| In this day of internet commerce, many people buy | | | | out as well as you would hope. Get photos from the |
| and sell horses sight unseen. I have done both several | | | | side with the horse standing on all four feet, looking |
| times with success. But have you ever wondered why | | | | alert. Get photos from both sides, from the front (don't |
| that wonderful horse you have advertised hasn't sold | | | | be too close or it will look like a giant head) and from |
| even after you sent photos or video to prospective | | | | the back to show those straight legs. |
| buyers? You know he or she is a great horse. You've | | | | Getting the horse looking alert and not half asleep can |
| seen him out in the pasture strutting his stuff. You | | | | be done by taking a trick from show photographers. |
| know he handles well, has correct conformation, good | | | | They usually have something of interest that the horse |
| legs and feet, and a wonderful disposition. If it's a riding | | | | will focus on. The point is not to scare them, but to get |
| horse, you know that he can and will do whatever is | | | | their attention-ears up, neck somewhat arched. A big |
| expected without fuss and in a stylish way. In addition, | | | | mirror, feedbag, milk carton with pebbles in it, an |
| he positively gleams in the sunlight when he is clean. | | | | umbrella, anything that they aren't familiar with will do. |
| To top it off, you have him priced reasonably. | | | | This has the added advantage of getting them used to |
| Why, then isn't the buyer jumping to get him? Well, it | | | | odd things. |
| may not be the horse's fault. The problem may just lie | | | | With video, there is the opportunity to show what the |
| in the photos or video you are sending to represent | | | | horse can do and how he does it. Even young ones |
| this wonderful animal. Don't send something you feel a | | | | can do things like stand for haltering, lead willingly, |
| need ahead of time to apologize for. Spend a little | | | | perhaps stand tied or load in a trailer. Don't forget to |
| more time and effort to get quality samples of what | | | | show those things as well as some of the animal |
| you have to sell. Start off with a groomed horse. No | | | | moving out. |
| one really wants to see nitty gritty wads of dirt,green | | | | Horses under saddle should be shown being caught, |
| manure stains, tangled manes, and unkempt horses. | | | | groomed, saddled, and ridden. Hopefully, you will have |
| Bathe your horse, or at least brush to a shine. Coat | | | | worked your horse enough in the weeks beforehand |
| conditioner will help tame the mane and tail. White | | | | and warmed him up sufficiently to get your best ride. If |
| markings should be really white so they will show up. | | | | not, shoot it again the next day or the next. Don't send |
| If possible, photograph or video during the fall or late | | | | a tape saying that he is really better than what the |
| spring when coats look their best, but, especially on | | | | viewer will be seeing. Prove it. |
| young stock which is growing and changing so fast, | | | | If you have the equipment, take the time to do any |
| you might be taking photos/video during their wooly | | | | video editing that might be needed to get rid of |
| stages. Granted, there may be lots of hair, but it should | | | | unattractive parts. Folks don't need to see the ground |
| be clean and neat. Clipping feathers on the fetlocks | | | | when you forgot to turn the camera off and started |
| makes the horse's legs look more refined. The head | | | | walking, they don't really need to see the horse proving |
| shows up better and much prettier if the hair under the | | | | that his bodily functions really work, or be made |
| chin is trimmed and the jowl is defined. If there has | | | | seasick in sections where the camera got wiggly. Cut |
| been a bridlepath cut, it needs to be reclipped so it is | | | | those out. This also gives you a copy of the video to |
| not standing up like a mohawk. | | | | keep and not have to do all over again if someone |
| Next consider where to take the photos/video. Yes, | | | | else wants video before the first one, hopefully, is |
| you're trying to sell the horse, notyour farm, but the | | | | returned. (Be sure to label and put your address on the |
| background can say a lot about your horse's care. Try | | | | video if you hope to get it back.) |
| to find a spot to shoot where there is not clutter or | | | | Yes, this takes some time and effort, but the payoff |
| distracting items to compete for the viewer's attention. | | | | will come when the prospective buyer has a clear idea |
| You don't need to have the horse being shown around | | | | of your horse and knows what is being offered. Then |
| equipment, feeders, round bales, etc. | | | | it's just a matter of whether the horse matches the |
| For the best shots, try to find a contrasting | | | | buyer's wants and needs. Without that good video or |
| background. A dark horse in front of a dark | | | | snapshot, the buyers might not realize that you did |
| background is not going to show up very well, even | | | | have exactly what was being sought and move on to |
| with a color photo, whereas a grey would. In taking | | | | someone else's horses in their quest for the perfect |
| photos shoot lots of pictures. Most of them won't turn | | | | horse for them. |