Lights, camera, action

A coworker asked how I get so many good action shots of Olive.

"My horse just stands there when I turn him out," she told me.

"What are your secrets?"

"Or is she just really that wild?"

She's not.

Trust me, she's not.

When I first turn Olive out, she stands with for a few minutes nuzzling my pockets in hopes of a treat. When that doesn't happen, she wanders off and makes a slow lap around the paddock.

She inspects every pile of poop...

and samples every twig that's blown over the fence.

She checks in with the neighbors...

and lies down to roll.

Shake, shake, shake.

This routine is very important to her. If you try to rush her through it, you will be rewarded with a lot of pinned ears and crabby faces. 

So I wait.

Eventually, she will look over and make eye contact with me.

Then she'll lift her nose just a bit, as if to say, "I'm ready now."

I stomp my foot or wave my hands over my head, and that's all it takes. Olive is off and running.

Somedays all I get is a couple big trot passes. 

Other days, she really puts on a show.

Today was kind of in between.

When she's done, I call her in to me and give her a good scratch.

"Good girl, Olive. Those are going to be some amazing photos."