I have created two designs of Leopard spotted Appaloosa horses, a mare and foal horse head clip art sets, available now at Horse-Logos.com and the Horse Clip Art category.

Related articles

• Horse Clip Art – Running Horse (alove4horses.com)
• Horse Clip Art – Rearing Arabian Horse Graphics (alove4horses.com)

To Benefit Equine Assisted Therapeutic Riding Centers

Message from Lisa Miller…

I became interested in documenting foal births in 2010 after a friend of mine mentioned she had two pregnant Thoroughbreds. I thought it would be fun to document a foal birth through photography, and even though the idea of hanging out in a cold barn in the middle of winter didn’t thrill me, the idea of being present during these births did.

I knew very little about horses and even less about birthing a horse, but for some reason I was really excited about documenting this. So when the time came for the first birth I was there and I did exactly what I’d set out to do, photograph the birth of a foal from the moment the water breaks until the foal starts to nurse. It was an amazing site to behold! Even more amazing was that the next day, as I sorted through the hundreds of images, I found two or three incredible shots of the moment when the mare and the foal first connected. It was electric how the images jumped off the screen and hit me like a lightning bolt between the eyes! I knew I had to do something with these images…but what?

The Foal Project by Lisa Miller

A few weeks later it was time for the second mare to give birth. Once again I managed to be there to document the event. The highlight of that evening: when I had to put my camera down and give a pull on a very large baby that had trouble getting out. I can’t tell you how it felt to facilitate the birth of that foal in the photo above. Her name is I’m A Bird, and she’s a beauty! Once again, the next day I was sorting through hundreds of images and sure enough, two or three images jumped out at me. They were of the same thing: that amazing moment when the mare and the foal first connect. Wow. I was stunned! These photos were breathtaking! And so The Foal Project was born. I didn’t know for whom, or for what, I just had a name and knew The Foal Project was going to help someone! I also knew I wanted to do a gallery show and maybe a book, but one question remained: Who would benefit?

As the summer progressed and my photography studio’s wedding season moved into full swing, The Foal Project lingered in the back of my mind. Foaling season for Thoroughbreds was over, but I could not stop thinking about documenting more births. I knew if I could just get the work done, the purpose for it would follow.

I met some great people over the summer who put me in touch with other great people and I started to line up locations to photograph births during the 2011 foaling season. When I asked these same people who could benefit from the money I could raise by completing this project, I learned about Therapeutic Riding Centers.

Therapeutic Riding Centers help children with autism and other challenges, as well as veterans with issues like post- traumatic stress disorder, through horse-related activities and therapies. I’ve always been an advocate for children, but I also wanted to do something in honor of my parents, both of whom are veterans (USAF). Doing something to support Therapeutic Riding Centers seemed to be the perfect fit!

So that’s how The Foal Project was born, and this is where I stand.

It’s now mid-March 2011 and the foaling season is underway. I’ve photographed several births so far, and I hope to make it to as many as possible over the next few months.

From there, I will choose one or two images from each birth showing that beautiful, energized connection between the mare and foal. I’m hoping to have a gallery show ready by mid-summer and it’s my intention to display and sell these images to raise money for Equine Assisted Therapeutic Riding Centers. Prints will be available for purchase at the shows as well as on-line, and a photo documentary of the images in a book form will also be created. I can see this show being used for other special events, and I really hope it will grow from there!

If you:

• know of an Equine Assisted Therapeutic Riding Center that would benefit from this project,
• would be interested in having me photograph any foal births,
• know of a person or business that would like to help sponsor The Foal Project, or
• simply would like more information,

please send me by email at: studiodiluce @ gmail . com (remove spaces)

Donations for The Foal Project are welcome! Any help toward paying for gas, tolls, image printing and other related expenses will be greatly appreciated!

UPDATE: First showing of the Foal Project will be held at the ROOT FARM, rootfarm.org, a local Equine Assisted Therapeutic Riding Center in Vernon, N.Y. at their open house on May 7th. More dates to follow!

