“I’ve always loved horse and this time in my life, I could show them that love that they had shown me, and that kindness they had shown me.” -Em Loerzel
The Lac La Croix Indian Pony or The Ojibwe pony is small horse that was once semi-feral and used by the Ojibwe people. It reached near extinction in the 1960s; however, through revitalization efforts there are now about 150 ponies in the US and Canada.
Today’s guest is Em Loerzel, the caretaker of 7 ponies in River Falls, Wisconsin. Em is White Earth Ojibwe and cares for the ponies with her husband River Coakwell. Together they run, The Humble Horse, a non-profit organization aimed at preserving the Lac La Croix Indian Pony.
photos by Rebeca Paro