Page 46 - NMHBA Spring 2021

A MOMENT IN TIME
A poor photograph is usually the result of poor planning and preparation.
A hair coat that is too long obscures muscle definition and condition. The more muscle definition shown the better the photograph.
they begin to think about next year’s advertising and this time of the year usually doesn’t have the stallion looking his best. He may be thin and have begun to show some winter coat, particularly at higher altitudes. Manes are rubbed out, tails chewed off and other damage done to his physical appearance such as scrapes
and cuts. A thin horse may be in excellent condition however no one likes to look at a photo where the ribs are prominent and this occurs quite often after a long breeding season or if the horse has just come off of the track.
A hair coat that is too long obscures muscle definition and condition. The more muscle definition shown the better the photograph. There is not much that can be done to salvage a chewed tail, and the lack of a tail of decent length has ruined many a picture. Manes can sometimes be taped or roached, but this is a poor substitute for a natural appearing mane. Proper grooming of the horse for a photo session is no different than what one would do if the animal was to be shown in a halter class. The bridal path should be neatly clipped, as well as the fetlocks and muzzle. The muzzle is particularly important if photographs of the head are to be done. Clipping the ears has its pros and cons. A complete job, including the
insides of the ear itself is not always desirable since the removal of all hair deprives the horse of protection against flying insects. Clipping only the hair around the outside edge of the ear serves just as well and many times is much easier on the horse as well as on the person doing the clipping. Pulling and thinning the mane should be done carefully so that weeds, burrs and other assorted trash a horse can pick up are removed. Tangles and knots should be combed out and the mane thinned enough so that it lies naturally. The tail wrap should be left full and if it is bushy at the rump, use a tail wrap an hour or so before the photo session.
A horse, like humans, has natural oils in his skin that give the hair brilliance and vitality and again, like humans, frequent washings remove these oils and stop the hair from showing natural highlights. This is not to say that baths are undesirable however a bath on photo day will often give the hair coat a dull and lifeless appearance. It is preferable to use
a vacuum to remove dirt and loose hair and a brisk brushing with a dandy brush right before taking pictures will lift the oils onto the hair and give the brilliant highlights that make an outstanding photo.
A fresh shoeing job can sometimes defeat the best efforts of the photographer and handler. If the farrier trims a little too close and exposes some sensitive tissue the horse may constantly shift his weight back and forth and go thru other contortions trying to find a more comfortable position. There is nothing to be done about this problem and the best cure prevention. Do the necessary work a week or more before the photo session is scheduled.
Having a good fly spray on hand, especially during the summer, can turn out to be the handler’s and the photographer’s best friend. No horse will long endure harassment by a band of pesky insects and once he begins to resist the invasion any thought of obeying the handler or cooperating with the photographer are gone. The best procedure is to spray the horse at least an hour before the photo session and again right after he is taken to the area selected. Above all, don’t take him into any area known to harbor an army of mosquitos unless you enjoy spending your time being run over or chasing after your horse.
Probably the most important part of the physical preparation is an objective analysis
of the animal’s conformation points by the owner or manager. Despite the record breaking prices that have been paid for horseflesh in recent years, there is no such thing as the perfect horse. Recognizing the good and not-so good is necessary to help the photographer to emphasize the good and deemphasize the not-so good. Horses, like people can have good and
44 New Mexico Horse Breeder