Be sure to practice (a lot) several months prior to starting your show season. You may have to mix colors to get the right shade for your horse. Opt for a lighter color rather than darker as the lighter color reflects as a highlight when you apply your last minute silicone shining spray. And just like with people, remember less is more. You are showcasing your horse, his beauty and athletic ability not your prowess with makeup.
Things You'll Need
- Horse vacuum (optional)
- Petroleum jelly
- Disposable gloves
- Clean lint free cotton cloths
- Cotton balls or cotton squares
- Small (should fit easily in your hand) natural or synthetic sponges
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Horse makeup that matches the color of your horse
- Small plastic container if you need to mix colors
- Baby powder with cornstarch or white chalk
- Hoof black
- White, black or other color creme or gel
- Toothbrush
- Hairdryer
- Silicone highlighter or baby oil
Instructions
Experiment with different products and colors until you have the ones that best match your horse's color. Do this several months before you intend to show as some products may stain or dye your horse's coat. You may have to mix colors to get your horse's exact shade.
Check with the show organizers to make sure makeup for horses is allowed in the classes you will be showing in. There are some breed associations that ban makeup or artificial enhancement of horses.
Clip, bathe and groom your horse as usual in anticipation of the show. Groom your horse thoroughly before applying horse makeup. Using a horse vacuum can reduce the time this takes.
Cover scabs the morning of the horse show with a thick (1/2- to 1 inch) layer of petroleum jelly. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Gently remove the petroleum jelly and test the scab. If it comes up easily you are ready for the next step. If the scab doesn't come up, apply another coat of petroleum jelly and wait for another 30 minutes before removing it.
Use disposable gloves when applying makeup as some products will stain.
Mix the colors prior to getting your horse out. Set everything within easy reach or have an assistant ready to hand you supplies as you need them.
Apply makeup to a clean cloth, cotton ball or cotton square. Wipe it over the area on your horse you wish to enhance or disguise (scars and scabs). Apply a thin coat working the cloth against the horse's coat to get the color to the skin and completely cover the hair follicle. It may take several applications before you have the correct coverage.
Run a clean cloth lightly over the areas you applied makeup to to remove any excess. Use a blotting motion rather than a circular scrubbing motion.
Remove makeup that has run or spread beyond the area you want it with a barely moist (wring out as much water as you can) small sponge or cotton ball.
Enhance white socks with baby powder or chalk (the kind made for horses not the kind used on chalkboards). Dampen the existing white markings with water using a small sponge. Dust white socks with the powder using your fingers to work the powder to the skin. Apply a little at a time until you have the coverage you want.
Use a soft finishing brush to flick off excess powder. Wipe the hooves clean of powder and apply hoof blacking or polish now.
Make or cover up white markings using white, black or other color cremes or gels. Spread a thin layer of the appropriate color onto the bristles of a toothbrush. Form or cover the spot by applying the creme or gel against the horse's hair. This works the color into the skin and covers the underside of the hair follicle. It may take several applications to get the coverage you need.
Use the toothbrush to brush the coat in the right direction. Apply another layer of color to the now flatten coat.
Use a hairdryer to dry the creme or gel when the marking has been made or covered to your satisfaction. Hold the hairdryer at least 12 inches from the marking. It should take 3 or 4 minutes for the creme or gel to dry fully.
Use a silicone highlighter or baby oil to enhance the muzzle, around the eyes and inside the ears of your horse. Apply to a cotton ball or cotton square and gently wipe onto the horse. Use a clean cloth to blot up excess oil or highlighter.
Remove makeup with warm water and a sponge.