Please check out Lisa’s website at Lisa Miller, Photographer studiodiluce.com

This article is a guest post from Hayley at Anything Equine (http://www.anythingequine.co.uk) who runs an online store selling equestrian clothing and equine wear.

Horse Care

As any horse lover knows, there is no better feeling than tucking your horse in to bed (so to speak) at the end of the day, knowing that they are comfortable, content and safe.  There are a few hints and handy tips that can help all horse owners do the very best by their horse.

Stick to a routine

Horses are creatures of routine, keeping them in a daily routine can be so rewarding for both of you.  The following is based upon a single horse owner and their horse being stabled at night and turned out when possible.  Despite this, the practices detailed can be followed by most,  it may just be the timings that differ.

Morning greeting

In the morning if you visit your horse daily at the same time they will become accustomed to seeing you at this time, in turn they will realize their breakfast will also be arriving at this time.  They will not only become potentially more vocal and say hello when greeting you as you arrive, but the risk of them becoming stressed by being stabled for a longer period of time will be reduced.  This helps you and your horse begin your day together on a pleasant and happy note.

After breakfast you can set about grooming and generally spending some time with your horse.  Grooming, cleaning and taking care of your horse is an important part of building and maintaining a happy relationship together.  Horses in herds in the wild spend part of their day grooming each other, essentially by doing this you are developing your friendship together.  As well as this, it also gives you the opportunity to possibly find any knocks or bruises that may have happened during the night.  Any of which can then be treated to prevent it from becoming a problem.

Once clean and their breakfast has had time to digest, you can then enjoy your daily ride.  Whether this is exercising in the school, practicing for that all important next competition or taking a leisurely hack, this is up to you.

On return from your ride, post exercise routine may vary slightly depending on what you did together.  It is essential that horses that have become sweaty and hot during their exercise be cooled off, washed off if the weather and temperature allows and a wicking rug be put on to prevent the horse from getting a chill.  If this is not the case and your horse has had time to cool off on your way back to the yard, be sure to brush off any dried on sweat and mud.

When suitably dry and comfortable you can turn your horse out into the field.  Be sure to check the water supply is fresh and readily available and all fences are safe and secure.  Once you have done this you can head back and muck out your horses stable.  Many people, knowing they will be back again in the afternoon to bring their horses in, will muck out the stable and leave it up against the sides of the stable.  This gives the stable a chance to dry out and air out over the course of the day.  This is up to you.  One small hint is not to do the horses water until you bring them in. This helps the water stay fresh and clean, rather than getting dusty and stale over the course of the day.   You can also choose whether to put your horses hay / haylage in the stable ready for later or do it when you come back.

Afternoon routine

In the afternoon on arrival to the yard you can complete your horses stable, put the bed down if applicable, fill their water, put their hay in and make up their dinner.  Then you can go and fetch your horse from the field.  Many will have enjoyed a roll, so it is important to ensure you are putting your horse to bed comfortable.  This requires you to pick out their feet, brush off any dry mud, wash off any wet mud and change from outdoor rug to indoor rug if you have decided to rug them.  Once all this has been done you can put your horse in their stable (if you have been doing this on the yard) and feed them their dinner.  Once you are sure they are settled and comfortable you can leave them to their nightly slumber.

This is a very basic, yet applicable routine that most horses will find easy to become accustomed to and happy involved in.  Of course each horse owner will know their horses and variations of this will suit their days and their horse better.

