Who knew horse make-up was a thing? Row breaks out over nags wearing MASCARA and FOUNDATION for shows
A top Show Horse chief has blamed 'little girls' for rising trend in ponies 'plastered in make-up'
HORSES have been wearing mascara, foundation and even hair extensions as a new trend for equine make-up sweeps the shows.
Now a mare of row has broken out as the outraged members of the horsey set say “neigh” to the rising trend and accuse show horse owners of “pulling the wool over judges eyes.”
David Tatlow, the president of the British Show Horse Association, has blamed “little girls’ for the trend and says their nags are “plastered with make-up.”
The retired breeder raged: “I hate this make-up nonsense, I really do.
“I find it completely abhorrent. People are trying to pull the wool over the judges’ eyes.”
He added: “It’s sort of cheating because instead of grooming horses properly, they put this make-up on them.”
Products for horses include equine foundation, highlighter gel, tints, false tails and fake forelocks and there are numerous online tutorials showing owners how to apply the make-up.
The trend has prompted numerous letters to Horse & Hound magazine complaining of the “bling on show ponies and pony make-up”.
Although show horses don’t earn much in prize money, winners of contests such as the Horse of the Year Show see their value leap to tens of thousands of pounds.
David added: “The judges fall for it, especially the uninitiated ones.
“I’ve won the Horse of the Year Show 42 times and I’ve never felt the need to plaster my horses with bloody mascara. It’s been creeping in over the past few years and it’s becoming too much.”
He added: “The mothers and fathers are listening too much to their children, that’s the problem. It’s the little girls who are asking for it.”
Related Articles
But Sarah Turnbull, managing director of equestrian cosmetics firm Supreme Products, said the use of make-up was entirely legitimate but should only be applied to “enhance the appearance” of a horse or pony and “not be used to change it”
She told The Telegraph that the make-up was generally applied around the eyes and muzzle and can be used to cover “marks and scars” but should not be used excessively.
She warned. “It really makes the animal look foolish. It brings products into disrepute – and, likely, covers the handler’s clothes in black make-up.”
