Seville photographer Manuel Naranjo Martell has documented Spain's ancient marshland horse tradition in his third photo book, linking Spanish herders to American cowboys.
The new work, titled Saca 1504, focuses on the annual Saca de las Yeguas horse gathering in the Doñana region of southern Spain. It examines the lives of local horsemen, known as yegüerizos, and traces the historical connections between traditional Spanish livestock handling and equestrian cultures across the Americas.
Born in Seville in 1988, Naranjo grew up surrounded by artistic influences. He is the son of Spanish painter Paco Naranjo and Janet Martell, an American art enthusiast. Naranjo has described his background as a bridge between America and Spain that strongly influences how he looks at the world. Working professionally as a photographer, he developed an early interest in horses through rural stories told by his father and paternal grandfather.
Naranjo visited the village of El Rocío for the first time on 26 June 2016. El Rocío is a famous hamlet located in the municipality of Almonte, within the province of Huelva in Andalusia. He explained that his initial trip was driven by a desire to experience the countryside traditions his father and grandfather had described from their own youth. Upon arriving, Naranjo said he fell in love with the marshland universe and the lifestyle of working on horseback.
During his time in the region, Naranjo also recognized cultural elements that felt familiar from his mother's American background. While international figures such as the American cowboy, the Mexican charro, and the South American gaucho are widely known, Naranjo noted that the historical root of these equestrian customs remains far less recognized. He emphasized that this tradition existed in the Lower Guadalquivir river basin long before horses were transported to the Americas, and remains active today among the families of Almonte.
Origins of the Saca de las Yeguas
Naranjo explained that the title of his book comes from the ancient livestock operation known as the Saca de las Yeguas. He noted that horse herding in the region likely predates 1504, as earlier historical references describe horses grazing freely across the local marshes.
However, the year 1504 marks a key milestone when the Third Duke of Medina Sidonia established formal ordinances regulating the grazing and handling of mares in Almonte. The House of Medina Sidonia is one of Spain's oldest noble families, historically controlling vast territory in Andalusia. Naranjo said that researching historical archives of the ducal house and other repositories revealed that his photographs captured a legacy with broad international resonance.
Transatlantic cattle and horse traditions
Naranjo stated that the Lower Guadalquivir and Doñana marshes should be recognized as a primary origin for the equestrian and ranching culture later established in the United States. He emphasized that the transfer involved not only horses and cattle, but also specific methods of livestock management.
Before the emergence of the American cowboy, Spanish vaqueros and yegüerizos were already managing livestock on horseback across vast open territories. Horses and mares were first shipped from the Iberian Peninsula to the Americas in 1493 during the second voyage of Christopher Columbus. Naranjo noted that these early voyages transported essential skills, practices, and livestock working techniques. He added that while visitors often remark that El Rocío resembles the American West, historical timeline suggests that the comparison should be reversed.
Naranjo described the yegüerizo as the central figure of this heritage, noting that knowledge is handed down through generations from grandfathers to grandsons and fathers to sons. In the marshland communities of Almonte, children routinely ride horses alongside their fathers or grandfathers before learning to walk. He remarked that this tradition maintains remarkable vitality today. Doñana National Park, situated near the Guadalquivir river delta, remains one of Europe's most significant wetland reserves.
Black and white imagery in the marshes
Explaining his decision to publish the project in black and white, Naranjo said monochromatic photography allows him to interpret scenes and sequences more deeply. He noted that removing color eliminates visual noise, making it easier to convey silence, mystery, and personal nostalgia.
Among his fondest memories of the marshes are the early lights of dawn during his first night sleeping outdoors in the area. Naranjo shared that he named his daughter Alba, the Spanish word for dawn, because that morning light left a lasting emotional impression. He also recalled spending starry nights in the marshes and holding long conversations with local horsemen during warm afternoons.
Despite focusing his work on equestrian culture, Naranjo revealed that he has rarely ridden horses himself. His first experience on horseback occurred in the United States, riding through the forests of Vermont alongside his father and brother. He explained that his deep respect for horses was inherited from his family and reinforced by watching the yegüerizos in Doñana, who treat horses as equals.
Naranjo also noted his daughter's early fascination with horses, sharing that one of her first words was tatayo, her infant word for horse. He expressed a hope that her connection with horses will remain throughout her life, adding that working with horses offers valuable lessons about oneself.