Related articles

• Feeding and Caring for Morgan and Clydesdale Horses (brighthub.com)

Secretariat – Walt Disney Movie

Secretariat - the new movie by Walt Disney

SECRETARIAT
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
Website and Mobile Site: Disney.com/Secretariat
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/Secretariat
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/SecretariatFilm

Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
U.S. Release Date: October 8, 2010

Cast: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, James Cromwell, Kevin
Connolly, Nelsan Ellis, Dylan Baker, Margo Martindale, Otto Thorwarth, Fred Dalton Thompson, AJ Michalka and Scott Glenn
Director: Randall Wallace
Producers: Gordon Gray & Mark Ciardi
Executive Producers: Bill Johnson, Mike Rich
Written by: Mike Rich
Suggested by the book: “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack

Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

Notes:
• In 1973, Secretariat became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting race records that still stand today in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
• Penny Chenery, now 88, was an integral resource in the making of the film. She appears as an extra in one of the film’s scenes.
• In 1973, Secretariat graced the covers of three magazines the same week: Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated.
• Director Randall Wallace, whose directorial credits include “We Were Soldiers,” is the Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-nominated screenwriter of “Braveheart.”
• In 1999, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a 33-cent postage stamp with Secretariat’s image.

Against all odds, housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane)—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—navigates the male-dominated horse-racing business, ultimately taking Secretariat on a spectacular journey to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time.

At this link, you’ll find all kinds of cool pictures from the film: http://media-file.net/10/secretariat/

For video clips, including the trailer and behind the scenes featurettes, please check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyMovieTrailers

Equine Classified Site with More

Tradehorses.com – horse related classifieds web site!

Tradehorses.com focuses mainly on horses and stallions; featuring horse trailers, saddles, real estate and products. You can also post ads and search among job offers, job seekers resumes, services, business catalogue / directory etc.

With Tradehorses.com you can:
- Register as a Private User, Business User or a Job Seeker; Free!
- Get advanced profile features with Business User account type; Free!
- Add classified ads in 7 main categories: horses, trailers, saddles, products, properties, services and jobs; Free Photo Ads!
- Use quick search, keyword search and advanced search forms to find exactly what you are looking for; Free!
- Contact other users – receive and send messages in real time; Free!
- Save search queries and compare lists, add listings to your favorites; Free!
… and much much more.
» Find out more about features

The Impression
Tradehorses.com aims to meet the requirements and needs of a modern internet user who is aware of a small but in the same time very important fact – it’s all about the impression. We can help You make Your impressions memorable by wrapping up Your ads in style and elegance.
» Browse listings

Free Photo Ads
If You want to buy something, You may want to see it first. Especially when we are talking about internet and online classifieds sites. Nowadays taking a picture is as simple as tying a shoelace. You can do it with almost anything – cam recorder, photo camera or a mobile phone. Forget basic text ads, bring Your listing alive by adding a picture to it. Tradehorses.com offers free photo ads to make selling online even more easier for You!
» View our listing plans

Share Your ads to the world
Facebook, Twitter and Orkut are only few channels that can help You to introduce Your product or sell Your horse or property. This is very useful option and gives You opportunity to market Your own ads. Every listing has a printable data sheet version. You can use Google Translation when using print preview. Two sets of search forms – advanced and quick – lets You find exactly what You are looking for. Tradehorses.com offers You the possibility to share and promote Your ads worldwide!
» See our features list

High expectations
We hope that You enjoy Your visit and our site meets Your expectations. If You explore further You will find that Tradehorses.com can be very helpful tool when selling or buying horses online. We are confident that You’ll find our ad sections well crafted, professionally designed and logically built.
» Search horses for sale

Communicate with others
If You are planning to sell a horse, horse trailer, saddle, horse related equipment; sell or rent out real estate; find a job or a worker; list Your services or just find other horse lovers and communicate with them through forum – please visit: www.tradehorses.com for further information.
» Go to Tradehorses.com Forum

Discounts with Coupon codes
We have Coupon code system that enables discount price in certain categories when submitting Your ad. Until the end of April we offer huge discounts in every listing category – up to -70%! Tradehorses.com offers premium listing submission with lowest prices!
» Get Your coupon codes!

