WILD HORSES AND ME: GORDON BUCHANAN EMBARKS ON A JOURNEY OF CANADA'S ROCKY MOUNTAINS

As summer comes to a close, wildlife presenter Gordon Buchanan ventures deep into the epic majesty of Canada’s Rocky Mountains in search of wild horses. Powerful, dangerous and elusive, they are icons of the untamed West, yet these horses are surprisingly overlooked by science, and their wild lives remain largely undocumented. Gordon aims to change that.

Gordon said: "My love of horses runs deep - they have grace, strength and spirit in every stride. Going one step further and getting to know wild horses for the first time, and doing in the breathtaking landscape of the Canadian Rockies made my heart sing. These remarkable animals are a lesson in boundless freedom, and to film with them was one of the most uplifting and life affirming experiences of my 30-year career."

Set against the stunning peaks, open grasslands, and shadowy pine forests, he finds a family group of two competing stallions, two mares and their two young foals.  Which of the two stallions will earn the right to lead the herd?  Why does the younger stallion, “Red” want to keep his band away from the super-herd that gathers every day, as they seek out protection from ravenous grizzly bears looking to fatten up for winter?

To understand more about the horses, and this unusual family dynamic in particular, Gordon immerses himself into their world, attempting to befriend them, earn their trust, and experience their lives from within a herd of wild horses, something that hasn’t been attempted before.

Gordon must move carefully and think like a wild horse. But it’s not without its dangers; one well-placed kick could be fatal. So he must learn to read the subtle language of flicking ears, stamping hooves and quiet glances that reveal what they’re trying to tell each other about him, uncovering their complex intelligence and close family bonds.

As he begins to gain acceptance into the herd, he discovers that they face a greater danger than wild predators: the threat of being culled. He realises the devastating impact this would have on family groups, the fragile ecosystems they help to shape, and would erase a living symbol of the West’s untamed history.

Gordon Buchanan: Wild Horses and Me, a 1x60’ is made by Hello Halo for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer.