Livestock Kill Pen, Bowie, TX

Sunhorse Foundation

2026 · Documentary

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Bowie, Texas, alongside renowned jewelry designer and passionate animal activist Jes MaHarry, to document a cause close to her heart. In Bowie exists what is grimly known as a "kill pen" — a place where horses and donkeys are auctioned off and sold to slaughter, destined for a grueling 20-hour truck ride to Mexico. Jes and her daughter Zela are the driving force behind the Sunhorse Foundation, an organization that accepts donations to purchase and rescue these animals from that devastating fate. Behind the camera, it was nearly impossible to remain detached — the sight of these creatures facing such a harsh end was profoundly heartbreaking. Yet amid the heaviness, there were moments of genuine hope, as the Sunhorse Foundation was able to save many of the animals that day, giving them a second chance at a life they deserve. It was a very emotionally charged shoot, shining a light on a hidden world that too few people know exists.