Appaloosa News Monthly – April 2022

Practice Makes Perfect

The worst time to see if your horse is comfortable taking photos is during the shoot.

Even the most calm and compliant horses can turn into anxious beasts during a shoot. While we can never truly predict our horse’s behavior, having more time and exposure under their belt is always a huge plus.

At least a week before your session, make sure your horse is desensitized to anything they may be exposed to during your session. Have a practice photoshoot with a friend and a cell phone camera.  This could include being in areas where you may take your photos, standing still for a long period of time, getting their ears up, placing their feet square, and of course, testing your wardrobe!

If you plan to wear a big hat, flowing dress, or any other piece of clothing that has the potential to spook, introduce it to them early so they have time to be comfortable around it. I’ve seen sessions where the client wants to take photos riding their horse in a long dress, but the horse hasn’t been properly prepared and spooks at the flowing fabric.

Our goal as photographers is to keep our clients and their horses safe and having fun during their shoot. To make sure the photoshoot stays a fun and safe environment, it’s very important to go over these things before the photographer ever arrives so you and your horse are confident when it’s time to shoot. Be sure to get your trainer involved as well if needed.