PHOTO & VIDEO GUIDELINES
Anyone applying for registration is required to submit one full side view of their horse with all four legs visible and the head tilted slightly toward camera.
Those applying for "QM" or "Breed Up" Breed Standard Evaluations are required to submit five photographs: 1) full left side view, 2) full right side view, 3) rear view, 4) front view and 5) headshot. Those who are applying for Breed Standard Evaluations will be required to capture video too. Here are some tips and tricks to capturing quality photos and video. To get started:
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The horse should be clean, with no saddle or harness
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All white markings should be visible – braid forelock and tail if necessary
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Allow adequate space around the animal – Do not crop into the horse
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If image editing, do not apply color or distorting filters
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Submit images online, email to registrar@europeanbrabant.com or by mail to 407 Woodland Rd Mercer, PA 16137
Background
Level & Clutter Free
Find a location that is relatively level and free of clutter where you can tie your horse, or have a helper hold them, to take the photos.
Side Views
Camera Orientation
The camera should be positioned horizontally while capturing all side view photos.
Camera Position
Position the camera center-mass of the horse (mid-ribcage) and lower yourself until the horizon line goes straight through the middle of the horse. Imagine there’s a grid over your horse and try to keep shoulders and hips squared within the grid. This will ensure you are truly square to the horse and not capturing any unwanted distortion that may skew their conformation.
Portrait
Camera Orientation
When capturing the portrait, be sure to orient the camera vertically. You should see both eyes, nostrils, ears and any white facial markings. Braid the forelock if necessary.
Camera Position
Center the camera on the horse’s face, then lower yourself until the horizon line goes straight through the middle of their body. Imagine there’s a grid over your horse’s face and try to balance their face within the grid. This will ensure you achieve a true full-frontal portrait.
Full Front/Rear Views
Camera Orientation
When capturing the rear and front views, be sure to orient the camera vertically.
Camera Position
Center the camera on the horse’s chest and/or tail, then lower yourself until the horizon line goes straight through the middle of their body. Imagine there’s a grid over your horse and try to balance their body within the grid. This will ensure you are truly square to the horse and not capturing any unwanted distortion that may skew their conformation. Braid the tail if legs are not visible.
How-To Video
Please take a moment to watch this instructional video on capturing photos for horse registration and evaluation.
Video Guidelines
Anyone applying for Breed Standard Evaluations are required to submit a video, which shows the horse at the walk and trot. The horse should be clean, with no saddle or harness and led in-hand for the recording.
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Background: Find a location that is relatively level and free of clutter, large enough to lead your horse in a minimum 30’ triangle.
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Camera: Whether you prop your recording device up on a fence, use a tripod or have someone record for you, ensure the platform is level and stable.
Camera Position
Situate the camera so it is at the horse’s chest height, ensuring it is level and secure before pressing record. If handheld, do not move the camera excessively.
Walk & Trot a Triangle Pattern
Angle your horse 45 degrees from camera and walk out 30 feet, turn left and walk parallel to camera another 30 feet, turn left and walk directly back toward camera. Repeat the same pattern at the trot. If you or your horse handler would like to do this twice, that is acceptable. More footage provides evaluators a better view of the horse’s movement and will work to the applicant’s advantage.
Walk & Trot Out & Back
Walk your horse in a straight line away from the camera 30 feet, turn and walk straight back. Trot your horse in a straight line away from the camera 30 feet, turn and trot straight back. If you or your horse handler would like to do this twice, that is acceptable. More footage provides evaluators a better view of the horse’s movement and will work to the applicant’s advantage.
NOTE: The use of aids such as a stick-and-string, lunge whip, carriage whip and sack-on-a-stick are permitted to encourage horses to trot. Absolutely NO hitting, slapping or whipping with a hand, lead rope or whip. If an aid appears to make physical contact an animal, it will be deemed abuse, the application will be halted and the applicant’s Membership suspended until the Board of Directors reviews the video in question and additional evidence, interviews the applicant and votes to reinstate or revoke Membership. If Membership is reinstated, the application will be restarted.
Photo and Video Editing
If you’re recording the video with your smart phone, there are convenient phone apps, such as InShot, iMovie, and Splice that provide easy video editing to compile your recordings, edit out sound, fix exposure and export one video file.
If you’re using a traditional camera, there are computer-based video editing programs, such as QuickTime which provide basic splices and trims to combine your recordings.
Do not apply color filters or novelties to photographs or video. The horse’s name may be added in the lower left-hand corner of the videos only. Always choose the best possible resolution and file size to ensure maximum quality. You may submit your video file through the website, via email to Registrar@europeanbrabant.com or a thumb drive or cd mailed to 407 Woodland Rd Mercer, PA 16137.
How-To Video
Please take a moment to watch this instructional video on capturing breed standard evaluation videos.