HÜRMETCI VILLAGE, CAPPADOCIA, THE LAND OF BEAUTIFUL HORSES

These Yılkı horses have been part of the landscape for centuries and are an iconic symbol of the region.  As they approach, we feel the thundering hooves of 300 horses deep in our chests.  The dust surrounds them like a copper-colored cloud in the late afternoon sun, obscuring the landscape.   

These free and wild souls of Anatolia, with coats of white, brown, chestnut, and dappled gray, emerge from the hazy veil of dust. These are semi-wild horses living the embodiment of freedom, their manes flowing like banners and their eyes gleaming with untamed spirit. Most of the horses are not tamed or ridden, but their familiar presence with people does allow close encounters and photography.

These are “Jades”.  Horses that are released into the wild for the winter, or towards the end of their useful lives.  These horses are survivors spending the cold months on their own, scavenging for food.  For centuries, farmers have rounded up the horses and put them back to work in the spring. In the last 50 years, tractors have replaced horses, so many Jades no longer return to the farms.

Ali Dayi and Nuri Ḉorbacioğlu saved these horses. They gathered the horses left by family, friends, and villagers, looked after them, and provided food and medicine when needed. This not only prevented the horses from going extinct but also created a good source of income for Cappadocia. Today, these horses attract photographers, brides and grooms, as well as Instagrammers, to the region.

The perfect trifecta: hot-air balloons, rock formations, and horses in the same photo. This is the perfect way to end my Cappadocia Photologue.  According to spell-check, I just made up a word.  I think it is a great word to describe my photographic travelogue.  I hope you enjoy it. 

 

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