In this AMA-UTA CreateCollab, senior Nicole Rios explores the bonds between horses and their riders in her original audio story.
Read more about our partnership below.
THE VICK FAMILY HORSE FARM
ABOUT MY AUDIO STORY
by Nicole Rios
Horses have always been seen as honorable and noble creatures, following their knight into battles and war. Today, horses serve many different purposes, some being farm, show or surrogate horses. The audio tale of the Vick family highlights the importance of the bond between rider and their steed. The Vick family owns a small horse farm in Justin, TX where the three horses have three very different personalities. Along with caring for the horses, she must care for the barn by having chores that differ from the day-to-day.
Hannah Vick speaks about the importance of training, with it being essential to creating a well-rounded horse. Vick describes the different types of horses she cares for at her own barn. Black is the oldest, being a 25-year-old quarter horse and the head of the hierarchy. Tiny is the second in command, being an 18-year-old quarter horse. Then there is Millie, being a three-year-old mustang. Quarter horses are seen as being the perfect horse for any style of riding, with their quick burst of speed and being known for being teachable and sturdy horses. Mustangs are seen as wild horses, being more difficult to train. Essential to the training process, a horse must be taught manners and be allowed to socialize with fellow horses and riders.
Vick speaks about how horses are in tune and feed off of the riders’ emotions. They can sense emotions better than the rider themselves. Through the connection of shared emotions, a bond is formed between rider and horse. The bond can often be compared to the love shared between owner and “man’s best friend.” Once in a lifetime a person will experience the shared bond between them and their pet. That pet becomes your best friend, someone you will remember for the rest of your life, and that bond carries over to horses and their riders too.
Meet Nicole Rios
I am a journalism major and senior at the University of Texas at Arlington. Previously a graduate from the Art Institute of Dallas with an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Photography, I focus my art on portraiture and event photography. I chose Journalism to highlight the importance of knowledge on everyday life.
In my spare time I like to attend music events that cover a wide range of genres. I also enjoy traveling, having been to 15 other states and one other country. Lastly, I like to read fiction and memoirs, adding books to my growing collection.
About AMA-UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by A Knight’s Tale.
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
