As winter fades and nature awakens, spring is just the perfect time to capture the beauty of your horse in a stunning photoshoot. However, getting your horse photo-ready takes a bit of planning to ensure they look and feel their best.
From grooming and preparation to choose the right setting and ensuring a relaxed experience, these five essential tips will help you and your horse step into spring with confidence- ready to celebrate unforgettable images that celebrate your bond.
Deep clean & condition
I don't need to tell you, after winter horses coats are often greasy, muddy and scurfy regardless of whether they have been rugged or not! Lets not even get started on the winter coats they are shedding.
- Regular brushing will help remove loose hair and will start to bring out the natural shine.
- A warm bath (if the weather allows) will remove any stubborn dirt and scurf, especially on greys and white markings!
- If the weather doesn't allow for a full bath, hot clothing will help remove any grime in the coat, this is particularly good for clipped horses.
- A sheen spray or conditioning treatment afterwards will ensure a healthy glossy coat, and repel a few stains. Please be careful using sprays around tack areas, as your tack may slip!
Trim & tidy up
Whether you have a native pony/ traditional cob type or more of a competition type. There is plenty you can trim and tidy to give a polished look.
- Gently trim along the jaw line, outer edge of the ears and bridle path (if you have one) with some quiet trimmers. The Fetlocks can also be trimmed on a non native pony. Top tip, use the graders over the blades, that come with the trimmers for a seamless look.
- Please do not trim off whiskers around the muzzle for my sake.
- If you prefer the natural looking mane, carefully teasing out a few of the longer hairs in the mane with your fingers will tidy the mane without it looking pulled.
- For a competition type, consider if you would like your horse plaited for the photoshoot for that highly polished look.
- Clean and moisturise hooves, to prevent dry, cracked hooves from showing in close-ups, your farrier will probably love you for it too!
Give your tack a deep clean!
No excuses! Clean your tack. You are welcome to change your horse's tack in the photoshoot, in fact I recommend it!
- Clean bridles, headcollars and lead ropes (yes! clean your lead ropes, or consider buying a new dark coloured one. If I had a penny for every time I seen a beautiful leather headcollar and the most scabbiest dirty lead rope... well you get the picture.
- Clean your saddle, saddle pad and girth too if you are planning for ridden shots.
Consider your outfit choices
Whether you are a huge matchy matchy fan or not. Please consider your outfit choices, we have enough time for you to switch up your outfits.
Plan for calm & focus
A relaxed horse makes for a relaxed owner and needless to say the best photos!
- Plan your ridden work and turnout with your horse in the days leading up to the photoshoot. If your horse is particularly spicy or easily excitable, make sure they are ridden regularly in the weeks before, and maybe on the morning of the photoshoot.
- Bring a calm friend to help you on the day, this is useful for outfit changes and for keeping horses engaged in the photoshoot itself! Ears forward!
- If you have a particular location in mind, work with your horse in that area to ensure they are happy and confident.
Ready to capture the magic of Spring with your horse?
Start preparing today and make your photoshoot an unforgettable experience! If you are looking for a photographer who understands the beauty of the equine bond, lets create something truly special.
