Yılkı Horses

In the sweeping plains of Kayseri, where Mount Erciyes watches over the land, the Yılkı horses run free—symbols of resilience, strength, and untamed beauty. Once released or abandoned, they have reclaimed their place in nature, forming wild herds that move like poetry across the Anatolian steppe. Yet, their story is not one of solitude. For generations, herders have been their silent companions, guiding and understanding them in a delicate balance between nature and tradition.

This portfolio captures the profound relationship between the Yılkı horses and their herders—a bond woven through time, patience, and mutual respect. The images reveal moments of raw energy as the horses gallop through dust and snow, their manes dancing with the wind. But just as powerful are the quieter interactions: a herder watching over the herd at dusk, a gentle hand reaching out, the unspoken trust between human and animal.

Photographing this connection requires more than observation; it demands immersion. I followed the herders into the heart of the land, witnessing their devotion to a way of life that is both fading and enduring. In their faces, I saw stories of hardship and passion. In the horses' eyes, I glimpsed both defiance and trust.

Through this work, I aim to honor not only the untamed spirit of the Yılkı horses but also the herders who preserve their legacy. This is a testament to coexistence—where freedom and guidance, wilderness and humanity, meet in a timeless dance across the Anatolian landscape.