What makes a horse's head plain?

[Torryvald]

This may sound like a silly question but when I was horse hunting, my instructor would refer to some horses as having plain heads. She has also told me my TB has a very plain head and said it was too pony like. Obviously to me he is beautiful and the other horses she described as being plain were also, in my opinion, lovely.

So... is it purely an subjective thing in the 'eye of the beholder', or are there certain characteristics you would look for in a horses head that would make it less plain, like big eyes or flaring nostrils (weird image in my head now!)

?

My horse is shown below in my sig, I think his mouth is a bit small but I think it makes him look a bit cheeky. I know his head is 'plain' (as people have told me that) but what makes it plain??

 

[Tia]

I am not sure why some people think that all horses are handsome - they clearly are not all good looking. I have a number of horses and some are most definitely gorgeous, whereas others are plain or verging on unattractive, in my opinion. Doesn't mean I think any less of them....but I am quite aware that some are much nicer looking than others.

Plain to me, is a boring head with no character....straight up and down....plain. Plain is such a good word to describe what it is I think.

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

I think your horsey looks lovely!
Maybe by plain, they mean one colour. But my horse's head is all one colour and he's far from plain!!

 

[Torryvald]

Oh, I like that response!! I know I am sad. He only has a wee sprinkle of white on his head. The pony next to him has a gorgeous head when she is not pulling faces(she is a section D that I had on loan) I know she is far prettier but I can't put my finger on why.

Pebble doesn't seem to care what my instructor thinks any way and once I get him a nice in hand show bridle he will leave everyone gob smacked!!

 

[Tia]

Solid coloured to me is certainly not plain. I actually dislike horses with white on them as I feel it takes away from the real makeup of the horse.

Plain is looking at the way the bones are made up, nothing to do with colour.

 

[Parkranger]

I wouldn't describe him as plain but ponyish!

As Tia said, a face with no character kind of 'bland' and no cheek definiation etc would be plain........like a shoebox head.

 

[Tia]

.....or a Jughead!

 

[Parkranger]

 

[Weezy]

Square heads are plain, there are deffo such things as "plain" heads.

 

[Torryvald]

yeah he is definitely ponyish, don't think it is like a shoebox though!!! It may change a wee bit yet though because he is still young

Maybe plastic surgery will be become all the rage one day for horses who have a head complex!!

 

[Rambo]

QR

I think it is mainly down to bone structure that decides if a horses head is plain or not....much the same as it is for humans

A sparkle in the eye, and a cute mouth can add to the overall appeal, but the shape and cut of the features are most important.

 

[*hic*]

My Section D with plain head


My Section B - exceptionally pretty head

Neither of these shots is very good - the boys are only an inch different in height and the photos are taken from the same distance away so you can see the difference in size of head!



In this shot Charlie's plain head doesn't really matter!

(clickable thumbnails)

 

[Tia]

Perfect examples.

 

[KatB]

PMSL @ square head.... my boy is referred to as block head.... does that count!?

 

[filly190]

My defination of a plain head, is a slightly common look with no class or quality. I dont consider it to be colour, but bone and conformation.

For example a horse with a roman nose, a jug head could be classed this way.

I do think that some people throw the term "plain head" around a little too freely and a lot of horses do not justify this comment.

I would only use this comment, if it were my exampled cases. I would class it as bitchy and unnecessary if the term were used towards a horse that did not warrent this term.

In past experience I have had the term used against a pony that I owned and I felt it was bitchy and horrible of the person doing so.

Therefore, dont take this comment to heart, judge what has been said in the context it was spoken and then decide for yourself if you feel a correct term and assumption were made. If you feel that it was just a little nastieness (when next speaking to this person, drop in a commnet about her horse being over at the knee) a more professional term, showing experience in confirmation and will make her sit and think a little!!

 

[TGM]

Whilst the underlying bone structure is the main factor, a little judicial trimming can improve a plainish head. In particular, a long beard under the jaw can make even a quite pretty head look more plain.

 

[Torryvald]

it is all very interesting, thank you. I love the two pics of the Welshies. I see what you mean. Good width between the eyes seems to be a factor. My instructor is completey off her rocker anyway and I find her comments amusing. I have a weird left leg according to her, it is withered (it isn't -ask my chiropractor!!)

I have a great confirmation book by Robert Oliver, it has every thing in it, but doesn't really cover this. I have been dying to know. Thanks everyone

 

[Torryvald]

In case anyone is interested, here are a couple of pics of Lord Plainess himself!! aka my Pebble!

 

[Enfys]

[ QUOTE ]
.....or a Jughead!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm, yes.......I have one that would double as a Hereford cow, to me, she is plain with very little shape to her head, but she is a good little horse that does as she's asked and I won't be parting with her for a while just because she isn't the most attractive horse in my eyes. Markings can be a lasting impression too, I like a lot of white but a wonky blaze etc can make the prettiest head look strange. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what I would class as plain might not be to the next person, personally, I like fine arab heads (not the extreme dished ones though) which are not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[clipclop]

He is definitely not a poser is he?

I have a plain boy (S) and Gerry in my Avatar is very beautiful. (I think anyway) LOL

 

[SSM]

[ QUOTE ]
For example a horse with a roman nose

[/ QUOTE ]

I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I think big roman noses are fantastic!!!!!!!!! And to be controversial - dished faces do nothing for me at all!!

Ducks from all Arab lovers!!!!!!

 

[rema]

My lad has a roman nose.I think he has a plain head--plain ugly

 

[Enfys]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
For example a horse with a roman nose

[/ QUOTE ]

I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I think big roman noses are fantastic!!!!!!!!! And to be controversial - dished faces do nothing for me at all!!

Ducks from all Arab lovers!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

How are you and Bumble today? Did that snowball hit you?! I happen to think that Cleveland bays are........



















































quite handsome really (as donkeys go!

)

 

[Halfpass]

Ok so I know what I like but not sure if what I like is plain or just what I like. What would you say about the following horse then?

 

[SSM]

We are fine, snowball melted on it's way over - it is actually lovely here today!

 

[Happy Horse]

My horse (in my avatar) had a huge roman nose. To most people he was probably plain - to me he was the most beautiful horse!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

sorry to hi jack, but what do you think my guys head in siggy?? Be honest will promise not to be offended

x

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

you can see front in this one with no main in way

[image]

[/image]

 

[Torryvald]

Gerry is stunning!! At the end of the day I do think all horses are beautiful and they bring so much pleasure. I think my boy's head and small mouth give him a slighty daft look, and like you say, it is their nature which is really important!