[Sandra-A1]

Here is another way of clipping and oiling that I do not care for.
You are seeing it more and more, both in the show ring and in advertisment photos. Just the top of the eye is shaved and oiled.
It is supposed to create the illusion (from a distance) that the eye is actually larger that it really is...at least some people think so.
I think it is misrepresenting the horse myself.

[Heavenly Jumper]

Reminds me of a white dog with a black patch over one eye...

Why groom to deceive? I understand to enhance what you've naturally got...but that's too far IMO.

[mtroika]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

Here is another way of clipping and oiling that I do not care for.
You are seeing it more and more, both in the show ring and in advertisment photos. Just the top of the eye is shaved and oiled.
It is supposed to create the illusion (from a distance) that the eye is actually larger that it really is...at least some people think so.
I think it is misrepresenting the horse myself.

Totally agreed here! I cannot stand this newer clipping around the eye thing...... I think it looks completly rediculous IMO.

When I first bought my mare and brought her home from Washington all of her hair hadnt grown back from her show clip in Scottsdale.... And I hated her like it uggg!

When I went to Scottsdale this year, and watched some of the halter classes, those horses were SOOO oiled it was embarrassing!!
A couple did just have light oil on them and they looked great! I will NEVER over oil or clip my mares eyes....... Even though people are saying you have to its the trend... What an ugly trend IMO. Looks like the horse has a black eye LOL

[keaneequestrian]

that is so ugly, why not let the horse's beauty speak for itself?

[Sheza_Angel]

Clipping around the eyes? I have heard of it but I wouldn't want to do it myself. Don't like the look of it. I have had to put a minimal amount of oil on the face of a colt I showed in the past, but never that much!

[Blondehorse]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

Here is another way of clipping and oiling that I do not care for.
You are seeing it more and more, both in the show ring and in advertisment photos. Just the top of the eye is shaved and oiled.
It is supposed to create the illusion (from a distance) that the eye is actually larger that it really is...at least some people think so.
I think it is misrepresenting the horse myself.

I don't care for it either... looks like somebody popped the horse a good one in the eye!
I like to look at the Polish horses, with their unclipped bridlepaths, natural eyes/muzzles, and whiskers. They look so beautiful and exotic, like they stepped right out of the desert. Maybe it's just me, but I think the natural look is prettier... but then, I like unclipped poodle dogs, too.
Maybe if all the people who don't like the balding and excessive oil would show their horses in a more naturally groomed manner, the judges would *have* to place some of them, and maybe it would catch on and become the new fad!

[Huntseat]

I don't like the balding or excessive oil, but I like enough to make it pretty shiny. I like a happy medium between the first two and the third picture that WashingtonBay posted.

This is Melody with enough oil to enhance her features but not so much that she looks like her face is going to start melting IMHO.

[Sheza_Angel]

Originally Posted by Huntseat

I don't like the balding or excessive oil, but I like enough to make it pretty shiny. I like a happy medium between the first two and the third picture that WashingtonBay posted.

This is Melody with enough oil to enhance her features but not so much that she looks like her face is going to start melting IMHO.

That seems to sit just right in the middle and look very pretty! If only it was more favored to do this at Scottsdale!