August 1st 2026
WRITTEN BY Minh Dan Vu
How three people independently published a coffee table book + documentary series
Category: Book
Equine Legacy is a five-year photography and conservation project documenting seven endangered horse breeds around the world.
The project began with a simple question: How can I use my expertise in photography to do something for the world?
How it all started
Seven endangered horse breeds.
Five years of work. Three creators. One mission.
Preserving Heritage in the Digital Age
In 2021, filmmaker Alieke and writer Valerie joined the project. Together, we began researching endangered horse breeds and quickly realized how much of this story remained unknown. We discovered that more than 32% of horse breeds worldwide are threatened with extinction. Horses represent one of the largest groups of endangered domestic animal breeds, and more than 92 horse breeds have already disappeared forever. Behind every lost breed is more than an animal disappearing. It is the loss of centuries of history, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and unique genetics that can never be recovered.
"With our combined expertise in photography, filmmaking, and storytelling, we realized we could help share these stories with a wider audience."
Kladruber
The Kladruber has a remarkable history as a ceremonial carriage horse. With origins connected to European royal courts, this breed carries a living piece of European heritage.
Status: Critical
Population: ~ 2100
L E A R N M O R E >
We decided to focus on seven endangered and rare horse breeds, each with a small population, a remarkable history, and unique genetic or physical characteristics. At the same time, we wanted these breeds to tell the bigger story of the horse itself. That is why we deliberately chose horses that represent the extraordinary diversity of equine heritage: a powerful draft horse, an elegant gaited horse, a hardy mountain pony, a majestic baroque breed, and more. Each has its own role, history, and future, shaped by the landscapes and cultures they belong to. Together, these seven horse breeds form a mosaic of the horse's enduring relationship with humanity, while highlighting why preserving endangered horse breeds is so important for future generations.
Our seven breeds
Fell Pony
The Fell Pony has been part of the landscape of Northern England for centuries. Originally used as a working pony in the mountains, this hardy breed represents a connection between people, agriculture, and the natural environment.
Status: At Risk
Population: ~ 6500
L E A R N M O R E >
Clydesdale
Known worldwide for its strength and striking appearance, the Clydesdale played an important role in agriculture and industry before modern machinery transformed farming.
Status: Recovering
Population: ~ 26000
L E A R N M O R E >
Marwari
The Marwari is deeply connected to India's history and traditions. Recognizable by its unique ears and elegant appearance, this breed represents centuries of selective breeding and cultural heritage.
Status: Critical
Population: ~ 3000
L E A R N M O R E >
Puerto Rican Paso Fino
The Paso Fino represents centuries of Spanish influence in the Americas and remains an important part of Puerto Rican cultural identity. Its smooth, natural gait and enduring partnership with people have made it a living symbol of the island's heritage,
Status: Critical
Population: ~ 3000
L E A R N M O R E >
Mountain Pleasure Horse
The Mountain Pleasure Horse represents generations of Appalachian horse culture. Developed for comfort, reliability, and versatility, this breed carries the history of rural communities in Kentucky.
Status: Critical
Population: ~ 2500
L E A R N M O R E >
Sorraia
The Sorraia is considered one of Europe's oldest and rarest horse breeds. Its primitive characteristics offer a glimpse into the history of Iberian horses.
Status: Highly Critical
Population: ~ 350
L E A R N M O R E >
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to postpone our travels for a long time. Looking back, however, that delay became one of the most valuable parts of the project. It gave us the opportunity to deepen our research into endangered horse breeds, have countless conversations with breeders, historians, and conservation experts from around the world, and build the relationships that would make this horse conservation project possible. After months of planning, endless meetings, and many sleepless nights, we were finally able to begin our first journey to England in 2022.
Bankruptcy
Just before departing on our fourth journey to Kentucky, we received bad news. Our sponsor went bankrupt, and the funding we had been promised disappeared overnight. By then, we had already invested years into documenting endangered horse breeds, and stopping was not an option. The stories of these rare horses were simply too important to leave untold. So we made the difficult decision to finance the remainder of the horse conservation project ourselves. It was an incredibly stressful period, but it only strengthened our commitment to preserving these breeds and sharing their stories with the world.
Setbacks
A glimpse inside the Miro board where we gathered all our research
Post production
In October 2024, after five years of work, Equine Legacy was finally ready for print. Shortly before Christmas, eight pallets of books arrived. For the first time, we could finally hold the result of five years of dedication in our hands. Throughout 2025 and 2026, we continue working with conservation organizations, organizing screenings, attending events, and sharing the stories behind these remarkable horses. If you know any ways that could help our mission, a documentary screening, magazine, or social media collaboration, we would love to hear from you!
Book design
Book design in Adobe InDesign
After completing our travels, the next chapter began: transforming thousands of images and hours of research into a finished book. Together, we spent countless days editing photographs, writing, revising, and refining every detail. Over all seven journeys, I captured more than 100,000 photographs. Each selected image was carefully processed, with some photographs taking over an hour to edit.
Photo editing
Working in Lightroom and Photoshop
We visited multiple printing companies to find the perfect combination of paper quality, printing technique, and color reproduction. The book went through 17 different versions before reaching the final design. In October 2024, after five years of work, Equine Legacy was finally ready for print. Shortly before Christmas, eight pallets of books arrived. For the first time, we could finally hold the result of five years of dedication in our hands.
We believe every horse breed is a living piece of history, culture, and biodiversity. Our mission is to give a voice to endangered horses. If you’re inspired to support our work and discover the beauty of these rare breeds, consider purchasing our coffee table book. A celebration of equine diversity and a call to action for conservation.