A rescue guide for achieving the perfect Quater Marks

Quarter marks are one of the most eye catching finishing touches you can give your horse before a show. Those crisp diamond or checkerboard patterns on the hindquarters signal a well turned out horse and a meticulous rider, but achieving them doesn't have to be intimidating with the right tools and a little practice, you'll be creating show stopping patterns in minutes.

Quarter marks are decorative patterns brushed or pressed into a horse's coat on the hindquarters. They're created by brushing sections of the coat in different directions, creating a contrast between the natural coat direction and the reversed sections. Common patterns include:

• Diamonds - the classic show ring choice

• Checkerboards - bold and striking

• Shark's teeth - a more advanced, dramatic option

• Squares - clean and modern

Before you start, gather your tools:

• A quarter mark comb - a stiff, wide-toothed comb designed specifically for creating crisp patterns

• Quarter mark spray - helps the coat lie flat and holds the pattern in place

• A soft finishing brush - for smoothing the surrounding coat

• A stencil (optional)  - great for beginners or intricate patterns

Step 1: Prepare the coat with a clean, dry, well groomed coat. Brush the hindquarters thoroughly with a body brush to remove any dust or debris. The cleaner and smoother the coat, the crisper your marks will be.

Step 2: Apply quarter mark spray Lightly mist the hindquarter area with a quarter mark spray. This helps the coat hold the pattern and adds a subtle sheen. Don't saturate a light, even mist is all you need.

Step 3: Smooth the coat Using your soft brush, brush the entire hindquarter area in the direction of natural coat growth. This gives you a clean, uniform base to work from.

Step 4: Position your stencil (if using) If you're using a stencil, place it flat against the hindquarter, centred over the area you want to mark. Hold it firmly against the coat.

Step 5: Apply the pattern Using your quarter mark comb, brush firmly against the direction of coat growth within each section of the pattern. The contrast between the brushed-back sections and the natural coat creates the pattern. Work methodically don't rush.

Step 6: Remove the stencil carefully Lift the stencil straight off the coat without dragging it. If any edges are uneven, use the tip of your comb to tidy them up.

Step 7: Finish and set Give the surrounding coat a final brush with your soft finishing brush, and apply a light mist of quarter mark spray over the finished pattern to help it last through the class.

• Practice at home first. Don't attempt your first quarter marks at a show. Practise on a relaxed horse in a familiar environment.

• Work quickly. Once you apply the spray, you have a limited window before the coat dries and becomes harder to manipulate.

• Keep your comb clean, wipe it between strokes to avoid transferring coat oils that can blur the pattern.

• Consider the coat length. Quarter marks work best on a short, clipped or naturally fine coat. Longer winter coats make crisp patterns much harder to achieve.

• Match the pattern to the occasion. Diamonds suit most show disciplines; checkerboards are popular in showing classes; shark's teeth are often seen in dressage.

With a good quality quarter mark spray, patterns can last several hours, often long enough to get through a full show day. Avoid letting your horse roll or rub against anything after you've applied them!

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Investing in a dedicated quarter mark comb and a quality spray makes a noticeable difference to the crispness and longevity of your patterns. At The Canter Club, our quarter mark tools are designed with natural, horse-safe formulations, no harsh chemicals, just beautiful results.

Have fun practising! we cant wait to see all your creations x