Dean Curtis' new photobook showcases the beauty, history of Shannon County's wild horses

Local photojournalist Dean Curtis has been photographing wild horses in Southwest Missouri for over a decade, spending early mornings crouched within weeds or wading through the Jacks Fork River to get the perfect shot. This year, Curtis released his first photobook, "The Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri," which depicts the beauty of the animals and his passion for documenting them.

The photobook features more than 100 images of the four wild horse herds that call Shannon County home: Shawnee Creek, Broadfoot, Rocky Creek and Round Spring. In addition to photographs, the book outlines the history of the wild horses' existence in the area.

Curtis recalled his first encounter with the wild horses vividly. It was in 2010 while on a camping trip on the Jacks Fork River when he saw a flash of white along the riverbank's tree line. About eight horses were in the trees, but it wasn't long before they scurried off.

A year later, Curtis was back, camping in the same spot, when he heard the horses in the distance. He made his way to one of the horses' regular pastures near the Shawnee Creek access when he came upon a small group.

"They saw me right away, and ran across a field and then stopped," Curtis said. "I just kind of sat and watched them and after time, they started walking toward me. They got really, really close to me. I got nervous, grabbed my stuff and went back into the weeds and watched them. They just (stood) and grazed and after awhile I ventured back out and it was just like they had accepted me as part of the herd. It was just wonderful."

It was then that Curtis became "hooked."

Over the past 12 years, Curtis has spent a lot of time traveling to Shannon County, learning the best techniques for photographing the horses.

"My philosophy is I only take what they will give me," Curtis said. "When I go there, I only go so far and I just sit there and observe them for a long time and let them acclimate to my presence. I don't want to feel them and their attention in my photos. It's like I'm not there but have a window into their life; that's kind of my goal as a photojournalist."

If he had to choose a favorite herd, it's the Shawnee Creek group because of their intimate relationships.

"I saw this connection and bond, and I just watched how they would nuzzle each other and love on each other," Curtis said. "It's just amazing. I don't quite see that in the other herds."

The Shawnee Creek herd is traditionally found east of Eminence, Missouri at the Shawnee Creek access. Curtis described this herd as the most gentle and easily accessible, as they are used to trail riders passing through their pastures.

One of Curtis' favorite photos in the book is actually of the Broadfoot herd, often found at the Broadfoot Trailhead along the Current River, just northeast of Eminence. The photo showcases five horses racing through the river.

This was a photo Curtis dreamed of capturing for about five years. He waited alongside the river for quite some time before he heard the horses approaching. He then waded into the river to photograph them running through. He remembered being excited to find he got the "magical shot" after they passed.

For those interested in visiting the horses, Curtis reminded them to remember these are wild animals.

"I just hope that if people go out and try to find the horses and view them, that they're respectful, don't try to pet them or feed them," Curtis said. "That is just really harmful for them to be too acclimated to people."

The importance of the Missouri Wild Horse League

Curtis also outlines the history of the Missouri Wild Horse League, established in the 1990s by wild horse activists, in the book.

The organization was formed after Ozarks National Scenic Riverways National Park Superintendent Art Sullivan requested the removal of the wild horses. He deemed the horses a "non-native species," according to Curtis' research. The Ozarks National Scenic Riverways protects the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in Southwest Missouri.

Shannon County locals banded together to collect over 1,000 petition signatures, which they sent to Congress, demanding the horses be left alone. After the petition and a demonstration of over 3,000 people at the National Parks Service office in Van Buren, former President Bill Clinton approved the Ozarks Wild Horse Protection Act in 1996.

This group of activists would become the Missouri Wild Horse League, and today they continue to monitor the preservation of the wild horses.

The history of the wild horses themselves varies depending on who you talk to, Curtis said. But most agree they've been in the area for almost 100 years. They're thought to be the offspring of farm and logging horses brought to Shannon County during the Great Depression.

Where you can purchase "The Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri"

The photobook is available for purchase for $49.95 online at missouriwildhorses.square.site/.

Curtis will be signing books at Bedford Camera & Video on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bedford is located at 2550 S. Campbell Ave.

Along with capturing the photos and writing the copy, Curtis also designed the entire photobook with Adobe InDesign. It was published by Walsworth Publishing in Marceline, Missouri.

Originally from Minnesota, Curtis served as the photo editor of the News-Leader from 1992 to 2014 after working at several newspapers across the country, including in North Dakota, South Dakota and New Jersey. In 2015, Curtis was inducted in the Missouri Photojournalist Hall of Fame.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Dean Curtis releases 'The Wild Horses of Shannon County, Missouri'