TUCSON RODEO – DAVID ZEIGLER, PHOTOGRAPHER

INTRODUCTION

For too long we humans have dominated the reporting of interactions between ourselves and members of the “animal kingdom.” For this reason I included the thoughts and comments of the horses in a photo essay about events at a Tucson rodeo.

Having been around horses for more than three quarters of a century, I know what a horse’s snort signifies, or the meaning of a teeth-bearing guffaw, or the angry twitch of a tail. Even humans unaccustomed to horse behavior should be able to sense the inner  feelings of these proud animals who have become actors in rodeos. Just as we can share the artificial emotions of a human actor, we are obliged to  recognize what a horse is pretending to exhibit in a rodeo performance.

"This classic trick always impresses the audience!"
"Notice that all the guys are watching me -- the horse -- do all the performing."
" Don't ask me what the guy with the striped shirt and clipboard is doing out there.”
"I told this cowboy with the strange green chaps I'd stomp on him if I got the chance."
“I'm not sure which one of us is showing off, the cowboy or me!"
"We ARE smiling. Can't you tell?"
" I'm letting the cowboy appear to be working the hardest.”
"Catch me if you can!”
"This cowboy just won't give up!"
"I really hate it when the cowboy grabs me by my hide."
"I hope this cowboy falls off!”

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