Try us out – register at Tradehorses.com – it is absolutely free
We are extremely glad that You are reading this text. It means that You didn’t delete our message, You really care and You want to do something differently, maybe even better than before – You aren’t afraid of changes and You are willing to try new things. This tells a lot about someone. For Tradehorses.com team it means that You are an ideal person for us to give You this invitation: PERFECT – this is basically a coupon code that You can use when submitting ads at Tradehorses.com. It will give You 100% discount on “Premium Photo Ads” – premium photo ad listing plan lets you upload up to 6 photos and add a video link.

We are always there for You if You need any information or help regarding our web site.

» Click here to Register

Sincerely,
Raivo Vaikla
Tradehorses.com team

John Medeiros, CEO and designer of the John Medeiros Collection, has long harbored a love of horses. As a young child, he had horses, and would ride them and change the horse shoes. Ever since then, John Medeiros has thought that horses are powerful beings and that the horseshoe symbolizes strength, power, luck, and success. In fact, the shape of the horse shoe naturally inspires his creative process. The anvil collection, currently in the line, uses horseshoes as does the new Laurea bracelet, not yet available in stores.

[picasa width="400" height="400" autoplay="0" showcaption="1"]http://picasaweb.google.com/horselogos/HorseInspiredJewelry[/picasa]

The Laurea bracelet is a cuff that features interchangeable ends. The bracelet comes in four different styles, one of which is the horseshoe symbolizing luck. The LAUREA bracelet was created as a combined effort between father and daughter, John and Nina. The two wanted to create a piece that would be easily customized to its wearer and the momentous event she was marking by its purchase. The LAUREA bracelet was named for the Italian word meaning graduation and new beginnings, and comes from the same root as Laurel, which is often used to commemorate achievements. This piece is perfect not only for a literal graduation, but to mark an anniversary, wedding, promotion, birthday, or any momentous occasion.

John Medeiros Jewelry is all hand made in the United States by jewelry artisans. All designs are registered, trademarked, and backed by a lifetime guarantee program. The pieces are rhodium and 14kt gold plated and use cubic zirconium, sea shell and freshwater pearls, and Austrian crystals as stones. John Medeiros Jewelry is the fine jewelry alternative–real jewelry hand crafted from non precious metals.

Business: John Medeiros Jewelry
Jewelry Collection: John Medeiros Collection
Sara Hawley – Marketing Coordinator 
Email: shawley @ johnmedeiros . com (remove spaces) 
Phone: 401.435.4114 ext 16
Fax 401.435.4664 
Website: www.johnmedeiros.com

You might be poisoning your horse with melamine contaminate feed right now

The news doesn’t look good. I have have been finding more and more news online about feed and food contaminated with melamine, which is not a good thing to be eating. Here are just a few of the news stories I have found…

Melamine Found Contaminating Soy Meal Fed to Organic Chickens; Tuesday, December 02, 2008; by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger; 2008http://www.naturalnews.com/News_000571_melamine_organic_chickens_China.html or http://snipurl.com/71cep

90 Percent of U.S. Infant Formula May Be Contaminated with Melamine; FDA Abruptly Declares Chemical Safe for Babies

Melamine Found to Go Through Animal Feed to Food, FDA Sets Threshold for Formula; by Patricia Mayville-Cox; Nov 29th 2008 @ 2:08PM; http://www.greendaily.com/2008/11/29/melamine-found-to-go-through-animal-feed-to-food-fda-sets-thres/
or http://snipurl.com/71a78

Nestle Says Contaminated Animal Feed Responsible for Melamine in Baby Milk; Source: FLEXNEWS; 28/11/2008; 28 Nov, 2008 – Nestle has said that contaminated animal feed was responsible for levels of melamine discovered in two brands of its formula milk in South Africa ‚Äì giving credence to the possibility that the industrial chemical may be able to cross from the feed to the food chain… …A Nestle statement said: “Testing led to the discovery of melamine in a number of samples of cattle feed which is predominantly used in winter, which explains the presence of melamine traces in these batches. Consequently, Nestl√© has also taken steps to ensure that the cattle feed used by its South African milk producers is melamine free.”…
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/20732/Baby/Chemical/Food-Safety/Milk/Nestle/South-Africa/nestle-says-contaminated-animal-feed-responsible-melamine-baby-milk.html or http://snipurl.com/71ac8

