Page 47 - NMHBA Spring 2021

A MOMENT IN TIME
bad sides photographically speaking, and many factors are responsible for this phenomenon.
As a general rule, the best side is that which
has symmetry and balance. If the horse has a thick neck, don’t let the mane become thick and heavy for this only calls attention to the neck.
If the neck has a distinct crest a well groomed mane will tend to smooth out the neck line. Be as honest as you can in your evaluation and don’t expect the camera to overcome every conformation fault.
The subject of physical preparation cannot be left without a word or two about physical condition. A horse that is always left in a stall or small run doesn’t have the opportunity to develop and maintain muscle tone that gives the muscle definition necessary for a quality portrait. Reasonable exercise over an extended period (not the day before) will provide the proper muscle tone and deter the formulation of “Hay Belly” that can destroy a good underline. Some daily exercise also prevents the situation where the horse comes out of the barn on both back legs pawing the air with reckless abandon while the handler coyly remarks, “This is
the first time he’s been out in a week.” This kind of behavior rapidly discourages even the most determined photographer. The subject
of physical preparation is for the most part a matter of common sense and the acceptance
of the fact that good equine portraits are a function of planning.
Although not a matter of “physical” preparation the halter is an indispensable tool for controlling the horse and as such, will be seen in most portraits and more prominently, in those that emphasize the head or front quarter. For most of us is the horse industry, a well proportioned head with a refined muzzle, large keen eyes and for a stallion, a masculine jaw is
a thing of beauty and desirable in a breeding animal as well as a distinct “plus” in any horse
A horse that is always
left in a stall or small
run doesn’t have the opportunity to develop and maintain muscle tone that gives the muscle definition necessary for
a quality portrait.
offered for sale. It doesn’t make much more sense to cover up a fine head with a halter made to fit a water buffalo or is patched together out of three different colors of nylon webbing. A good halter conforms closely to the contours
of the head. The throat strap fits snugly under the throatlatch and the noseband is halfway between the nostrils and the eyes. The cheek strap fits parallel along the nose, about halfway between the forehead and the lower jaw. The halter should fit well on the poll and not hang down the neck. The halter should complement and not distract from the natural lines of the head and in the bargain be sturdy and strong. The lead shank should complement the halter and not be composed of an old bull rope. A
lead shank should be attached so that it does not cause the halter to hang down on one side and up on the other, The minimum amount of chain necessary for restraint should show in the photo and ideally, the lead shank should only be attached to the bottom ring of the halter. Whether this is possible or not depends on the amount of mental conditioning that has gone into the preparation. Mental conditioning can be defined as the situation wherein the horse willingly accepts the desires of the handler insofar as he is physically able and with a minimum of cursing, violent jerking on the lead shank and physical abuse. Consider the mental conditioning that most show horses undergo.
A horse that is conditioned for the show ring must, very early in life, learn obedience to
the handler. There is no room in the highly competitive show ring for an ill-mannered animal and in most cases, this type of behavior is not tolerated. The show horse is conditioned to stand and hold a pose, which gives the
photographer more shooting time. How long a horse can stand motionless is often the leading factor in achieving a portrait that really “sells” the animal. It allows the handler and the photographer to concentrate on the details and concern themselves with the fine points that separate the mediocre from the excellent. Obviously, not every horse is going to have
the education given to show horses, however discipline, even in stallions, is the mark of a competent horseman.
It would not be fair to leave the subject
of control without mentioning self control. Patience is one of the most admired of human traits and in the case of horse photography is well worth cultivating. In the Third Century, B.C., the Roman Titus Maccius Platus
wrote, “Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.” His good advice is still good today. Impatience on the part of the handler will be communicated in rather short order to the horse and a nervous animal is very difficult
to pose for a photograph. In some cases, the impatience of the handler is a more difficult problem to deal with than a unmannerly horse. Good manners are necessary at both ends of the lead shank.
Good equine photography stands out because of its rarity, and no one will appreciate a good portrait of a good horse more than a good horseman. If the expense of maintaining breeding facilities, feed, veterinarian care and advertising are considered, the amount of
effort that is put into producing top quality photographs of animals you wish to market is relatively small. The success or failure of that effort, however, can sometimes be an important factor in the future of your business.
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