Smartphones can be used for everything these days - listening to music, reading emails, surfing the internet, watching movies and, of course, taking pictures and videos. But you can also use your phone for more than taking selfies. Here are some ideas on how to use the camera on your phone with your equestrian life.
If you are looking at a new horse, snap a picture of it with your phone. Save it with as much info as possible. Ex. Brownie HappyBarnStable 010117. After looking at 3 or 4 brown horses, you won’t be able to remember if “Brownie” was the one with the white star at Joe’s Barn or the one with the white blaze at Happy Barn Stable. Taking a picture can help you remember who is who. And if you’re phone allows you to video the test ride as well.
If you see something you like on the internet, but want to see it in person at your local 
tack store, save the picture to the phone. Since tack styles are often similar with one or two small differences, having the picture can help you be sure the one you’re looking at in the store is the same one you liked online.
Conversely, if you see something you like in a store, but think you can get it cheaper online. Take a picture of the store item and save with as much info a possible. Ex. Wintec Isabell Saddle Bob’s Tack
One of the hardest things to do is to keep track of something on your horse. For example, it’s October and you want to be sure your horse stays at the same weight in January. Or you notice a lump and your veterinarian says “keep an eye on it” and let him know if there are any changes. When you see your horse nearly every day, it’s hard to remember if it really looked like THAT the last time you checked. Taking a picture to refer to can help to compare. Use a body condition guide to document your horse’s weight. Photo the lump with a ruler in the picture to indicate the size at the time.
Photographing or videoing your horse is a great help to your veterinarian in case you have to call him. What may look like an emergency gash to you may look like a medium cut to your veterinarian if he can see it before he comes out. With a picture, he may be able to instruct you how to care for it yourself and save the vet call.
The say a picture if worth a thousand words and if your horse is exhibiting odd or unusual behavior, it’ often better to show the veterinarian a video rather than try to describe it in words. A horse that is “shaking” vs. “trembling” can mean different things to a vet. So eliminate any confusion and send a video.
All of us want the perfect barn or pasture. If you are visiting somewhere and see am idea on how to improve your barn, ex. a different style of window or how to handle winter turnout, ex. a gravel sacrifice area, snap a picture so that you’ll remember just what you’d like to do at your barn.
See it, snap it, remember it. Use your phone to document what’s important in your equine life.