Traces of Melamine Found in U.S. Baby Formula

Melamine Not Just a Chinese Problem, Says Op-Ed

Melamine contamination spreads to eggs

October 30, 2008
China’s animal feed tainted with melamine
WTOP.com reports animal feed producers in China commonly add the industrial chemical melamine to their products state media reported. http://wtop.com/?nid=105&sid=1507265 …Other ministry officials have said that the practice of deliberately adding melamine to animal feed was widely practiced, signaling that melamine contamination may be more widespread than in just baby formula and dairy products… http://wtop.com/?nid=105&sid=1507265 or http://snipurl.com/71c4t

FDA FINDS TRACES OF MELAMINE INFANT FORMULA – youtube video

Melamine Tainted Candy Appears in Another State – youtube video

Filler in animal feed is open secret in China – International …For years, producers of animal feed all over China have secretly supplemented their feed with the substance, called melamine, a cheap additive that looks …

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/30/business/30food.php

MELAMINE – youtube video; Multi-national corporate agribusiness may be poisoning our food by intentionally adding melamine to artificially boost …

Chinese Melamine Found Across the United States – youtube video

Safety In Equine Feeds …Unfortunately, there is no federal licensing requirement for a business to become an equine feed mill. There are also no federal operating standards or inspections….
http://www.myhorse.com/health/feeds/safety_in_equine_feeds.aspx#top or http://snipurl.com/71b8y

FDA Warns Staff On Major Melamine Health Risks

CLN; April 30, 2007 at 10:42 pm; My cousin in Tennessee recently had eleven Percheron mares die from kidney failure within one week. They are doing post-mortem tests, but the best guess so far is bad feed. I think this had spread further than anyone wants to admit.

http://shakesville.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/melamine-update-fed-to-poultry-much-already-processed-sold-and-consumed/

or http://snipurl.com/71ca9

So any animal feed, including your horse’s feed may be tainted with melamine right now. Tainted corn and wheat gluten from China and tainted milk powder is/has been added to so many products for both animals and humans. If you are feeding anything claiming to be high in protein then the chances of it containing melamine is even higher since that is why they add it – to make the food/feed seem to be higher in protein than it really is.

Just who is testing your horse’s feed for possible contamination? Anyone? If melamine has been found in cattle feed, fish feed, chicken feed, dog and cat food, and human food do you really think that your horse’s feed is clear of any of it? I think not.

Do you really think that the FDA is worried your horse? They don’t even care about you!

Infant formula tainted with Melamine FDA says – youtube video

By the way, did you know that over 200 cases of Mad Cow Disease are diagnosed in the US each year?

Mad Cow Disease “Are you infected?” 2 of 12 – youtube video

“Heart” Horse Poem by Monte Baker

I talked to a friend just the other day

who’s got lots of opinions and plenty to say.

We discussed what we both like to see in a horse

his requirements and mine were different of course?

He likes a clean throatlatch and a long skinny neck,

and prefers that their hocks are set close to the deck.

Short backs and hard feet and clean slopin’ shoulder,

and a gaskin that looks like it swallered a boulder.

He likes a short face and a big ol’soft eye,

and says these are the horses he’s likely to buy.

And when he’d completed his lengthy discourse,

on all of the attributes of the quality horse,

he asked my opinion, and where do I start?

And I said that I…just want horses with heart.

I said I want heart above all the other.

I don’t care if he’s Smart Little Lena’s full brother.

Or just how much money that his grandmother won,

o r whether he’s roan, palomino or dun.

But give me a horse with some grit and some try,

and some heart and some guts and that’s one that I’ll buy.

