Three views per hoof
- Dorsal (front view)
- Solar (bottom view)
- Lateral (side view)
For each hoof (LF / RF / LH / RH): 3 views x 4 hooves = 12 photos.
Not medical advice.
This guide is about photo consistency and organization, not diagnosis or prediction.
Consistency
What "consistent" actually means.
Consistency comes from three levers, in order of importance.
- Framing - what is in the photo.
- Distance - how close you are.
- Angle - where you stand and where the phone points.
Lighting matters too, but if you nail framing, distance, and angle, you will get usable comparisons even when conditions are not perfect.
Baseline set
The baseline set you are aiming for.
Need the checklist?
Download options are below.
Setup
Before you start: the 30-second setup.
Pick a repeatable spot
- Choose a location you can use again.
- Keep the background simple when possible.
Choose even light
- Open shade is your friend.
- Avoid backlighting when you can.
Decide your orientation
- Pick portrait or landscape per view.
- Repeat the same choice each session.
Checklist
The "good enough" photo checklist.
- Hoof fills the frame plus a little leg.
- Edges look sharp (no blur).
- Similar distance to the last session.
- Similar angle to the last session.
If any box is a no, take a second shot immediately.
Views
View-by-view guidance.
Dorsal (front view)
Goal: a straight-on front view that stays centered and symmetrical.
Do:
- Stand directly in front of the hoof.
- Keep the hoof centered in frame.
- Keep the phone level with the hoof.
Avoid:
- Strong left or right angles.
- Large distance changes between sessions.
Quick cue: Front-on, centered, repeatable distance.
Lateral (side view)
Goal: a side view that is not top-down.
Do:
- Photograph from the side at hoof level.
- Keep your phone parallel to the hoof wall.
- Use the same distance each time.
Avoid:
- Shooting down from above.
- Tilting the phone forward or back.
Quick cue: Side-on, level, parallel.
Solar (bottom view)
Goal: a clear bottom view with even light.
Do:
- Make sure the hoof fills the frame.
- Reduce hard shadows across the sole.
- Take two shots if needed.
Avoid:
- Tiny hoof in a wide shot.
- Harsh shadow lines splitting the view.
Quick cue: Fill the frame, reduce shadow, sharp focus.
Fixes
The three most common problems.
Angles drift each session
Choose a stance rule and repeat it:
- Dorsal: front-on at the same distance.
- Lateral: hoof level, side-on.
- Solar: fill the frame, retake if shadowy.
Photos come out blurry
- Take a second shot right away.
- Use better light (open shade beats dim stalls).
- Stabilize elbows against your torso for a second.
Lighting changes constantly
- Prioritize even light over bright light.
- Open shade is more consistent than direct sun.
- Avoid backlit doorways when possible.
Session rhythm
Make it repeatable in one pass.
- LF: dorsal -> solar -> lateral
- RF: dorsal -> solar -> lateral
- LH: dorsal -> solar -> lateral
- RH: dorsal -> solar -> lateral
This keeps the set complete and reduces the "I will do the rest later" drift.
Labeling
Labeling so your future self is not stuck guessing.
Use a consistent format:
HorseName_YYYY-MM-DD_Hoof_View
Examples
- Juniper_2025-12-28_LF_Dorsal
- Juniper_2025-12-28_LF_Solar
- Juniper_2025-12-28_LF_Lateral
Keep notes brief
- Post-trim
- New shoes
- Footing change
Downloads
Get the baseline checklist.
Includes a one-page checklist and quick labeling format.
Download options
No email required.
Next steps in the system
Return to the hub or keep building your baseline set.