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Wild Horsesof Kananaskisby Gilles Korent

Yes, wild horses do roam the forested slopes of western Alberta, covering a fairly large part of the Foothills: from northwest of Sundre down to the Ghost River system area. Although the main concentration appears to be limited to this range, a few horses are also known to frequent the northern part of Kananaskis, more precisely between Elbow Falls and McLean Creek.

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A stallion and mare pose patiently in Kananaskis Country.

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Some people do question the term "wild," given that these horses are not native to Alberta. According to reliable historical sources, horses roamed the great plains of what is now North America millions of years ago, but were extinct by the time "white man” arrived on the continent from Europe in the 15th Century, which is when horses were reintroduced. In more recent times, we can readily say that our "western heritage" was built around horses, when taking into account all the hard work they have done for us.

Horses have been used extensively for logging, farming and mining, as well as the general mode of transportation during the exploration and development of new territories such as Alberta. As a result, it is thought that the free-roaming horses we now encounter are direct descendants of animals that either escaped, or were released into the wild, during the late 1800s and early 1900s. After many generations, these horses have been able to adapt to the rough environment to the extent that they look quite different from their cousins: the domesticated working horses. The horses found in the wild today seem somewhat “weathered,” with most of the adult population bearing visible scars – a poignant reminder of the harsh environment in which they live.

Opposite page, top two photographs: herds are typically composed of a single stallion, a few mares and several young offspring. When they grow older, the young males are obligated to leave to join “bachelor groups” until they are strong enough to form their own herds. Bottom photo: a foal demands some attention.______________________________________________________________

This page, clockwise from above: smile for the camera; not all wild horses are dark in colour, such as this one that I like to call “Blondy;” foals are born in spring, making it very important to keep your distance and not stress the horses at this time of the year.

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One can find herds roaming around fairly easily. They are usually composed of a few individuals from six to 12 animals: a mature male (stallion), a few mares, and offspring of various ages. On a good day in the field, it is not uncommon to spot five or six such herds – if you put a little effort into it. Of course, some herds are larger than others, but the truly large herds seem to be a rare sighting these days. From observations made over the past few years, it has been very difficult to follow individual herds on a regular basis. Even though every group of horses seems to have its own territory, they often split up, so that each herd now appears much smaller than it used to be.

The horses can often be spotted grazing in meadows and open slopes a short distance from roadways, which makes for some good observation and photographic opportunities. More often than not though, one must get off the well-travelled areas to really experience the thrill of observing these animals in the wild. Carrying a long lens for short hikes to logged areas and meadows found in the hills is often rewarded by being able to find them grazing quietly.

Depending on the season, one will also find them in the deeper forests, or more secluded places where they seek shelter from harsh weather and human activity. Late fall, winter and spring are usually the best times to be out observing them. Winter and early spring are my personal favourite times to look for horses grazing in wind-blown open areas, with minimal snow accumulation. Getting around in weather conditions normally associated with these seasons (snow, cold temperatures) may be restrictive, but if one is able to travel to the area, the chances of encountering them are pretty good.

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Opposite page from top: as spring arrives, this young horse still sports a thick winter coat; a sprightly stallion on the run.

This page: young males of the herd often show affection to one another, but can also play quite aggressively in preparation for leaving the herd when they come of age, becoming either “solitary animals” or members of small “bachelor groups.”

Next page: like other wildlife, wild horses often run away once they spot you, but on the plus side, the resultant flying snow they kick up in winter can provide additional visual excitement to your photographs.

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Staying back a distance from a herd allows one to be treated to different behavioural observations. A couple of years ago in late October, I was able to follow one such herd for some time. It was located in a logged area, where two young males were displaying some aggressiveness by kicking and biting each other several times over the course of a couple of hours. Eventually the herd moved into the forest, but this encounter provided an unforgettable experience.

Getting within photographic range of horses is difficult, since after all they are “wild” animals. They often move away at the sight of people, so keep your distance to avoid stressing them. Some individual herds are more tolerant than others, being more willing to let people come close enough to capture some unbelievable images.

Over the past few years wild horses have become one of my favourite subjects. I find myself spending a fair amount of time observing and photographing them through the seasons, always making sure that I respect the animals by giving them the space they need to feel comfortable. Needless to say, I feel very privileged to be able to photograph them from any distance. Because they are “feral horses,” the “rules” of photographing wildlife apply as they would for any other wild species: respect the subject by keeping a safe distance for the sake of both the animal’s welfare and your own safety.

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Gilles Korent, a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer based in Calgary, is a regular contributor to this magazine.

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Gilles Korent_____________________________________________________

W I LDL I F E E X PR ES S IONS

Gilles Korent is a nature and wildlife photographer based in Calgary. His impressive wildlife photographs effectively portray the unique personalities of each subject in their natural environment, and are a testament to his patience, precision and dedication to the art of photography.

Gilles works primarily in the Calgary area and throughout the foothills of Alberta, allowing him to combine photography and his passion for the outdoors.

A selection of prints is available at the Branded Visuals Wildlife Gallery in Bragg Creek or via his website.

W E B S I T Ewww.wildlife-expressions.com

C O N T A C Tgilles@wildlife-expressions.com