How do I take pictures like this?

I'm new to photography. What is the best way to take pictures like this (time of day, camera settings etc.)?

As you can see it's heavily edited but you can still see the original picture through the editing. I only have a Nikon D5100, and adobe Photoshop to work with.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

The background might be a backdrop which means it is nothing tricky just focus on the foreground but it it is not a backdrop and a real scene it has been edited to make it look faded and pastel.

Proper lighting does wonders for any image. Learn about this. People spend a lifetime understanding lighting.

Proper exposure. You need to learn about the exposure triangle and white balance. Shooting in auto works form many situations, but when you need absolute control, shoot in manual mode. This gives you control over shutter speed and depth of field.

Photoshop and the Camera Raw tool are great tools (Camera Raw comes with Photoshop). However, for tweaking images, Lightroom is an easier tool to use. LR uses the Camera Raw engine.
Shooting in raw+jpeg mode allows you to use tools like PS and LR effectively. The raw image file gives more latitude in adjusting images. Don't use these tools to rescue images, use them to enhance the image.

Qrk has given you some good information.

However, depending upon a 'checklist" will not prepare you for the many different conditions you will find as you venture out with your camera

The photo in your link was probably shot using a medium telephoto lens and the reins and trainers hand was removed using a program like Photoshop. Photoshop presents another learning curve you need to include in your education, although, if the photographer does a good job setting up their shots, Lightroom or Photoshop will only be used to process RAW image files and make minor enhancements of an already excellent image

You say you "only" have the Nikon D5100 and Photoshop. Those two things are fully possible of producing brilliant images. Spending $6,500 on a Nikon D5 will NOT improve your photography. Only you can do that.

Starting now, spend time learning the fundamentals of photography, lighting, and composition and in the arena of photographing animals, spend time learning about their behaviors so you will have a better chance of producing amazing animal photos

The fastest way to learn these fundamentals is to take classes in art and photography at your local community college, attend workshops and seminars. This process can take years, so do not become discouraged.

Youtube is a great resource for learning how to use specialized photographic techniques (shooting sports, portraits, landscapes, astrophotography, architecture, close-ups of subjects, etc. You can also learn lighting from simple natural or available light as well as studio lighting using from one to may ten different lamps, using light modifiers and backgrounds (including chroma key)

The link below will help you with learning how to use the elements of colour and design.

The first thing you can do is learn how to use the light meter in your camera.

Nikon has a whole list of "how to" tutorials you can access

The third link shows you what different focal length lenses "see" which will help you decide which lens will be your next

I had to chuckle a little when I read "… I only have a Nikon D5100, and adobe Photoshop to work with." You should know that your middle-of-the-road D5100 is far more advanced that the professional cameras just 10-15 years ago, and infinitely better than what the pros used during the days of film. Photoshop is the best and most powerful photo-editing software in the world. So you saying that you "only have a D5100 and Photoshop" is something that you should not think negatively about.

The photo has been edited to increase the brightness of the shadows, and it's been color corrected too. This is easy to do in Adobe Camera RAW or Lightroom. Personally, I would prefer to use Lightroom for these kinds of editing. Slide the Shadows control over to open up the shadows (horse's chest). By moving the shadows slider, you only adjust dark areas and leave bright areas unedited. Moving the color temperature over will remove the blue tones in the ground to a more neutral or warm tone as seen in the after shot.

The best way to learn Photoshop and Lightroom is to just play with it. Start with a copy of a shot just in case you accidentally save over the file. Then just goof around and have fun playing with the sliders. The nice thing about doing this in Lightroom is that you can always undo everything because all of the editing is non destructive. You can do non-destructive editing in Photoshop by using adjustment layers. A quick search on YouTube for "adjustment layers" will provide you with hundreds of tutorials.

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Nikon D5100
http://www.nikonusa.com/...d5100.html

manual PDF
http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5100_EN.pdf

Check manual guide for metering options for exposure values, they can vary depending on the lens you are using at the time, Spot metering may help with lighting in or out doors,

using Raw format allows adjusting areas better without whole image being exposed or out of gamut when using photo editors, once you have what you need, you export jpeg/jpg for use,

Photoshop has tools for adjusting exposure which in not the same as brightness or contrast, is relative to levels of rgb or format,

https://helpx.adobe.com/...light.html
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Learn photography. Light is not always the same, even at the same time or place. You must be able to adapt the camera to it any time of the day. The best way for now is to shoot in full Auto mode and control the picture through exposure compensation.

I like the original photo better. The horses would have appeared better if overexposed a little but still retaining the greenery behind them.