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Horses
Horses make for a fantastic subject for photography. They have played a major role within our society for millennia, so deserve to be included in this album. Over the years, I have taken photographs of horses in various roles and settings.
To view the various photographs, you can just scroll down the page to see all the photographs in turn, as per the general layout in this album, or click on either of the main subjects below to go directly to that section on this page:
12 December 2024, Leica SL(601), Apo-
Fell ponies on Oxenholme Fell, Cumbria, looking rather relaxed.
General portraits
Heavy Horse Ploughing
Ringrijden in Zeeland, The Netherlands
12 April 2025, Leica SL(601), Apo-
Spotted this pair on a walk between Grosmont and Beck Hole, North Yorkshire.
10 April 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 100-
In a field in with the industrial landscape of Teesside behind.
10 April 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 100-
14 April 1993, Minolta 7000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/45sec @ f/4.5, Fujichrome ISO 50.
14 April 1993, Minolta 7000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/30sec @ f/4.5, Fujichrome ISO 50.
Photograph details unknown -
Photograph details unknown -
One of the heavy horses at the Bradford Industrial Museum, offering a window to the past to how we used horses ‘back in the day’. Sadly, the horses are no longer a feature at this museum.
Photograph details unknown -
On board and on the move. It is when you experience this you appreciate the raw power of these incredible animals.
Photograph details unknown -
Photograph details unknown -
Photograph details unknown -
Photograph details unknown -
Here we are the Staintondale Shire Horse Farm near Scarborough, with owner Tony Jenkins showing off these magnificent horses with horse brass decorations. A very enjoyable day out, but sadly, this is no longer open to the public.
Photograph details unknown -
Heavy Horse Ploughing
A throwback to a bygone era, ploughing fields with heavy horses is now more or less a pastime undertaken by people who may well have had ancestry who ploughed with heavy horses in a time before tractors and modern techniques. For photography, it makes for a simply fantastic subject. The photographs here were all taken during ‘ploughing matches’, where people undertake this activity in a competition. I have no idea what the criteria is for deciding who the winners are; I am presuming they are marked based on how straight they plough and the control they have of their horses. It certainly looks hard work!
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2000, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Apo-
Taking a breather.
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Elmarit-
23 August 2003, Leica R6.2, Summicron-
All dressed up.
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Vario-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Summicron-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Summicron-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Apo-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Summicron-
7 October 2012, Leica R6.2, Summicron-
Ringrijden in Zeeland, The Netherlands
Ringrijden, or ‘ring riding’, is a traditional sport that takes place in a number of towns and villages across the province of Zeeland in The Netherlands; I believe it takes place in other areas, but is most popular in Zeeland. My mother was born in the port city of Vlissingen in the province, so I have seen this activity on numerous occasions when I have visited Zeeland. The general idea is to ride a horse in full gallop along a straight track with a lance, and attempt to catch a ring with the lance, which is located on rope tied between two poles. It is one of those things that is obviously much harder than it looks! From a photographic perspective, it makes for attractive images, because the events usually take place in the middle of the town or village, so the images are an interesting juxtaposition between modern buildings and horses.
31 July 1993, Minolta 7000, Minolta 100-
This was in Vlissingen, behind the main shopping area. Note the camera shop behind, my kind of place!
31 July 1993, Minolta 7000, Minolta 100-
20 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Sigma 70-
Taking this type of photograph, where the horse is in full flight, shows off the sheer power of these animals; you can almost feel the ground shake!
31 July 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/90sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.
Not just single riders -
31 July 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/90sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.
31 July 1993, Minolta 9000, Minolta 28mm f/2.8, 1/90sec @ f/8, Fujichrome Velvia ISO 50.
20 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Sigma 70-
20 August 1998, Minolta 9000, Sigma 70-
