Quarter Markers: What to Use & Why

The idea of quarter markers and checkers on your horse is to accentuate the good points. Therefore it is important to understand what works and doesn’t work on certain types of hindquarters. Here Michael Glenn and Simon De Leeuw of SJM Equine share their expert tips.

Stripes

These single brush strokes are predominantly used on show hunters, as it creates a less busy appearance. They can also be used on an open show horse with a well developed/muscled hindquarter. Brush size, as well as spacing between the stripes will come into play here. A pony will require a smaller brush compared to a large show hunter hack. For some ponies a nail brush is all that is required. Be sure to fill your tack box with a variety of options and play around with them well before the show.

Rectangle-Shaped Checkerboard

This style of checkers (pictured to the point of the hip) is suitable for horses with a well developed/muscled hindquarter to highlight shape and definition. Alternatively for horses with less developed hindquarters, or a sloping hindquarter, take the checkers past the point of the hip, this will help the horse to look bigger over the hip and rump area. The angle you put the checkers on also has an impact. If your horse has a pointy rump for instance, don’t follow the line of the spine as this will accentuate the point. Rather, run your checkers on a slight angle away from the spine. This will draw the eye away from the point. A good healthy summer coat is essential. Checkers on a winter coat or breaking summer coat will look rough and generally highlight this fact. You might be better to go without or consider stripes if they suit your horse.

Triangle-Shaped Checkerboard

For show horses with a developed or well muscled hindquarter we use this style to highlight shape and definition. These triangle shapes look great on ponies with good hindquarters.

Tips

• The size of the comb you are using to do your checkers is also important. A hair comb can be cut to various lengths to suit your needs, for instance a small pony would need a much shorter comb than a large hack.

• For horses with a long croup we use a large comb and rectangle checkerboard. For horses with a shorter croup we use a smaller comb to fit more patterns on the hindquarter to give the illusion of more depth.

• We use and recommend MP Gloss Products - Quarter Marxx Spray. Before applying quarter marks we dampen the coat thoroughly ensuring it is smooth and sleek. Once the quarter marks have been applied we use a final coat of hair spray to set them in place.

• To achieve maximum sharpness of our sharks teeth we use a sanding block rather than a brush.

Michael and Simon are proudly sponsored by Adory Browbands, Equine Pure Pellets, JMJ Canes, MP Gloss Products and Stance Equitec.

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