I was born and grew up in Romania. I often travel back to visit my family and friends.

Last December was a bit different. I went home with the intention of finding and photographing some horses roaming free in the Southern Romanian forests. I was detoured. Prior to my arrival, my dear mother watched a documentary on the Hutul horses from the Northern Carpathians ands she felt the subject might interest me. I did my research, discovered Lucina Stables and effortlessly decided to travel to the other end of the country, close to the Ukrainian border. The adventure exceeded my expectations.

Horses have always been a big part of the Romanian people’s lives. In many areas of the country men and their four legged are intimately connected and the animals are indispensable in most households.
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Lazy L&B Ranch offers authentic ranch vacations, where you can experience the real ‘Wild West’. Located in Wind River’s East Fork Valley, Wyoming (see, it even sounds like it’s straight out of a movie), Lazy L&B was started in the 1920s and is known for its extensive scenic horseback riding and family-friendly atmosphere. 

Experienced wranglers match you and your family with your perfect equine partners, then take you exploring. Choose from a range of rides that suit you, from relaxed rides along the river to loping through the diverse 80,000 acres of high country with knowledgable wranglers as your guides. Set in spectacular scenery, Lazy L&B gives guests the opportunity to experience deep river gorges, mountain forests and the painted canyons of the Wind River Indian Reservation. You’ll create memories that will last a lifetime and enjoy experiences your children will want to tell all their friends about.

Family time and family-free time, too

Lazy L&B is home to the Halmay family and parents Jason and Deb have worked hard to develop a friendly ranch atmosphere that will suit every family. 

Photo: The Halmay family – Jason, Deb, Julia, Felicity and Summer

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Ranch holidays give you the opportunity to commune with nature in a way that many other vacations can not. Defined as a 'large farm' in many dictionaries, a key aspect of a ranch is great, big and beautiful, open space. On this land, mostly free from human influence, animals, birds and reptiles thrive. They are free to live as animals were born to, roaming in natural habitats.

Photo: Lone Mountain Guest Ranch, Montana, USA.

From the ordinary to the extraordinary

From working ranches to luxury getaways, every one of the Top50 ranches has something to offer the nature-loving holiday maker.

Photo: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Choose a nature walk in a national park to seek out your furry neighbours or take to the water for a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching trip. You are only limited by your imagination, because sightings at ranches have ranged from elk to mountain lions, golden eagles to black bears.

Photo: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

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Photographer Manuela Stefan presents:

The Old West: A Travel and Equine Photography Workshop

When: October 6-12, 2013

Location: The Apache Spirit Ranch, Arizona

Join lifestyle and equine photographer Manuela Stefan on an unforgettable journey exploring the spirit and flavors of the West. During the 5 days long workshop Manuela will share her vision and help you explore your own creative potential.

Sign up Today for Manuela Stefan's Photography Workshop

Learn more about Manuela Stefan at www.gracefulhorses.com

How photographing horses led to incredible discoveries

by Manuela Stefan (www.gracefulhorses.com)

Looking back at my life I truly am marveled at the way events have unfolded and brought me full circle. My current vantage point allows me to make more sense of the puzzle I have been putting together, piece by piece. I am not saying it is complete, but what I have so far is already making a lot of sense.

As a child I spent summers in the Romanian countryside with my grandparents, surrounded by nature and animals. Grandpa always had horses. My father loves to share so many of his own childhood memories, riding bareback and being so connected with these animals. I remember admiring them and being taken with their grandeur. I was 5 years old at the time and they seemed bigger than life. I would watch foals being born and standing up on frail legs. It made so much sense to be there among them that I never thought my life in the big city would change everything. My grandparents passed and I ended up going back to the village less and less. The physical connection with that fascinating world came to an end. What I did not know until years later was how deeply embedded in my spirit this experience has remained.

In 1998 I moved to Canada and continued on with my urban lifestyle, this time in Toronto. A few years ago a friend of mine took me to a farm close to Guelph, Ontario and I had the chance to spend time with some horses. While driving back to the city I kept on thinking about them and about going back very soon. The feeling of deep peace was truly overwhelming.

It was my soul's home coming.

Months later I had to drive to Collingwood for a photo shoot with a lovely couple. On the way there I kept on seeing horses. I would stop the car so often that I almost did not make it on time for my appointment. I remember standing by the farm's fence and having the horses run towards me. My blood would pump faster through my veins and I would feel exhilarated.

One day I woke up after having dreamt of a white horse. The vision stayed with me and I started asking around with the hope that I would find something like him. That's when it happened. Miraculously (or not) I learned about the beautiful white horses of Camargue. Three months later I was flying there.

Needless to say, every single moment spent in the marshes of Camargue with these gracious beings was beyond rewarding. At times it felt as if they knew I was there for them. When they were not running in the water, they remained totally still, like majestic statues.

I stood there in deep awe and gratitude for what this moment was offering me: one of the most incredible encounters ever. I was surrounded by pure beauty, grace and overwhelming power. It was as if the horses were trying to tell me that they knew why I came and they understood my journey.

I returned home feeling changed. Affected. Inspired. Driven to do more.

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