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HappyHorses:)

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If your horse has striped hooves do you put a clear hoof oil on them or black them out?

Horse in question is a golden buckskin with white stockings behind and half white socks in front.

Some are telling me to blacken them out as it looks more striking against the white socks but didn't know if this is really accepted in the world of showing?

Opinions please! :)
 
I'm thinking about this at the moment too, having started to have a go at coloured showing.
Generally people blacken the hooves all round, I think you should too, it does look more striking and a top producer has a theory that it detracts the eye from windgalls and such.
Having just read the CHAPS showing guidlines, they recommend not blacking out white hooves for coloured horses, but then they mostly have white hooves alround and may look a bit odd.
 
I would always use clear some judges really dislike the black hoof oil and tbh it is really obvious when hooves have been painted black and I think it looks really naff.
 
If you are going in a breed or colour class check the rules they are going by as some insist that the horse be shown without hoof paint.

I personally don't like the 'black' hoof paints but prefer the clear paint as it is more natural especially if the horse has socks as well as a striped hoof.

Scrub the hoof well with a pot scourer - the cloth type - to get all the marks off - makes the overall look better.
 
The top producer that i work for always blackens the hooves.

Personally, i think that if your horse has more black than white on its hooves then blacken them. if its more white then paint them clear. once you have been to a couple of shows, you should be able to figure out what other's do and what the judges prefer.

Best of luck.
 
On the pony I always use clear - partially because if I use black you can guarantee I'll get it on her white socks :rolleyes: On the horse I use a blackish clear one (if that makes sense) as her hooves are a funny blue/grey and she has black legs.
 
I show arabs and under arab horse society rules it must be clear (unless a completely black hoof!!!)

I would always use clear anyways, black hood polish even on black hooves looks ridiculous imo!!!
 
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