Love love love the horse shot!! There was a big thing on doing portraits in front of the barn hall for this effect on EPN. Always works out beautifully. I agree with you that a nicer halter would have made a difference.

I like the first one with the looser crop, gives it the space the rough and tumble aussies need.

I wish the 2nd and 3rd were larger, as they look really nice, but hard to see much as that small size. The pose in #2 is wonderful. You really captured a great emotion in the portrait!