[spirithorse22]

So, trying to find a photo of a canter stride to show a tattoo artist. Want to do 2 canter strides sort of twining up my ankle and am wondering how to show it's a canter stride...how to place the prints, spacing, etc. I mean, I know the look and feel of a canter but for some reason I can't verbalize the way it should look to make the most sense. Is this getting too picky? Anybody got a good hoofprint tattoo example for me to show the guy?? Also wondering if I should push for the shod look (which is what I want, shod hoof prints not barefoot hoof prints) or if that means the prints will need to be twice as big to get the clarity. Don't want the tattoo that big.

Any words of wisdom?

TIA!

[Long Spot]

This is the closest I've been able to find of a "diagram" looking down onto the sequence.

http://www.cumbrianrider.co.uk/Cumbr...20Tips%203.htm

Obviously you'd have to tweak that with art and put it all together.

[KSquared]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...DiDvGbH7n3IXqQ

Does that help at all?

[Thoroughbred in Color]

You will have the tattoo for the rest of your life. Get what YOU want. If you want shod hoofprints, then you should push for that. Take as many reference pictures of things similar to what you want as you can when you go talk to the artist. Doesn't have to be a tattoo on somebody else, it can be a drawing or photograph too.
Generally, the more detailed the design the larger it has to be to prevent things blurring together, especially if you are just doing a single color design. I think if you take in a diagram of the footfall sequence like Long Spot posted and some hoof references the artist should be able to come up with something that you will love.

[clanter]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...DiDvGbH7n3IXqQ

Does that help at all?

when our son's POA did that to my foot it broke several bones

[axl]

when our son's POA did that to my foot it broke several bones

Sorry about his foot, though!

[mvp]

I wish I could draw this.

each stride starts with one hind foot. Let's assume a left lead.

So:

Right Hind

Left Hind and Right Fore simultaneously

Left Front

A moment of suspension. In a tattoo, I'd represent this as a greater linear distance between that Left Fore and the first footfall of the next stride, Right Hind.

It might not look as good as you think once you draw out two strides and curve it around your leg. Make a pattern first and tape it on, eh?

[puddleplasher]

I guess you'll just have to:
1) find muddy arena
2) canter horse over muddy area just once (so extra footprints don't muck up the first set)
3) get on tall stepladder to see results from high enough above
4) sketch results; or find non-acrophobic artist to sketch for you.

'plash

[charismaryllis]

i've had several dressage and riding manuals over the years that had diagrams of the various gaits--hit the local library and thumb through the horse books and see if you find anything good..?

[ElisLove]

I guess you'll just have to:
1) find muddy arena
2) canter horse over muddy area just once (so extra footprints don't muck up the first set)
3) get on tall stepladder to see results from high enough above
4) sketch results; or find non-acrophobic artist to sketch for you.

'plash

Or take a pic of it.

[spirithorse22]

These are great suggestions, thanks! I took photos of the shod look I want, now I need to go find some canter diagrams-great idea. I'm wondering if I draw it out, sketch it out on my ankle, I'll decide to go with a walk stride anyway. Hmmmm...will keep playing with the design.
Thanks again!!

[TheJenners]

Walking or trotting stride will be more sensible (in the that-makes-sense way). If I saw a "canter" tattoo, I'd wonder at the spacing, and I'm a horse person. Just a thought.

[kookicat]

You could colour each foot a different colour.