Prepping Tips for Your Senior Horse & Rider Session in Nebraska

So, when you're including your horse in your senior session, there’s a bit more planning

involved than just picking out outfits and showing up with a smile.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A little preplanning can make your whole senior horse and rider session run more smoothly

and help both you and your horse feel more relaxed.

Get Your Horse Spruced Up

Your horse doesn’t have to spend the whole day in the spa, but a few grooming tips to get them shined up will make a huge difference in your senior pictures with your horse.

If the weather cooperates, do a bath the day before or the morning of your session. If a bath isn’t realistic, a good brushing works too. Be sure to pay extra attention to the mane and tail to work out the tangles and clean up any mud, dust, or grass stains.

If you normally clip or trim your horse, I’d do that a week or two ahead of time instead of the day of the session, so in case there is an oops, it has time to grow out and hide it.

Basically, give them the same once-over you would if you were getting ready to head somewhere to compete.

Don’t Forget Their Accessories — Tack

This is an area that sometimes gets overlooked, but it is very important because your tack will definitely show in

your horse and rider senior pictures.

If you are using your saddle, bridle, halter, breast collar, or anything else, give it a good cleaning before the session. Wipe down the leather. Dust, dried sweat, and mud are not nice to see in pictures. Make sure to polish any silver on saddles, halters, or breast collars. Make it shine like new.

Also make sure your tack fits your horse properly. If not, make adjustments prior to your session.

Just like you and the outfits you have chosen, this is not the day to try a new look or something out of the ordinary. Keep it to what you and your horse know on session day.

Keep Your Horse Happy

You know your horse best.

If they act a little fresh, lunge them or go on a long ride to work off some of their excess energy before your equine senior photography session. Just enough to take the edge off so they pay attention to you and do what you ask.

Feeding…please feed them before the session. This way they are satisfied and cooperate as best they can. They won’t always be reaching to eat grass the whole time.

Most of All, Don’t Forget About YOU

After all, this is YOUR senior session!

Don’t spend all your time getting your horse ready that you cut yourself short.

Be sure to give yourself enough time to get fully ready and not be rushed! It would be a good idea to bring a helper. Somebody to help with outfit changes, swap tack, hold your horse, and get those last-minute things for you would be awesome.

Just to give you a little time to breathe.

Choose Outfits That Feel Like You

Bring outfits that are comfortable and feel like you. Jeans and boots, a favorite shirt, a dress, a nicer outfit, a cowboy hat, or even a prom or fancy dress is wonderful too.

Variety is always a good thing; choices are always nice to have.

Also be mindful of the colors in your outfits and how they work with your horse and tack. This helps create a more cohesive look in your final gallery of Central Nebraska senior pictures.

Most of all, wear something you feel confident in. If you’re comfortable and not constantly fiddling with your clothes, it shows in the pictures.

Keep It Simple

Your senior session with your horse should be a fun and memorable time.

Creating senior pictures that show you and the horse that has been such a large piece of your life is what makes this session so fun.

And if you’re stuck on choosing outfits, tack, or what will work best for your horse, send me pictures ahead of time. As a Nebraska senior photographer who works with horses, I’m happy to help you out.

If you’re ready to start planning your senior horse and rider session in Central Nebraska, use the link below to get started.