Welcome to the Sunday Dispatch. Here are our top finds for the week of Dec. 19.

A pair of Onaqui youngsters sparring in Utah. Sorry, they are not saying "CHEESE"! Photo by Susan Goudge.

01. Photographer pick: Susan Goudge 

A true horse lover, Susan Goudge isn't afraid to get up close and personal to snap shots of these majestic creatures in action. She posts multiple photos at least once a day, and if the visuals alone aren't enough for you her witty commentary sure will be. 

We often see horses being ridden or grazing in pastures, but untamed horses are a whole different ball game, and many people aren’t even aware they exist in the western U.S. Goudge wants to change that: "I hope my photos, by showing the mustangs living wild and free within their close-knit family bands, kindle a sense of adventure and magic in the viewer."

Check out her many incredible photos at @swgoudge!

Sparring stallions in McCullough Peaks in Wyoming. Photo by Susan Goudge.

02. Article pick: 'One Young Woman's Quest to Make A Difference For Wild Horses' 

A blog post for The Cloud Foundation, young activist Erin Phillips writes of her experiences with horses in the wild and long-time mission of starting a wild horse and burro sanctuary.

Captured by the Bureau of Land Management, approximately 50,000 wild horses are living in holding facilities today. Since wild horses have no predators we often see spikes in their population rates, and the government-run BLM is attempting to keep those numbers in check. Unfortunately, the roundup methods and conditions of the facilities are not always humane, and many horses are sold for slaughter if not saved by rescue groups. Phillips' goal, Mustang Mission, is to rescue mustangs and burros from slaughter, tame them, and eventually adopt them out to forever homes. You can learn more about her mission at Mustangmission.blogspot.com.

"Wild Horse Country" by David Phillips. Provided photo.

03. Book pick: 'Wild Horse Country' 

Delving into a very controversial subject, New York Times reporter and author David Philipps outlines the fascinating history of the wild horse in America — from its prehistoric appearance in the U.S. to its spread through the battles during the days of the "Wild West" — while investigating the crisis they face today.

Philipps is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and his reporting skills are apparent throughout the book. Purchase it at Thriftbooks or Amazon and give it a read!

Lucinda Vette bonds with Cimarron. Provided photo.

04. Audio pick: Lessons Learned from Listening to Horses

This quick, inspirational TED Talk features Lucinda Vette, a 40-year horse expert who shares the miraculously tale of taming an "untamable" horse named Cimarron. 

A former drug running horse, Cimarron endured unthinkable abuse from humans. After he was left for dead and eventually saved by a horse rescue, he was terrified of anyone who came near him, and soon after seriously injuring a person out of fear, he was on his way to euthanasia. Somehow, Vette was able to connect with Cimarron in a way that not only made him feel safe but also changed the way she viewed the world, and she ended up keeping him as her very own. Her story reveals the powerful connection we can have with horses — and really all creatures for that matter — if only we'd stop thinking so much and start feeling more. 

Vette currently manages the equine program at Miraval in Arizona, helping guests discover healthy balance within themselves through horses.