5 Tips to Prepare Your Horse for A Photoshoot

One question I am always asked is how they should prepare their horse for a photoshoot. Whether it is an equine background shoot or a horse-and-rider shoot, here are some of my suggestions.

Number 1

Give your horse time to eat before your photoshoot. A hungry horse is an unhappy horse—and an unhappy model. Ensuring your horse has ad-lib access to good-quality hay or haylage for at least two hours before the session helps keep them relaxed, content, and focused. This simple step goes a long way toward making sure we don’t start the shoot with a distracted or hungry horse, allowing for a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Number 2

Give them a good workout the day before. When we are taking photos, we often ask our horses to stand in a particular pose for a period. Horses naturally are not horses that like to stand still for long periods of time; take that and combine it with a horse that also has a high energy level, and they are going to be especially antsy. Giving your horse a good ride or a lunge the night before, or the take off (taking me for bathing and grooming), into account to make for a much more cooperative horse.

Number 3

Grooming — this is definitely one of the most important steps when it comes to an equine photoshoot! A thorough groom helps your horse look their best and feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. Take time to brush away dirt and dust, clean legs and hooves, and wipe down the face and eyes. Paying attention to details like trimmed whiskers (if appropriate), a neat mane, and a clean tail can make a massive difference in the final images.

If possible, plan to bathe your horse either the day before or the day of the shoot, allowing plenty of time for them to fully dry. This helps prevent damp coats, dust sticking to wet hair, or rub marks from blankets and tack. Bathing ahead of time ensures your horse’s coat looks clean, shiny, and smooth when we start the session—without any last-minute stress.

Number 4

Choosing your locations. Often, there are places at the barn that our horses are not accustomed to going to, and sometimes that can be a little scary to our four-legged friends. On the day of, I always help choose the best locations based on lighting and background. I often recommend taking your horse for a walk around the property and through the areas you think you would like to shoot, to help show them that nothing scary is happening there. Horses photograph better in situations they are comfortable in!

Number 5

Patience — This is truly one of the most important elements of any equine photoshoot. We’re working with large, intuitive animals who—let’s be honest—have minds of their own. Horses are wonderfully individual, each with their own personality, moods, and comfort levels, which means no two sessions are ever the same.

Flexibility is key. Being prepared to slow down, take breaks, or adjust the plan as needed allows your horse to stay relaxed and confident. And that’s more than okay—it’s encouraged. When horses feel at ease, that’s when the magic happens. Some of the most meaningful, authentic moments are the ones we never plan for, unfolding naturally when patience leads the way.