THE SENIOR HORSE PROJECT

The Senior Horse Project was first showcased as a Pop-Up Photography Gallery display at Equitana 2022 in Melbourne, where many senior horses I have had the privilege of photographing to-date were showcased.

The display garnered great interest amongst horse people who related with having a much-loved horse now entering the later stages of their lives and who had yet to have invaluable photos documenting their legacy.

During the Equitana event we had the chance to meet Senior Constable Renee Gietman, who was there showcasing the Mounted Branch and explaining the role for those who may be interested in joining, or for people who may have a horse suitable for the required work.

I began the Senior Horse Project some two years ago as an endeavor to give something back to the many senior horses in our lives.  It is a photographic documentation of these wise old souls in all of their majestic glory and capturing their unique personality and beauty in a photograph for their loved ones to treasure forever.

Early one Autumn sunrise, I was spending time with one of my Senior horses.  I reflected on our time together throughout the years and had an immense feeling of how grateful I was for the journey we shared – there was love and respect and I recognised the significant role Horses played in shaping my life.  I felt a strong calling to celebrate their legacy.

The Mounted Branch has been operating since 1838 and is the longest serving unit in Victoria Police. This included a breeding program to purpose breed their very own horses for the job. A lengthy dedication goes into planning a breeding program of this nature. Foaling down, growing young-stock and then the slow and steady training and assessment program that will inevitably set them up for success as a valuable member of the branch.

This program now operates differently, with the Branch either buying horses from the open market, or accepting horses through donations. They are trialed and assessed over a 90-day period before it’s decided whether or not they will join the branch.  Though still an integral part of the team the Mounted Branch has slowly gotten smaller as other modes of transport have become more frequently utilised. As it sits now, they currently have 28 members to cover the whole of the state of Victoria, with trainers having an older horse and a younger upcoming horse in work.

Pictured above:  Unity

 At Equitana, Renee resonated with our Senior horse project, and told us of the senior horses of the Mounted Branch who were vast approaching their retirement. Three warmblood mares Xacara (19), Willow (20) and Unity (22) who are the main features of this blog.  They do still have one last gelding working, who is homebred and is Xacara’s half brother; but they are the last of the purpose bred horses for the Victoria Police-Mounted Branch.