MOMENTS IN FOCUS
River & Pride
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River & Pride -
One type of session that I do not do nearly enough is equine.
Similar to all my sessions, I always look for opportunities for a variety of images with horses, typically some headshot type portraits as well as some natural light images.
The most common type of portrait requested is that black background image (i.e., low key)..
It allows you to truly focus on the elegance of the animal.
The dark background really highlights the details and coloring of the horse as well.
One of my main focuses during an equine session is the angles created by the horse. Horses are gorgeous, but large animals. It is easy to find an unflattering perspective. Patience is key here!
Photographing horses takes a lot of teamwork. Typically we have a few roles in the equine session. Besides me holding the camera, there obviously has to be someone holding the horse. This person has to be knowledgeable about the movement of the horse and preferably have a trusting relationship with the animal.
This a great setup, but at least one more person is typically needed and that is the “attention-getter” (that is an industry term of course). The attention-getter has a serious but challenging role. They work hard to get the horses attention and to help find the perfect look. Especially in horses, the alert ears are vital…which is easier said than done. It is quite a scene with the noises, hat/branch waving, and jumping up and down, but it definitely could not be done without this person!
Send me a message with any thoughts or comments you have. I would love to hear it!
Tooth Truth:
A Vet Answers Your Pet Dental Questions
Recently Dr. Moyer of Five Forks Animal Clinic answered a few frequently asked questions about your pet’s dental health…read on for a few tips!
Why is dental care so important for dogs and cats?
—There’s a direct link between dental disease and heart disease, not to mention PAIN when the teeth are diseased. Plus stinky “dog breath” or “cat breath” is actually dental disease/tartar buildup!
What is the most common dental issue in dogs and cats?
Dogs
Periodontal disease…this is where the ligament that holds the tooth in the jaw detaches and makes the tooth loose. As you can imagine, this causes pain and also requires extraction…
A close second (that I see) is broken (fractured) teeth from chewing on things that are too hard. Use my “rule of thumb” …if the bone/chew is too hard to indent with your thumbnail, then it’s too hard for them to chew! Pet’s jaws are WAY stronger than their teeth and they WILL try to bite through a hard chew, breaking their tooth in the process. This creates pain and usually an abscessed tooth root. I always recommend only using VOHC approved dental chews: Accepted Products | Veterinary Oral Health Council
**DO NOT USE ANTLERS. I can’t tell you how many teeth I’ve had to extract because they were broken on an antler.
Cats
Resorptive Lesions…these are like REALLY painful cavities. The bone literally absorbs the root, but in the process creates painful cavities in the crown of the tooth. Sometimes, I can remove the crown, but many times I have to remove the whole tooth with roots included.
Why does my dog’s breath smell so bad?
Tartar/dental disease! It’s typically actually the bacteria that smells so bad.
How often should I brush by dogs teeth?
Every day! That seems impossible at first, but you can desensitize them to it with a little time. Start with them just licking the toothpaste off of the toothbrush. We really like the Jasper Finger Brush and CET Enzymatic toothpaste (the vanilla mint smells wonderful). Then, start to let them nibble on the toothbrush, and eventually you can brush the whole mouth!
What else can I do at home for my pets oral health?
“Dental Care powder” from Vertiscience (formerly Perio Support)…it has a probiotic that helps get rid of the “bad” tartar-causing bacteria and enzymes that can dissolve some of the tartar (aka plaque).
VeggieDent chews: daily vegetable based chews to help “brush” the teeth
Anything else approved by the VOHC (link above)
How often do dogs and cats need dentals by a veterinarian?
…some never need a cleaning if their teeth are brushed and cared for regularly! Some need cleanings every few years, some yearly, some every 6 months! It definitely depends on the dog/breed. If they are on soft food only, that typically leads to more tartar buildup (hard food helps “brush” the teeth when they chew it).
Thanks to Dr. Moyer for answering a few questions for all of us curious pet parents!
Questions or thoughts…I want to hear from you! If you have any ideas for future blog posts that you would like to see, let me know!
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only. Always consult your veterinarian for specific guidance and recommendations tailored to your pet’s individual needs.