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Julien Girardot

Like many islanders, Vohi regularly goes on a pig hunt after dark. He is one of the few that still does it on horseback, however.

After a day on horseback, riders set up the camp in a small cave. In the early morning they will hunt wild pigs in the depth of the valley.

Ua Huka is blanketed in a cloak of green during the rainy season, though the area is normally overdry throughout the year.

Like many islanders, Vohi makes a living in the copra industry and uses his horse to carry the bags. The coconut flesh will be dried and then sold to the Tahiti oil mill to make the famous 'monoi', a cosmetic coconut oil.

Marquesan horsemen build their own saddles using local wood. They are usually shaped to carry bags of copra, or dried coconut.

Patricia has lived with Paco for 30 years on the island of Hiva Oa and he taught her how to ride. They live in harmony with their horses who sometimes solicit small gourmet treats from the kitchen.

Paco grew up in Ua Huka surrounded by the traditions of the Marquesan horse. He now owns his own ranch with a dozen beautiful mounts.

Vohi regularly captures wild horses in the hills of Ua Huka with his friends. He has been practising this high-risk activity since a very young age.

Jérémie and his horse, Teken, take a traditional seawater bath at Atuona Beach.

Vohi patiently works to gain the trust of his horses. Each stage in the training process is crucial in reaching harmony between the man and the horse. He regularly speaks to them in the Marquesan language and calls them by imitating their neigh.