Horses gallop in the Patagonian village of Chaitén—near the volcano with the same name—on May 4, 2008. The Chilean Navy brought feed for livestock abandoned by evacuated farmers after the mountain began spewing ash, and veterinarians are attempting to minimize the effects of the dust as well as toxic gas.
First brought to Patagonia by Spanish settlers, horses are now common transportation for tourists and locals alike. Gauchos bred the strong, sure-footed criollo breed to herd livestock, and hundreds now roam wild.