And I’ve found it’s the same with a woman or man…

the good ones won’t quit you when the shit hits the fan…

Someone emailed me this horse poem and I thought that I would share it with you. I tried to find the poem’s author online but could not. If anyone know more about the author, Monte Baker, please leave a comment below. Also post a comment on what you think about this poem. Is heart what you look for in a horse?

P.S. More horse art like the one post at the top of this page at my horse ecards site. When was the last time you sent a friend or love one an ecard about how much they mean to you?

Preventing the theft of horses and tack by Alexandra Gubbins-6647

Stolen horses and tack is a real problem

Every horse rider is aware of the problem of criminals who prey on the equestrian industry. Theft of both horses and horse tack is sadly all too common and most riders have either personally experienced one or the other or know of someone that has.

All thefts are shocking but it is particularly distressing when a horse is stolen. Equestrians usually have a very close bond with their horse and when a theft occurs, it is incredibly upsetting to not know where the horse is or what is going to happen to it.

It is also devastating when bridles, saddles or other horse riding equipment is taken not only because of the expense but also because of the time that it takes to build up a set of tack that suits both you and your horse.

The following advice centers around two different methods of stopping thieves from stealing any of your property. These are reducing the opportunity for theft and making the theft not seem worthwhile.

Reducing theft opportunities

The first way to prevent someone from stealing from you is to minimize their chances of striking with relatively little possibility of getting caught.

It can be quite easy for thieves to gain access to a property but there are only restricted options for them to get a horse back out. Hinged gates that are kept padlocked, robust fencing and thick hedges can make it very hard for thieves to remove your horse from its stable or field. It is worth bearing in mind that thieves can easily cut through wire fencing so post and rail may offer better protection.

Some thieves will prey on horses that are left unattended for regular intervals each day. If possible, try to create an unpredictable routine of visiting your horse outside of usual feeding times so that the thieves cannot be sure of the times when nobody will be around. For example, visit your horse at lunchtime or arrange for a neighbor to check that all is well at some point during the day.

Opportunist thieves will happily prey on any saddles, bridles and other types of horse tack that are left out, even if someone is on the premises at the time. The best way to protect this property is by keeping it under lock and key if you are going to let it out of your sight. Install sturdy locks on your tack room and make sure that the building is properly secured.

Even if you have locked your tack room, someone wandering past the window may catch a glimpse of your expensive leather horse tack collection. It would only take a few moments for a thief to smash the window, climb in and nab your equipment. If you are planning on building a new tack room or you are about to move into a new property, make sure you choose a building that has as few windows as possible. If you have an existing tack room, install iron bars at the windows to prevent this kind of access.

Making the theft seem not worthwhile

Thieves will be much less likely to strike if they think it will be difficult to sell on the horse or riding equipment, as this pretty much negates the reason for stealing. If you can make a potential thief discount your property as a target by carrying out just a few simple steps, you could avoid becoming a victim of crime and the heartbreak that can go with it if a horse is stolen.

Freeze marking is one of the simplest things you can do to identify your horse. It is simple, quick and permanent, and its visible nature will deter thieves from stealing your horse. This is because they know it can be used to show unequivocally that it does not belong to them and it is stolen. Also, if your horse is stolen and recovered by police, they can use this distinctive mark to reunite you with him or her.

Many horse riders are now getting their animals microchipped. While this is not a visible deterrent, some prefer this kind of identification instead of or in addition to the white branding of freeze marking. If the horse is stolen and then scanned at some point, the information contained within the microchip will facilitate the tracing of the owner.

On a similar note, marking all of your horse tack with your telephone number or postcode is an excellent way of putting criminals off and ensuring its safe return should it be recovered as stolen property. It is also possible to get your saddle stamped with a special identification code. Many police forces run tack marking campaigns or services so it is well worth checking with your local force on this point.

