Reo's Vision
Legends are told of my kind.
Once the horse of warriors,
Now I carry courageous riders
who need my four legs
To heal their fragile bodies and minds
As the Seasons come and go
I reconnect them with the earth
and their own hearts.
~ Kim McElroy
THE STORY BEHIND THE ART
Reo is a breed of horse called a Curly Horse, and he is a therapy horse at Equifriends
Riding for people with disabilities. When began composing his portrait I felt that a
circular composition would most compliment the images his owners and I had selected. I
also wanted to portray Reo in different seasons so I could showcase his curly coat in the winter. As I created the circle, I was put in mind of a Native American medicine wheel, which is symbolic of the stages of life, the seasons, and the wisdom of the four directions. Out of curiosity, I researched the history of the Curly breed and discovered, to
my amazement, that Native Americans once prized the Curly horse. These synchronicities are an exciting part of my creative inspirations.