When photographer Gareth McConnell embarked on his journey to capture what he describes as the essence of horses, little did he anticipate that his project would a year later evolve into a book. But that’s exactly what happened. The Horses, which is published by Sorika, is a mesmerizing blend of kaleidoscopic, large-format imagery; a collection of vividly-saturated, cosmic photographs that offer an intimate glimpse into the enigmatic world of these majestic creatures.

Choosing Iceland as his backdrop, a country where horses hold as much symbolic significance as its famous waterfalls and glaciers, McConnell masterfully shines psychedelic lights onto these animals both in their natural outdoor environments and inside sheltered stables. Each photograph bursts with vibrant flashes of color, artfully conveying the unique and diverse personalities of the horses he encountered. McConnell’s approach is wild and expressive, but it also exudes a sense of tranquility and power. For McConnell, it was the horses that guided the book’s artistic direction, resulting in a portrayal that goes beyond mere depiction and instead delves into the realm of profound connection.