Investing in basic technology around your stables and yard can also be a very good deterrent to thieves. It can be very useful to fit CCTV, a burglar alarm and lights, as well as having large notices stating as such.

Preventing the theft of horses and tack Article Summary:

Some simple advice on the things equestrians can do to deter thieves from stealing their horses, as well as their horse tack.

Preventing the theft of horses and tack by Alexandra Gubbins of Dogwood London suppliers of leather saddles, bridles and equestrian clothing.

Article Source: ArticleCo.com

Protect your horses, tack, and property

Stolen Horse International, Inc. ~ NetPosse.com Resource information for preventing theft and finding stolen/lost horses. Listing of current stolen horses online.

Horse security

Horse Identification Learn more about: Freeze Branding, Microchiping, Lip Tattooing, Hoof Branding, and Freeze Marking.

Horse-related security – protect your riding gear and horses from thieves The theft of horses and their expensive gear is an ever-present threat. Neil Clarkson looks at ways to deter would-be thieves and rustlers.

Horse for sale videos increase sales

I just did a search on YouTube for “Horse for Sale” and 6,300 horse videos pop up in the search results! That is a lot of ‘horses for sale’ videos on one site. One video received 72,447 views! Since YouTube now receives twice the page views as Google my guess is that many people are finding and buying horses because of these posted horse videos. People are successfully selling horses using video — Are you?

In fact I bet that if you are just using still photos and text on your site or posted to one of the horses for sale listing sites that you are not exposing your horse to as many potential buyers as you possibly can. Marketing tests prove that video does a much better job of showing off your product and motiving a person to purchase. Videos have increased conversions by nearly 50 percent! Isn’t it time you start marketing your horse business with videos?

Why Video to Sell Horses?

When selling your horse on the web, quality videos are essential to provide potential horse buyers a clear idea of your horse’s form, movement, manners, and personalty. Good video production takes time and work, but properly made videos help sell horses in a completive marketplace and help you receive the top price for your horse.

The time to make videos of your horse is not when someone requests to view one. You should plan ahead and make the videos a major part of your marketing plan. In fact videos should be the most important part of your horse marketing.

It takes time and money to make DVD copies of the final videos to mail out to prospective customers that request them and some people request videos just because they enjoy watching videos of horses. You could charge a refundable deposit fee that covers the cost of the DVD and shipping.

Web videos

Post your horse videos online — instantly viewable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer on earth with an Internet connection. If you post them on sites like youtube and the other free video posting sites you don’t even have to worry about bandwidth costs either.

Increase sales with online video ads 2008

Video Equipment and Knowhow

Top of the line video equipment is not required to begin creating video for web display. In fact some people shoot decent video footage with their cell phones and digital cameras that have video options.

If you are on a tight budget and like small, simple to use video cameras then you should consider one of the Flip Video Cameras.

Review: Pure Digital Technologies’ Flip Video Camera

Videotaped with the Flip Video Camera

Of course if you have top dollar horses for sale and have a decent marketing budget, then I highly recommend having professional video shot by someone that specializes in horse video productions. Make sure to check references and view past client videos before making your selection of which video company to hire. Some professional horse photographers are now shooting video too. Does your local photographer shoot video? Find out!

What to Video

Your video presentation should cover important points of interest to a horse buyer. Some areas to consider videotaping are…

• Under saddle or harnesses: dressage, jumping, cross country, reining, trail riding — whatever skills in whatever discipline your horse it trained for and good at.
• Horse Show; include footage of any past trophies or ribbons.
• In hand segments; include close-ups of the horse’s conformation without tack
• Free Lunging, to show the horse’s true movement
• Lunging: under your control with changes in gait and direction
• Free Jumping
• In hand Obedience: tacking up and untacking, leading
• Horse care Obedience: vet visit, farrier, worming, shots, bathing, clipping, trailer loading, etc…

You don’t have to put everything in one long video. In fact is better if you make a few short videos that cover different areas — one showing the horse under saddle, one showing the horse’s ground manners, and one demonstrating the horses movements when free lunging or jumping. You want to cover enough in the videos to give someone a good overview of your horse’s training and abilities. This will help them feel confident in making an appointment to meet your horse or to even decide to purchase online just from the videos and reading your horse’s description (your sales copy). Specially if you offer a good guarantee or trail period. Don’t forget to have a good sales contract made and signed.

