The second annual #earsieweek is upon us. And it’s all happening on our Instagram (check us out @cowboypoetrygathering).
What’s an “earsie” you ask? It’s a photo shot by a rider, with their horse’s ears in the frame. So, instead of the ever-ubiquitous social media “selfie” where the camera is turned on oneself, an “earsie” turns the camera out to the world that the photo-taker sees. And, more than that, an earsie specifically highlights the world one sees from horseback.
Some of the earsies shared with us on Instagram in 2021, submitted by (left to right, from top): Amy M. Hale, Annie Mackenzie, Dylan Clough, Madison Mori, Jon Griggs, Kent Reeves, Kristin Cather Woods, Kristin Windbigler, Mackie Griggs, Michael Shields, Miriam Smith, Terry Nash.
Earsies have been floating around the internet for a handful of years, but last year we decided to give them an organized boost. While we post earsies throughout the year, during #earsieweek the Western Folklife Center coordinates a daily campaign to tag, share, and boost earsies on Instagram. We collect earsies and encourage people to tag us #earsieweek year round. But, we’re really going all out this week! Not only is this great fun, but it underscores our mission to use story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
During the pandemic, many became drawn to sharing photos on social media of the views from their windows. Through these snapshots, people all over the world got to travel vicariously and to get a small glimpse into the settings of other peoples’ jobs and homes. A view out onto a Turkish veranda might show a just-finished Turkish coffee and the blue straits of the Bosphorus. A snapshot from a Norwegian cottage might show a rolling hill adorned with evergreen boughs, a garden starting to sprout, and an orange tabby curled up on the windowsill. A bedroom view from Iran might show neighboring brick walls and a sill full of flowers and succulents in clay pots. Everyone’s spot in the world is unique, as is their small angle of view out onto the world. A photo can never tell the whole story, but it can give a sense of place that sometimes words just can’t.
It’s hard to say if earsie is like the cowboy window swap… or window swap is like the housebound earsie. What we do know is that when your view is from a horse looking out onto the range… that’s an earsie! And we are here for it. As our Programs Administrator Marianne Molland said when she saw Dylan and Madison’s earsies (pictured above), “here in the office, we’re drooling over the view from your “office spaces.” Cowboying is hard work, and we think a great view is a much deserved benefit!”
You’ve shared sweeping mountain vistas from between the ears of a quarter horse, the behinds of herds driven down a well-worn trail through the ears of a cattle horse, and the trusty body language of a cowdog just in front of an Arabian's perky pair. We’ve seen snow and heat, dust and clouds, mountains and meadows, all from behind the furry, glorious ears of your trusty steed. It’s a breathtaking array of views, situations, and seasons from a collection of still frames. Individually, and in combination, they tell quite a story. And, as you earsie takers know, a horse’s ears themselves can tell whole stories.
Earsie submitted by Jim Crotts (photo by Janis Crotts).
Jim Crotts shared this 2012 earsie moment from the Corncob Ranch in Spray Oregon. About the pic, Jim said, “I’m on Mickey, my quarter horse, who does everything for me. We are partnered up deep enough to make you cry. My wife, Janis, took the picture from her Polish Arabian, Jazz, who shares no less love with Janis.” We don’t know about you, but that feels about as deep as a social media campaign can get.
It’s deep. It’s fun. It’s a nice nod to horses and nature. And to your work and your corners of the world. So, we’ve made it an annual thing.
Saddle up for the 3rd week of October - that’s this week! - and share your earsies with us. Tag #earsieweek and share with us @cowboypoetrygathering.
We can’t wait to see what the world looks like from your mount.
