❄️ Tackling the Winter Coat: Keeping Your Horse Photoshoot-Ready

As the days grow shorter and the woolly coats start to appear, it’s easy to think that winter isn’t the best time for portraits. But the truth is, with the right care and a few clever tricks, your horse can look just as beautiful and polished for their photoshoot in the colder months as they do in summer.


Whether your horse is clipped or in full coat, here’s a few tips to keep them soft, shiny, and camera-ready a for winter shoots.

🐴 For the Fluffy Ones: Managing the Natural Winter Coat


Not everyone wants — or needs — to clip their horse, especially if they live out or aren’t in heavy work. A natural winter coat can still look gorgeous in portraits when it’s well-maintained and cared for.

✨ Here’s how to keep that fluffy coat looking soft, clean, and glossy:


  • Regular grooming: Regular grooming keeps the coat free of scurf and dust. Using a rubber curry or grooming mitt to lift dirt and stimulate the skin.
  • Hot Clothing: Hot clothing to follow a brush with a curry comb, or magic brush can help wipe away all the dust and hair we bring up. I like to use boiling water, cooled slightly, with a splash of grooming or baby oil in too.
  • Rug wisely: A lightweight or medium rug can help keep coats soft and shiny in the days before your shoot..
  • Shine spray or conditioning mist: Finish with a good-quality coat conditioner to bring out a healthy, natural glow.

Even with a full coat, a well-groomed horse will photograph beautifully — those fluffy details often add extra personality and warmth to winter portraits.

✂️ For the Clipped and Polished


If you prefer a sleek look or your horse is in regular work, clipping can help them stay comfortable and easier to maintain during photoshoot season.Here’s what to consider when planning your clip before a portrait session:

🗓️ Timeline:

  • Aim to clip 1–2 weeks before your photoshoot. This allows the coat to settle and regain a little natural shine, avoiding that just-clipped look.
  • If your horse grows coat quickly, you might want a light tidy-up a few days beforehand to keep lines neat.

💧 Hot clothing for shine:

This is your best friend post-clip. After grooming, soak a cloth in hot water mixed with a small amount of coat conditioner coat oils. This removes loose hair and grease while adding instant gloss — perfect before your portrait day.

🧴 Finishing touches:

A final spritz of coat polish (avoid saddle areas) adds that luxury shine without making the coat look artificial.


Some images below of the Kinneston team getting the racehorses ready for Owner's day parade, which is a perfect example of making sure the horses are as shiny as possible

📸 Winter Portrait Prep Made Simple

Whether your horse is fluffy, freshly clipped, or somewhere in between, the key to stunning winter portraits is preparation — and a little extra care in the days before your session.

On the day, I’ll always help with final touches and make sure every detail looks perfect on camera. The soft winter light and rich tones of the season make for some of the most magical portraits of the year.