A photographer's lens reveals the spirit of horses

A native of Shouyang, Zhao shared the inspiration behind his work. "My fascination with horses comes from deep admiration," he said. "They are humanity's most loyal companions—intelligent, courageous and free-spirited." Over the past five years, Zhao has traveled extensively across Inner Mongolia's grasslands, living among herders, forging friendships, and observing horses up close. "This is not merely documentation," he noted, "but a tribute to the spirit of courage and freedom that horses embody. It is the most precious chapter of my photographic journey."

What moves him most, Zhao added, is the gaze of a horse—calm yet profound, like a bottomless lake, imbued with an innate, eternal alertness. In that silent exchange, he senses a powerful tension between absolute loyalty and absolute freedom. "They are guided by reins, yet never lose the instinct to run; they serve humans, yet retain a storm-like, untamed soul. This pull between restraint and freedom is life at its most moving—and the most compelling force photography can capture."