It seems you can’t watch a TV show or movie these days without seeing scenes filmed with a drone. This unique perspective is able to spark our imagination and give us a view of the world normally reserved for birds and frequent flyers. Aerial photography from a drone can be extra challenging because you are not only taking photos, but you are also flying a small aircraft. Getting the right exposure, accurate focus and an interesting composition while trying not to crash your drone is harder than it looks! I will admit that while trying to do drone photography of horses, my drone has gotten cozy at the top of a tall pine tree and on the side of a hill and lived to tell the tale with photos that have made my efforts pay off.
Drones and Horse Safety
Drones can cause a horse to have a negative reaction. Follow these simple tips to keep horses safe around a drone.
◆ Know and follow the FAA rules for flying a drone. If you plan to fly a drone for profit, you need to obtain a Part 107 license from the FAA.
◆ Make sure every rider knows you will be flying a drone near their horse and has given you permission to fly near them.
◆ Take off and land the drone away from horses. This is the part of flight that generally causes the biggest reaction.
◆ Start with the drone high and away from the horses and bring it gradually closer to gauge their reaction to it.
◆ If your drone is airborne and a horse spooks or gets nervous, fly
away as quickly as possible.
My personal experience has been that if you take your time and follow these tips, most horses will acclimate to the drone fairly quickly and some may not react at all.
This article on drone photography of horses appeared in the January 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
Enter Your Horse Photo for a Chance to Be Featured in the 2025 Calendar!
Do you have an incredible photo of your horse? Submit your best shot for a chance to be featured in the 2025 Horse Illustrated Equine Photo Calendar! Your entry could make it to the calendar's cover or be one of the 12 featured monthly photos, as chosen by public vote.
ENTER HERE
We use cookies to help personalize content, tailor and measure ads, and provide a safer experience. By navigating the site, you agree to the use of cookies to collect information. Read our Cookie Policy.