Make a video blog of your horse for sale and embed the videos into your blog or website pages. Update your site with new video clips as your horse learns more.

Audio Sales copy: the video sound track

Words

Write out all that you want to say in your video to make sure you cover all the selling features of your horse. You can add the voice over to the video (recommend) or talk while videotaping. Also put this the horse’s info on text on the page too.

Here is the sales copy for a horse for sale on the internet. Read it for ideas of what you may want to include in your audio and text for your horse for sale listing:

White Gelding Cepillo, this gelding is good on the street, trails, ring, and wherever else you want to ride. He does not spook at any of the parks nearby, not even with gun shots. My son is only 7 and he rides him anywhere. He is safe enough for him to ride around our neighborhood and in parades. Walks, Trots, Canters on commands. Neck reins or direct reins. Loads, clips, bathes, saddles with no problems. Safe for kids. Used to dogs, cats, goats, chickens, and OK to work with cows. He is 9 years old. He is dead broke and kid safe. This versatile horse is great for anyone to ride. No bad habits. No vices. Pretty Mover.

Music

Music can deeply stir the emotions and you should take your time in its choice. You want the music in the video to add to the video, but not overpower the images. Uplifting and inspiring music that puts people in a good mood is best. Consider songs about horses to really heighten the emotional response of equestrians. If you are not ready to make videos yet you consider make photo slide shows with music. Check out sites like Slide.com that allow you to make photo slide shows for free that you can embed into your web pages.

Youtube Videos of Horse for Sale

Sporthorse / Dressage horse for sale : Southside Flyer

Note that they added a title clip at the begging and the end of the video that shows their website address (URL). You should always mark your videos with your URL for videos posted on video sites or that someone may download.

Reining horse for sale

Also consider posting videos or a video slide show of photos of the horse’s dam and sir, specially if a top breeding sir.

Argentinus the Legend

Video Resources and Tips

Shooting Video to SELL the Horse! Good step by step article with photos with the info you need to know to get good videos of your horse for sale. Print it out as a blue print or check list.

Traffic Secrets 2.0 Watch this video to learn what cutting edge video creation is. High quality video with some fantastic effects — and some great free tips on how to get more people to view your site’s content. A must see.

Making Money With Youtube Videos Video marketing tips

Make Money on Youtube by Uploading Your Video Tips on including your live clickable link back to your website from your youtube videos.

5 Ways to Make Money on YouTube NOW! Tips on posting videos to youtube and making some cash. Watch this with your horse business in mind and I bet you come up with some great ideas of your own.

How to get stinkin’ RICH on YouTube!!! Video posting tips – short videos, tag the videos right, allow video replies.

Best Way To Increase Website Conversions Again watch this video with your horse business in mind. What can you do to get people to want to return to your horse site again and again – maybe tell them you will be posting updated videos of the horses for sale as their training progresses.

How to learn to make video…

Stomper Vision – How web video will transform YOUR online business Watch the video case studies of how video improves sale conversations.

Make it easier for people to pay you

You can make it easier for people buying your horse to pay you by taking payments (or the purchase deposit) online through PayPal. You can add a buy-it-button under your video clip. I am seeing more off line businesses (like veterinarians) offering this payment option. I believe your horse buying clients would appreciate the convince too.

You can even set up payments over time with PayPal’s subscription payments.

When you make it easier for people to pay their bills you are more likely to see you money and faster too. PayPaloffers a fast, affordable and convenient online payment service for businesses of all sizes.

If you have had luck with selling horses with videos please leave a comment below and let us know about it. Thanks!