Tips for Taking Christmas Horse Photos

Adding holiday decor to your horse Christmas photos doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful—it can be as simple or creative as you want it to be.  

“One of my favorites is the classic look: a wreath,” says Rachel Griffin, a wholly obsessed horse nerd-turned-photographer based in Oklahoma. “But not just a gigantic round one you pick up at the hobby store. Trust me, your horse won’t be happy if you try to force that over their head. And it tends to sit poorly on their necks.” 

Instead, Griffin recommends using artificial garlands, which can be adjusted to fit around the horse’s neck and connect at the withers. Some photographers use pre-made garlands, but she prefers to DIY, adding ornaments, bows, and accessories for a personal touch. 

Beyond the traditional wreath, you can also try: 

• Tinsel around the neck 
• Reindeer antlers for your horse (you can match with a pair too) 

• A Santa theme: Santa hat, horse blanket or saddle pad, harness, halter

• A snowy scene with real or fake snow 
• Evergreen trees (real or artificial) 
• Stockings filled with holiday horse treats 

• Holiday-themed horse clothing 
• Strings of holiday lights 

“If your horse isn’t too into strange items on his body, you can think of ways to pose near Christmas items,” she adds. “A horse reaching down to sniff a big present, for example, is always a cute image.” 

Taking time to prepare the shoot will help things go more smoothly, make the session more enjoyable for both you and your horse, and set you up for the dreamy holiday photos you’ve envisioned.  

That preparation starts a few days in advance—with grooming. 

Griffin recommends grooming your horse like you would for your most important show of the year.  

Show prep varies by breed and discipline, but it all starts with a bath. Griffin suggests shampooing your horse a day or two before to bring out the natural coat shine. Bathing in winter when your horse has long hair is not advisable, as horses can have a hard time drying.    

Daily currying with a comb, like the Roma Curry Comb Horse Brush, helps bring out the natural oils in your horse’s coat for a high-gloss sheen.  

Brush the mane and tail with the Tough-1 Great Grip Mane & Tail Horse Brush, then finish with a conditioner like Healthy HairCare Hair Moisturizer Concentrate or a detangler like Absorbine ShowSheen to complete the look. 

“Don’t neglect the face,” Griffin says. “I find the face can often be neglected in final-touch grooming, but that’s one area you really want to define your horse’s features.”

Griffin recommends using a small, softer curry and a soft face brush, like the Decker Manufacturing Company Face Horse Brush, as well as using a damp rag to collect dust off the face. 

If bathing isn’t an option, you can still get great results with heavy currying in the days before, spot-cleaning with a waterless shampoo or green spot remover and finishing with a damp cloth.  

If your horse tolerates it, a grooming vacuum can also clean up loose dust and debris.  

And if your horse has a thick winter coat, don’t worry about making them look sleek—just aim for clean and shiny. 

“Another option for extra-cold elements is to schedule your holiday portraits in the warmer months or early fall,” Griffin says. “You can even plan Christmas portraits in July.” 

“The benefits are twofold,” she continues. “You and your horse aren’t freezing in December, and you’ll receive your images with plenty of time to design and send out Christmas cards.” 

While holiday props add festive charm, they can also be overwhelming for some horses.  

Decorations like wreaths, garlands, and costumes can stress some horses if introduced too quickly. 

“Holiday decorations can be quite triggering for many horses, especially young or inexperienced ones,” says Cliff Schadt Jr., a trainer, clinician, and owner of Cliff Schadt Performance Horsemanship in Elkton, Maryland. “It is vital to bear this in mind and adopt a gradual approach when introducing [the decorations] to your horse.” 

“Start in a secure environment, such as a round pen or arena, or even a stall in the barn,” Schadt says.  

Introduce a flag or other flowy material to see how your horse reacts to something new.  

“If your horse exhibits discomfort or resistance when you move a flag over various parts of their body, it is likely that they will not be receptive to decorations,” Schadt says. 

Use rhythmic movement with a flag, especially passing from one eye to the other, to gauge their comfort level. 

“When introducing anything new, it is essential to ensure that your horse does not feel trapped,” Schadt says. “I refrain from attaching any decorations to my horse until I am confident that they are entirely comfortable with the process.” 

For larger decorations like inflatables, place them in the center of a round pen and allow your horse to move around them. 

The goal, Schadt explains, is to make the unfamiliar object feel like the least stressful thing in the environment—something the horse can learn to associate with calm and comfort.  

Once your horse is calm around the decorations on the ground and overhead, do a dry run of your photoshoot in full costume. “Before [going] to the photoshoot location, it’s crucial to ensure that your horse is fully comfortable with all decorations in a secure environment,” says Schadt.  

After completing all three steps above, you’re finally ready to book that photoshoot. 

While holiday horse photos may require a little extra prep to help them feel comfortable with decor, you can help your horse have a great portrait session in any season by: 

• Practicing solo time in new environments with your horse 
• Showing patience with your horse to keep them at ease 
• Lunging your horse before the session to expend excess energy 

Great holiday photos aren’t just about your horse—you should feel great in front of the camera too. 

Griffin’s top wardrobe tip? “Choose the ‘hell yeah’ outfit, something that makes you feel comfortable and confident alongside your horse.” 

In winter, Griffin is a big fan of cozy layers, like sweaters and shackets (a shirt and jacket hybrid). 

“You can always also dress up in holiday-themed clothes, but if this is your rare time in front of the camera with your horse, I recommend opting for a more classic outfit,” she says. 

Griffin also suggests matching your clothing tones to your horse’s coloring: 

• Cooler colors (blues, purples, greens) pair well with black, bay, or gray horses. 
• Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) look great with chestnuts, buckskins, and palominos. 
• Blues and greens are great neutrals if multiple horses are in the shot. 

Pro tip: “If you wear a sweater and plan to snuggle your horse, bring a lint roller! You’ll need it,” Griffin says. 

Whether you’re planning a fun holiday photoshoot with your barn mates or going full glam with a professional holiday card featuring your horse, the possibilities are endless once you have prepared.