Preparation brochure for Horses
GENERAL INFO
Lights, Camera, Action
In this blog, I have compiled some invaluable tips and preparations to help you make the most of your upcoming photoshoot. By following these guidelines and getting everything in order, you’re already one step closer to ensuring a successful and enjoyable experience. So, let’s dive in and discover the key steps you need to take before your shoot to set yourself up for excellence! At the end of this blog, you’ll find a handy checklist to ensure you haven’t missed anything important. Let’s make this photoshoot a resounding success together!
Horse preparation
To begin with, the horse must be neatly cleaned and possibly washed. Comb the mane and tail cleanly, clean the hooves, clean the eyes, clean the nose, trim the ears.
Dotting or braiding can be very beautiful, but does not suit every horse, every shoot. I think braiding is nice when riding, but then again not so nice when it comes to connection or action photos, then I think the loose natural mane has the most.
To make the coat shine that little more, you can spray it with shine spray and then go over with a cloth or washcloth.
To get the hooves neat, it is best to take a (scouring) sponge and a bucket of water. For maintenance and easy to keep neat, white socks can also be shaved on the legs.
Feeling unsure about what to bring for your upcoming shoot? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Read through till the end, and I’ll provide you with a handy checklist that will ensure you’re well-prepared for the task ahead. Stay tuned and get ready to make your shoot a seamless and successful experience!
For example, a horse with a narrow neck and a beautiful long mane: let them loose and long! If you start dotting with this horse, that narrow neck comes forward instead of the beautiful long mane.
For example, a horse with a nice, muscular neck and short mane: dots can be very nice here, they can bring out the muscular neck even more. Also in a theme ‘competition’ or riding, dotting should not be missing. With a non-competition or riding theme, it is better to let them go neatly, so you see your horse as he/she is.
DON’T: Grease white hooves with black grease, the white hooves will still appear when you have walked through grass or sand!
TIPS: You can clean your horse’s face and eyes with wet wipes, grease the hooves with corn oil and use gloss spray over the body, then go over it with a washcloth = shine!
Owners
Keep it basic, tidy, casual. For example, neat riding breeches, jeans or shorts with a blouse or polo. Make sure you wear plain clothes without a lot of patterns or inscriptions. This makes it a lot easier for me to get rid of disturbing elements.
Also make sure your shoes are clean and bring an extra pair of stockings and shoes. I find that I work a lot in wet grass or even on the beach. Bringing an extra outfit can be useful to go home dry.
When riding, not in theme (casual), ride with your helmet. A photo shoot is special for some, but safety is so important.
If you work in theme, make sure you not only make up your horse, but also look for yourself. A nice dress and a pin can finish it off, but don’t exaggerate too much! Too much ‘stuff’ can distract you from the subject. That’s why I like to keep it simple, often it is: ‘less is more’. A total package theme can then complete the net, for example, a knight with his horse; it just needs a lot to make it complete.
TIP: to clean your leather without greasing: leather wipes.
Materials
Most need something to lead their horse anyway. Bridle, halter, string, … These must therefore look neat. It is not pleasant for either of us to have a halter full of mud in the picture. Colour: as neutral as possible unless it fits into a certain theme.
Also when riding: bridle, saddle, tendon boots, bandages, saddle cloth, whip, … make sure you have a clean set here too. When putting on a bridle: let the reins hang from the bridle. You can use it to lead your horse and without it can give a weird, sometimes unnatural effect. Especially with bar and snaffle this is a real “Don’t”. Only portrait photos of the head can be this beautiful.
Don’t put on saddle or tendon boots or bandages for portraits next to the horse unless you just want to promote your tack, but I’m not exactly the photographer for that unless we’ve agreed otherwise. Also loose photos are best as natural as possible; completely free!
I have several photography halters for the so-called “loose” horse.
During the shoot you can use my dresses or you can use your own clothes. I do ask that you send a photo of your outfit in advance. Such that it is compatible with my photo style.
Location
This one is sometimes the hardest. As a photographer in a new environment I really see everything that can be interesting. Still, it is important to take a look around your own neighbourhood. Is the stable itself a nice location? Take a look around which places are nice. Many stables have a field or road a little further away in the area. A float or higher lawn is also always very nice.
What is suitable now?
A path or alley or field where no buildings can be seen ahead, preferably trees. Fields may have high grass with horses, with ponies this may be a bit longer, but they must not fall away between the grass where you have to look for a pony. Then you better choose a lawn without tall grass. I am always looking for where the sun rises and sets, because this is a very important detail for the photos. I also always look for trees to work with. A large rural landscape is always nice, but then I only work with sunrise and sunset. Fields with flowers (large +) or pieces of weeds I can almost always do something with.
For black photos: a dark stable or doorway, otherwise this is not possible!
Don’t have a nice area nearby? Then look to move if necessary. If you are moving, make sure you have permission from the owner to enter that location with your horse.
You can move but don’t know a nice location? You can also always ask friends about nice walking routes, often you will come across a field or lane that you can enter. Always meet me at the nearest place or parking lot where we are going to shoot, I like to walk into a piece of forest, but I prefer not to walk on the street for half an hour to the location with a heavy backpack.
Training
With 2 or more horses in the picture? Practice with someone that your horses stand or walk nicely together without a problem. An extra person and distractors can really be a must. Although it should be as calm as possible during the photo shoot. It can also always be useful to train on not-eating-grass-in-a-field or taking off your lead rope or keeping it on a rope halter. . When removing material, it is best to keep some treats for the horse’s attention.
Theme
A theme can always give something nice to a shoot. Do you want to make this your work? Then think about what exactly can make a fun but especially useful contribution during the shoot.
Ideas: Flowers, hair clips in the horse’s mane, put on a nice dress and curl or straighten your hair, flower in your own hair, depending on the theme you can put something on your horse’s head (e.g. horns, harness, …) .
A theme therefore does not have to be extremely planned. Themes from movies, series or fairy tales can also be a lot of fun. I personally prefer a horse that is pure nature and a nice dress for the women, a shirt and jeans for the men.
How do you get nice gadgets? Well, long live the internet and your own creativity! You can easily make flower pins by buying flowers and sticking them on a pin. Horns (diadem) or armor (use of an ear net) from papier-mache that you have painted afterwards. There are countless ways to make something and not always difficult! Many jewelry shops also have nice flower pins for a small price.
I also have a number of dresses that can be used during photo shoots. If you are interested you can pass on your size, then I will bring what I have lying around. I also have very nice wreaths that can give a beautiful extra touch, I will also take it for free on request! Dotting or braiding can be beautiful, but doesn’t suit every horse, every shoot.
Before the shoot:
- Please pass on specific wishes in advance
- Always describe your location (with photos & video’s)
- Want to wear special clothing? Contact me
- Book in advance
- Payment in advance at the time of booking
During the shoot:
- Sufficient time, no stress
- Guidance before and during the shoot
- Photo halsters always at my disposal
- Flexibility in case of weather conditions
After the shoot:
- Additional ordering is always possible
- Choose your own photos
Type of photo shoots I offer:
- Portraits of horses
- Detailed shots of your horse
- Connection between man and animal
- Horses in action
- Black photos with natural light
- Events within the equestrian sector
- Corporate photography within the equestrian sector
All content Copyright © 2025 Sarah Hoornaert Photography