Some sessions are a family affair, and Dina and Dese’s was one of the most fun days I had all summer. Dina’s family came out in full force to help, from prepping horses to waving, calling, and doing whatever it took to get ears up. With four big horses, a donkey, and three dogs, there was never a dull moment.
Meet Dese
Dese, registered as De Seven Forty Seven, is a 27 year old Quarter Horse with a big personality. Dina’s husband bought him as a yearling 26 years ago, and he has been part of the family ever since. Over the years he has done trails and clinics, and he is always the go-to horse when guests come to ride.
He is also the self-appointed watchdog of the farm, and Dina has plenty of stories to prove it: the time he “played” with a coyote through the fence, the 4-H pig that ended up in his paddock, and the day he wandered up to look in a neighbour’s window, only to find he had the wrong house. To this day, he comes running when he is called.
Dina’s favourite memory says everything about him. On a ride at South Kettle, a turkey flew up out of nowhere. Dese spun and left Dina hanging in the air like a cartoon, then ran right back to her, whinnying for her the whole way.
The Whole Herd
Dese has plenty of company at home. His best buddy is Sinndar, a 24 year old black draft cross, and the two of them have a party trick: they know how to smile together. It is every bit as charming in person as it looks in these photos. The herd is rounded out by Lilly, a paint Quarter Horse mare, Buck the buckskin, and, of course, Donkey.
Syd the blue heeler, Kai, and little Lola, the corgi-looking one, made sure nothing happened without them. Dina wore three looks: a teal kimono with jeans, a red top, and a beautiful floral dress for her portraits with the dogs. Each one looked outstanding against the summer greens and all those different coats.
Getting four horses, a donkey, and three dogs to look at the camera takes a village, and Dina’s family was fantastic. Everyone pitched in, and it showed in how relaxed and happy the whole day felt.
Dina, thank you for welcoming me to your little slice of heaven and letting me meet the whole crew. Dese is one of a kind, and I hope these portraits remind you of that every day. And to the family, thank you for all the ear-raising help.
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