On Thoroughbreds, Trust, and Second Chances
Thoroughbred racehorses can reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour. To watch that kind of power on a racetrack is one thing — to stand on the shoreline with a camera as a Thoroughbred comes charging past at a full gallop is another entirely. The memory of Bug, muscles stretched and hooves pounding the sand so hard that even the roar of the Pacific faded away, will stay with me for a long time.
This recent session at Grayland Beach with K.C. and her grey off-track Thoroughbred (or “OTTB”) holds a special place in my heart. When K.C. first told me about her adoption of Bug, the themes felt familiar. I remembered the same cautions I heard when I brought Liberty home: well-meaning voices warning of a horse that was “too free, too dangerous, too uncooperative,” or simply calling the decision bad judgment. But sometimes the heart knows more than logic. Sometimes that leap of faith is all that’s needed to change a horse’s life, and your own.
We made a weekend of it, overnighting at one of my favorite equine-friendly spots, Ocean Acres Horse Hotel and B&B. After the white-knuckle slog of Pierce County traffic, the relief of reaching the coast was tangible. Past Aberdeen, the air grew cooler, the humidity heavier, and the salt of the Pacific carried on the breeze.
The morning of the shoot brought a thick marine layer and occasional drizzle. Not the golden coastal light we’d hoped for, but soft grey skies have their own kind of beauty. For the portrait portion, I pulled out my battery-powered flapjack light, giving us just enough glow to mimic evening light. Bug stood steady, regal, his bond with K.C. shining through every frame.
We also created the illusion of halter-free images, not something I’d ever recommend attempting literally at the beach. For these sessions, I use a special “naked halter,” designed for photoshoots, so it can be seamlessly removed in post-processing. Bug looked every bit the free spirit, while staying safe and close at hand. He was cooperative, responsive, and truly wonderful to photograph.
Thinking about Bug’s story made me reflect on what it means to be a Thoroughbred. Their lives begin in intensity, racing at a young age, with uncertain paths once their careers are over. Some find their way to stud farms or sport homes, while others face far less certain futures. Thankfully, organizations like the Retired Racehorse Project are stepping in, dedicated to giving OTTBs a second career and a second chance.
It takes patience, compassion, and no small amount of trust to help these horses rediscover themselves. But when it works, as it has for Bug and K.C. — it’s proof of what’s possible when the heart leads.