What is the white stuff on the horses' legs in the cross country?

[lurcherlover]

Please enlighten me...and why do some have loads of it on and others have none? Thanks

[JennerOSity]

I think it is the horses sweat. But maybe someone more knowledgeable can shed more light. :0

[lurcherlover]

I thought that at first, but it's there right at the start of the race and looks really thick, so I assume it's something that has been painted on?

[Ponders]

I think it is sweat - it kind of froths up when they're hot & excited

[Eve]

eventing grease.

its to protect their legs, and helps legs slide over a fence if they touch it, those fences are solid wood

[Ponders]

aha - it's not sweat!

I just googled & found \link{http://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/what-white-foam-96374/\this thread} with a pic

'It's a grease. It's not used in other jumping events because those jumps are designed to give to the horse if they hit the fence. In cross country, the jumps are solid, so the horses legs are greased to help them slide off them more.'

so now we know. fascinating

[Ponders]

x-posts, Eve

[Eve]

www.lillidale.co.uk/CDM40315

[Eve]

:-) if they hit a fence hard it wont obviously do much, but helps reduce minor scrapes.

[JennerOSity]

Good question - I for one now know something I didn't a few minutes ago.

[lurcherlover]

Thank-you. What did we do before mumsnet?!

[Alameda]

wibbling at some of those jumps

[TheQueenOfDiamonds]

Oh thank god I'm not the only one! Even my OH laughed at me when I said "Oh my god look how lathered in sweat that horse is".

Considering this is the man who panicked and thought all the horses had hurt themselves when they were resting their back legs, I was very red faced and quiet for the remainder of the cross country.

[serengetty]

It used to be proper goose grease