautiful, rich, vivid, raw, tender, and intimate and just on this basis alone, it stands apart as a monumental tribute to the magnificence and beauty of the American Wild Horse.

For years, Carol photographed the wild horses of Wyoming and made the Adobe Town herds the focus of this incredible work of artistry. Visiting them during all seasons throughout the years, she shares with us her growing knowledge of each band, each unique family member, the bonds that can take them a lifetime to create as well as a brief history of the various herds highlighted throughout her travels.

From the time she "discovers them", she follows them through their natural cycles on the great Red Desert plains, through the helicopter driving that rounds them up, shatters their families, their freedom and their lives, and even goes so far as to visit one of BLMs long-term holding facilities, where most of America's wild horses have now been shipped too, in efforts to try and locate one of the now captured wild stallions whose riveting presence had so moved her to begin following him and his band.

As each page is turned, bringing one deeper into the heart of America's wild horses with its electrifying visual connections as to why these majestic creatures were declared national icons and living symbols of America's spirit, freedom and independence, the elegant and profound narration provides stark contrast as it simultaneously sums up the simple truths behind both the tragedy and the travesty that has been unfolding in relative obscurity to our vanishing wild herds.

Educational, beautiful and enlightening, "Wild Hoofbeats - America's Vanishing Wild Horses" is an instant classic for those who already know the value of the distinctly American wild horse, but more importantly - it is a must have for those who don't - as it powerfully communicates what is truly being lost or more accurately, what is being taken from us.

Ultimately, it reaches into the depth of the soul and as gratifying as it is visually, it leaves a penetrating sense of sadness through its crystal clear revelations - something precious and irreplaceable is being destroyed right before our very eyes and unless people wake up and speak up, it's spectacular photography may only serve future generations by historically documenting what "use to be".

Highly recommended and very reasonably priced.

Wild Hoofbeats is documentary art of a tragically vanishing world. I love horse calendars and there are many either poorly photographed or trite. Being familiar with Carol Walker's work and mission with the Pryor Mountain Herd, I was delighted to learn she was releasing a calendar. After seeing the images in the calendar, I had to have the book, which has proved to be not only visually stunning, but meaningful. The book is important enough to gift a copy to your local library as well as your own.

I bought this book because it looked "pretty" but more to support the wild horses since part of the proceeds goes towards the Cloud Foundation. I bought it online, and when I got it into my hands a few days later I was stunned by the rawness and sheer beauty of the photography. The closeups are amazing. This book is coffee table quality even though its a paperback!

Visually stunning as well as a compelling read.
A great gift for any animal lover. Rich and informative in our great but threatened America heritage.

Carol gives a comprehensive - and stunningly photographed - overview on the current plight of mustangs. Her contribution to the body knowledge on this issue is greatly appreciated and recommended.
Hildy Armour, Executive Director, Colorado Horse Rescue

Caorl Walker has beautifully photographed and written of her experiences with a magnificent aspect of Western life that is disappearing all too rapidly. The hardy and ruggedly handsome horses she has come to know are facing their biggest preditor - man. Although they embody the timeless spirit of self-preservation and survival in some of Mother Nature's most intimidating landscapes, the wild horses have been able to form families, friendships and strategies to cope and to thrive. But they have no chance against helicopter round-ups, and many have been banished to corrals and pens - to prison, really, for no crime other than being alive and free. This book is a Must-Read for anyone who cherishes the right of free, living creatures to live as Nature intended !

This book has spectacular photography, and great stories "behind" the pictures. 10% of the purchase price also goes to a worthy cause.

Un libro espectacular, fotos increíbles, una edición intachable.

Con su ojo artístico y crítico, Carol nos enseña la belleza de un mudo hasta hora fuera del tiempo, el mundo de los caballos salvajes de los EE.UU. Cada foto demuestra una pasión y dedicación inmensa, transmitiéndonos testimonios de una vida simple, rustica, bella, difícil y libre de los últimos caballos salvajes. Desafortunadamente hoy se confrontan a dura realidad de la vida moderna, la cual los persigue en las llanuras sin descanso. Que resultara de este encuentro?

Carol hico mas que inmortalizar por ejemplo, el garañón español, ultimo descendente de un viejo conquistador olvidado en el nuevo mundo, sino también ofrece una ayuda con el 10% de este libro para la Cloud Foundation, quien se dedica a la preservación y protección de estos animales. A recomendar a cualquier aficionado al caballo, o a los verdes en el corazón.

The previous reviews have said it all!! I would just like to add that I have purchased both the book and the calendar and have never once been disappointed in the content.

I also bought this book online to support The Cloud Foundation and found it to be so much more than I expected. The photography is breathtaking! I am drawn back again and again to look at the visuals and read the material she has written about these beautiful horses. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, beautiful photography and who cares about the plight of Cloud's band in the Priors.

The BLM needs to hear from people who care about what they are doing to these horses. Thinning the herd and using contraceptives on the mares has not worked and will only cause inbreeding and weakening the blood lines of these wonderful mustangs.