I have a friend who rode as a kid and is now a Hollywood makeup artist. She has done side work putting makeup on Arabians for breed shows.
It’s likely not mascara, you can get this effect by clipping around d the eye with a 40 and rubbing in some baby oil . We do it for Arab shows.
[QUOTE=LJD;8682594]
Could also just be a clean, old mascara wand used to comb out his lashes…[/QUOTE]
You can increase the size of the image to see that isn’t the case.
Oily around the eye and painting something ON the lashes (see photo) are two different things
Did you look at the photo st_francis? Definitely mascara.
I find it interesting that they are taking the time to apply mascara, but didn’t clip and whiskers around the eyes…I know some folks think they should be left as ‘feelers’ but wouldn’t think those same people would think makeup around the eyes is a good thing.
I think a lot worse things are done to horses. I am sure it is taken off at the days end. It’s not toxic anyway, so what is the harm?
[QUOTE=Darkwave;8682310]
Came across this picture from Devon.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/photos_videos?page=0&nid=68242
(edit: the above link is the collection; the actual photo is here: http://www.chronofhorse.com/sites/default/files/WEB_mascaraDSC_6502.jpg)
It’s been 30+ years since I’ve shown ponies, so I’m a bit out of the loop. I know that fake tails are a thing, and have been so for a while. But MASCARA? When did that start happening? Or is it something else?[/QUOTE]
This has been around for a long time (70’s a& 80’s), along with black shoe polish on the points of greys, fake dapple markings, and vaseline on all the muzzles and eyes. It’s just more noticeable now with social media and the advent of more pictures.
The pony actually looks like it is enjoying it. Personally, I would be afraid to poke the pony in the eye. I have heard of trainers using Botox to keep ears forward which I think is insane bc you could hit a nerve and damage the pony forever. The lengths people will go.
As someone who has shown pony hunters and hunter breeding ponies for 15+ years, all I can say is what the frack?!? :eek:
I can’t imagine it would be that noticeable in the ring. You have to be pretty close to someone (or some horse lol) to even realize they’re wearing mascara.
I agree it’s far from the worst thing I’ve seen done to a horse, but it’s kinda pointless if you ask me.
A number of years ago I went to the Scottsdale Arabian show and wandered around the barns. I was amazed at the preparations for the models–mascara and eye shadow were commonly used to make the eyes look bigger. The eye shadow was sort of tapered to a point on the inside toward the muzzle, which made the face look more refined. I guess that is important in Arabian model classes.
My non-horsey husband of course asked me if I did that for my little schooling show hunter classes–“No, dear.”
[QUOTE=mayhew;8682702]
Did you look at the photo st_francis? Definitely mascara.[/QUOTE]
Sure did, looks like pony is mid blink to me in first photo, other photos clearly show grease around eye.
I agree with the poster who said the best part of gray is frosty lashes :love-struck:
Darn cute pony!
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8682500]
More interesting to me is what bit is the pony using.[/QUOTE]
Looks like a rubber - possibly Mullenmouth - D
Never seen those nubs on the mouthpiece though…
:lol:
I used to carry a lipstick in my showgrooming Emergency kit.
Trainer would ask “Are you wearing lipstick?” before I went into the hunter ring.
I was not. Ever.
But I could pull that tube from my pocket at the ingate & nod.
Carrying = Wearing, right?
[QUOTE=st_francis;8683132]
Sure did, looks like pony is mid blink to me in first photo, other photos clearly show grease around eye.[/QUOTE]
But in the photo the hand is clearly going at it with a mascara wand (or something that looks like a mascara wand). That’s what people are commenting about.
:rolleyes: :eek:
I haven’t looked for the article but those whiskers on muzzles and eyes are antennae like, and you do no horse a favor clipping them.
Just another thing to add to the owners monthly bill, Cosmetics!! This is crazy!! When I showed on the Appaloosa circuit this was not a thing. Does this really make a difference in the models?
I’m going to write a book. “Contouring for your Pony.”
[QUOTE=vxf111;8683257]
But in the photo the hand is clearly going at it with a mascara wand (or something that looks like a mascara wand). That’s what people are commenting about.[/QUOTE]
Oh, Ha! There it is! I did wonder what on earth you all were talking about! Well the first 3 pics certainly show a clip/ grease job 
FWIW in Arabs we do not use makeup, coloured products are illegal, only clear products can be used. The effect you see is done with clipping and various shine/ oil products. Black hoof polish is allowed on black hooves in performance.
I believe the idea is that it will make the pony’s eye look bigger if half of the eyeball is not covered with white hair. But, yes, pointless.
