When to quarter mark?

[SpotsandBays]

Talk to me about quarter marking. When do you do them? - would you do them for dressage?
Is there any horses/colours in particular that you would/wouldn’t do?
Any showing classes that you would/wouldn’t have them?
Wondering about dressage for the chonky bay one, and also for showing my 2yo bay blanket spot (I could do the sharks teeth on him but not sure about the stripes as I don’t think you’d see them over his marking).
I know nothing other than they are there to enhance how a horse looks, so any information is welcome!

 

[ihatework]

It seems to be the done thing in Eventing so, provided the coat is good, they get them routinely. Solid colours work well. I probably wouldn’t bother on a coloured or spotty and greys are a bit hit and miss. You can have a bit of fun with them in Eventing because no one really cares what you do.

Unless things have changed recently, it was much rarer to do them in dressage, certainly not at regular shows anyway. I never did them, even for championships.

Showing has a rather particular convention. I don’t go there.

 

[milliepops]

I only dressage these days and rarely see anything quartermarked but there's nothing to stop you if you wanted to.

 

[conniegirl]

Showing classes you don’t put them on m&m’s.
Most other showing classes you put them on but the style will depend on which class you do, pretty dainty one for show ponies and hacks, more robust ones for hunters, cobs and SHP.

Do not attempt to put them on a grey or on a coloured with a white bum, most of the time they just look a mess. It takes a lot of skill to get them to work on a Grey

Be careful what you put on your horse as it can create optical illusions of a horse being weak or unevenly muscled behind

I quite often pop them on my m&m for dressage, not strictly correct but not against the rules and i love doing quarter marks.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Ok thanks all! Saves me a job then haha. Picture of the spotty one just for the sake of it!

 

[SpotsandBays]

 

[Leandy]

I wouldn't bother on anything not solid coloured and they won't show on a grey. Not usually seen for dressage, no point, there are no marks for conformation nor turn out. For showing careful that you follow the conventions described above or will stick out like a sore thumb. And do practice, done well they can look fab and enhance the overall look. Done badly they just look a mess.

 

[lucy_108]

When I was an event groom, no horse left the lorry without QMs for dressage if they were a solid colour. Greys/dapples I never did them as they don't show up. Also, if you have a weak looking horse, consider the shape to enhance their bum rather than something that could potentially highlight weaknesses.

I always QM for just dressage too. I always get comments for judges on how well mine are turned out (even at local unaff prelim level) and I think it sets a good tone (and maybe distracts from some abstract moves when they spook lol!).

I agree with the above though, I'd rather have no QMs that bad ones. I learnt everything I know about them from YouTube so just practice, practice, practice until you can do it with your eyes shut. Also, a good quality and shaped brush makes the world of difference. I would steer clear of stencils as I think they look tacky and they never come out well - a good brush and QM comb will keep you right (and some shiney spray!)

 

[conniegirl]

I definitely wouldnt even attempt quarter marks on a spotty botty!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We go a big ott in racing ...

 

[Red-1]

You can have a bit of fun with them in Eventing because no one really cares what you do.

I once went eventing with a child as my eventing groom, her first time grooming and her first time at an affiliated event. She was very excited and really wanted to do a good job.

I used to do one swoop of quarter marks with a template for dressage, but she saw that and went crazy for the sj... The horse was fully 'quarter' marked. Squares from head to tail!

Did the SJ and XC just like that! Raised a few smiles, the child was so proud. I didn't have the heart to remove them and spoil her day...

You are right, the vibe at an event is so great, no one made any snotty comments at all!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I've done some that are more OTT than the above but not as standard. I have done a cascade of shooting stars down the neck and into the shoulder as well as dousing every part of the 1/4's in stars. The Edinburgh Gin logo, thistle and stars are my usual combos and in summer I add a wee star just behind the saddle each side too. I don't in winter as it would be covered up by paddock sheets and would be a waste of 30 seconds that will have no effect on winning BTO ?