
06/08/2025
Beauty for Asses: The Mane Event That Changed Moriarty Forever
MORIARTY, NM — In a town known for its windswept plains, suspiciously well-coiffed tumbleweeds, and a population that outnumbers its horses by a mere handful, one salon dared to ask the question: Why should humans have all the highlights?
Founded in 1987 by local visionary and part-time rodeo clown, Glenda “Giddyup” Martinez, Beauty for Asses began as a humble grooming shack behind the feed store. Legend has it Glenda was inspired after a particularly judgmental donkey named Carl refused to participate in the county fair until his bangs were “less tragic.”
Originally catering to the grooming needs of stubborn livestock, the salon quickly gained traction among humans who admired the glossy manes and confident struts of their four-legged counterparts. “I saw what she did to Carl,” said longtime client Doris Hinkle. “He went from barnyard to Beyoncé in one afternoon.”
By the mid-90s, Beauty for Asses had expanded its services to include perms for ponies, balayage for burros, and a controversial “mane extension” program that briefly involved repurposed tumbleweed. The salon’s motto—‘If it has hair, we care’—became a rallying cry for the follicularly ambitious across Torrance County.
In 2003, the salon faced its greatest challenge when a mule named Randy sued for emotional distress after receiving what he described as “a Karen cut.” The case was settled out of court with a lifetime supply of detangler and a public apology from Glenda, who admitted she was “experimenting with layers.”
Despite the scandal, the salon’s reputation only grew. Tourists began flocking to Moriarty not for Route 66 nostalgia, but to witness the annual “Asses of Elegance” showcase, where local donkeys strutted down a glitter-strewn runway to the sound of Dolly Parton and distant coyotes.
Today, Beauty for Asses stands as a pillar of the community—a place where dignity is restored one hooficure at a time. The salon now offers “Desert Glam” packages, including cactus-infused conditioner and rattlesnake fang exfoliation (for consenting clients only).
When asked about the future, Glenda’s daughter and current salon manager, Trixie Martinez, said, “We’re looking into alpaca lash lifts and possibly a podcast. People need to hear these stories. The world needs more beauty. And more asses.”