BY: JONATHAN MOSS
There is an untamed nature that wildly bubbles within all of us. Beneath piles of emails and smog-covered skylines, there exists an untainted self that instinctually yearns to return to wide-open spaces. There is a universal desire for adventure and freedom from societal obligations. Behind our neckties and reading glasses is a thirst to wander, explore, and escape from the monotony of golf course-ridden suburbs.
These are the sentiments that sparked the idea of the “Unbranded Crew”, Thomas Glover, Ben Thamer, Ben Masters, and Jonny Fitzsimons, who decided to take a break after completing their University degrees to explore the iconic American West.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
The crew adopted unwanted mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management, which currently looks after 58, 000 wild horses. Since open spaces in the American West are diminishing, many horses are held at government facilities intended to be sold or adopted; yet, unfortunately, demand for them rarely meets the large supply. Masters wants to inspire adoptions by showing the majesty of mustangs while simultaneously educating the public on population control. During the travels he was surprised at the loyalty, resilience, and versatility of these beautiful creatures, who seem to be as natural on steep terrain as they are galloping across sun-pressed grasslands.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
The Award-winning documentary film “Unbranded” is about four students-turned-cowboys who adopt, train, and ride 16 wild mustangs 3,000 miles, from Mexico to Canada. As they travel across epic landscape and encounter awe-inspiring wildlife, their journey is one of self-discovery and an attempt to return to the heart of things.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
There are certainly no shortages of riveting stories from their adventures. In Glacier National Park their horses were charged by a moose, nearly destroying over $30,000 of camera equipment, yet they managed to escape the situation by scrambling up surrounding trees.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
They hit many other hitches along the way including one crew member being kicked in the head by a horse; up in the mountains they were shocked to watch one horse tumble 40 feet before it stood up totally unscathed, shook itself off and caught up with the group.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
The crew crossed raging rivers and snow-capped mountains, fly fished off horseback, grilled dogs over open stoves, and hummed songs around campfires. “I loved passing exhausted backpackers as we cruised by with cold beer and whiskey bottles,” Masters says.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
In addition to the documentary, Masters and the Unbranded Crew have published an Unbranded book of photos and commentary, which they hope will inspire adoptions and educate viewers on our interdependence with nature. Mostly, Masters wants to remind the public that this kind of open land exists and it is possible for anyone to do it. Ninety-five per cent of their trip was traversed on publicly owned land and Masters supposes their four to five month trip could be completed with a mere $8,000 dollars.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
“I feel as if I get a lot of pressure from school, my family, from society in general, saying, ‘Ben you need to go to college, get a job, get a house, do these things and take the steps to becoming a successful person,'” he says. “And that’s all good, but for six months of my life I wanted to do what I wanted to do. And I did. And I will never regret that,” Masters says to Mother Jones. So what are you waiting for? Satisfy your thirst to roam free, the great American landscape awaits.
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Unbranded/Texas A&M University Press
Image Sources: flickr.com
